A tolerant immune system is essential to well-being. When we lose immune tolerance, we experience problems such as allergies, which are exaggerated responses of the immune system. The most conventional thinking about allergy focuses on the immediate provocations, the Type 1 immune responses. However, it may be that delayed mechanisms (Types 2, 3, and 4) are a major factor in the development of the acute allergic reactions. The delayed responses are an important mechanism by which the body shifts from tolerance to hypersensitivity.
When healthy, any foreign immunoreactions (‘antigens’) that gain entry are promptly identified, engulfed, and recycled by our ample supply of dendritic (phagocytic) surveillance cells (1-4). In contrast, when burdened by maldigested antigens from dysbiosis or intestinal pathogens and parasites, our immune defenses are less able to neutralize infections or aeroallergens (4-13). Under these conditions, our body defers needed repair, develops inflammation – more aptly described as repair deficit, and expresses the signs and symptoms of delayed allergic autoimmune and immune dysfunction pathologies (1-7).
Increased intestinal permeability occurs when repair is deferred in the microbiome. People then become hospitable to chronic autoimmune and degenerative illnesses like thyroiditis, fibromyalgia, migraines, and other expressions of acquired self-attack. Detection of true delayed allergy / hypersensitivity reactions to foods and chemicals can provide answers to the host hospitality to chronic illness.
The most accurate method of identifying delayed immune responses involves an ex-vivo cell culture of the patient’s lymphocytes. LRA (Lymphocyte Response Assay) is the gold standard test for identifying delayed to responses to more than 500 foods, chemicals, additives, preservatives, FD&C food colorings, therapeutic herbs and more. The information revealed through LRA tests is a vital component of any plan to restore immune tolerance. The main goal being to guide individuals to eat foods they can easily digest, assimilate, and eliminate without immune burden.
Because inflammation is expressed differently in every body there are many conditions that could benefit by using LRA tests as a first line approach. Combining LRA tests with a standardized health appraisal questionnaire and an alkalinizing dietary and lifestyle plan have been shown in community-based outcome studies to help restore tolerance, repair natural detox ability and to achieve sustained remissions in chronic autoimmune and immune dysfunction conditions
How do we repair the damage, restore tolerance and reduce inflammation? It’s not as simple as just avoiding food & chemical sensitivities.
ASCORBATE AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Adequate amounts of PERQUE Potent C Guard can provide rest to the body’s immune system and boost hormonal and neurochemical function. Additionally, buffered ascorbate functions as a steroid-sparing agent, a detoxifying agent, and it is also an electron donor. Ascorbate is uniquely able to donate an electron and restore ATP generating capacity to the mitochondria of the cell thus increasing its energy output. PERQUE Potent C Guard is a fully buffered, fully reduced, non-corn sourced, form of ascorbate, with the potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc buffering minerals that can help neutralize excess cell acids.
How much ascorbate someone needs is dependent on how rapidly they are using up their ascorbate. The answer to that is based on what is called the ascorbate calibration. This is a method that each individual person can use to determine how much ascorbate they need at a given point in time. For best clinical results in allergic conditions, this ascorbate calibration would need to be repeated on a weekly basis. (14)
Ascorbate functions as nature’s antihistaminic agent as it helps restore the electrical and biological integrity of the cell membrane. It thereby improves the functionality of the cell so that it is less likely to release an amplifying signal, such as a histamine, when an irritant is present.
FLAVONOIDS AND FLAVANOLS
A variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that selected flavonoids possess antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activities. The stimulated activities of numerous cell types, including mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, T & B lymphocytes, macrophages and others, can be influenced by flavonoids. (15) With this effect on the immune system, a flavonoid such as quercetin are natural companion to buffered ascorbate. Ascorbate also depends upon flavonoids and flavanols, the colored substances from foods, in order to be 100% biologically active and effective.
PERQUE Pain Guard Forte is a unique combination of the flavonoid quercetin dihydrate and flavonols- as well as low molecular weight OPC material. The synergy between these two is particularly effective at extending ascorbate activity.
PERQUE Repair Guard is another unique flavonoid and flavonol combination with the addition of pomegranate juice powder. The pomegranate fruit derived from the Punica granatum tree has been shown to possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (16) The OPCs present in the formula quench the free radicals involved in inflammation and allergies. A single dose of PERQUE Repair Guard has an ORAC value equivalent to 15 servings of fruits and vegetables.
PERQUE Integrative Health offers healthcare practitioners access to the tools needed to restore immune tolerance and reverse repair deficits (inflammation). For more information about the resources available, please contact us at 800-553-5472 or ClientServices@ELISAACT.com.
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