DIET

70 - 80% of your immune system is found within your digestive tract.  You cannot gain long-term immune tolerance without addressing digestive system factors.

1. IDENTIFY food allergens. Common clinically seen allergenic food groups: gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, legumes and peanuts, Solanaceae, plant foods (e.g. tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, goji berries, tobacco, capsicum and chilli), alcohol, caffeine, food additives, citrus, beef, pork, yeast, corn, soy, shellfish, chocolate, salicylates, and fish.
   FODMAP foods: fructose, fructans, galactans, lactose, polyols.
   HISTAMINE foods: histamine-rich foods and foods that promote histamine release such as: aged cheeses, red wine/alcohol, deli cured meats e.g. salami, sausages, ham, etc. Fermented foods may also exacerbate such as sauerkraut, kombucha.
2. An ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET which contains omega 3’s (e.g. avocado, olive oils, fresh fatty fish *not tin) such as the Mediterranean diet (generally plant based), may help with SKIN RASH imbalances. The Mediterranean diet has a low glycaemic index. It is low in refined sugar and high in antioxidants.
3. It is important to increase your intake of foods rich in essential fatty acids. They offer anti-inflammatory support. Consider taking ‘practitioner quality’ oils such as evening primrose oil, omega 3’s.
4. GOOD GUT FLORA can help improve the absorption of key nutrients necessary for healthy skin. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG) support healthy immune system function, thereby reducing allergic skin responses.

From my personal and professional experience, I have found the following nutritional and herbal support has helped achieve improved immune tolerance and optimal results with skin rash imbalances.

Quercetin and Bromelains: Anti-inflammatory nutrients that are helpful for the management of allergies resetting the immune system.

Glutamine: will soothe and protect the gut lining, helping minimise digestive symptoms.

Milk Thistle: Anti-histamine effects.

Baical skullcap: Anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory actions.

Reishi and Shiitake: Medicinal mushrooms that support healthy immune function. These mushrooms help to neutralise antigens, reducing immune system reactivity.

Vitamins: A, C, D, E, B12, and the mineral Zinc also play a key role in supporting the skin and the immune system.