Spring is about to be sprung, and it’s that time of year again when pollen levels begin to rise and many people experience seasonal allergies. One in four people in the UK (approximately 16 million) suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and up to 49% of the population report experiencing hay fever symptoms on occasion. Many of these will reach for over the counter (OTC) medications which ca...
Allergic diseases are traditionally framed as disorders of inappropriate immune reactivity to environmental antigens such as pollen, foods, or house dust mite. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that gastrointestinal barrier integrity and gut microbial ecology play a central role in shaping allergic susceptibility and symptom expression.
Given that approximately 70–80% of immune tissu...
Since the pandemic, our awareness, perhaps even fear, of viral and other infections has increased. But we have always existed in a world where we might encounter evolving variants of viral infection, with some of us seemingly more susceptible or even vulnerable than others due to our general health.
It’s the combination of exposure to bacterial, fungal or viral ‘load’ and our own ability to pr...
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a complex condition in which the body’s mast cells become hypersensitive, releasing excessive or inappropriate levels of chemicals such as histamine in response to triggers that are typically harmless. This overreaction can lead to a wide range of symptoms—from skin rashes and digestive discomfort to fatigue, brain fog, and even heart palpitations.
Trigge...
Seasonal allergies such as hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, are common and becoming increasingly so, both in the UK and across the globe.
A recent study by Allergy UK revealed that 49% of the UK population have had symptoms of hay fever with it officially affecting between 10-15% of children and 26% of adults.
It may appear to some to be just an inconvenience with the need for extra ...
Atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can affect people of all ages, although most commonly presents in early childhood. It is one of the most common chronic skin diseases, thought to affect up to one-fifth of the population1 and its prevalence is rising, particularly in developed and fast-growing countries.
Our latest blog looks at the un...
It is that time of year again, the daffodils are blooming, days are getting longer and warmer, and the beginnings of spring have emerged. Unfortunately, for a substantial proportion of the population, it signifies the beginning of a range of debilitating symptoms which can cause a very real burden to everyday life.
The UK has one of the highest rates of hay fever in the world, with statistics s...
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and is home to a diverse array of microorganisms which can influence health. These are understood to play a significant role in the hosts immune reactions, wound healing, colonisation of pathogens and skin disorders. A great deal is still to be discovered on how these resident microbes influence health both at the site of where they reside but als...
A contentious issue in the nutrition community is whether dairy foods are good for us. As is sometimes found in nutrition, a food that works well and promotes health in one person may cause health issues in another.
Dairy products include milk, butter, cream, cheese, yoghurt, whey and ice cream. These foods are often used as ingredients in recipes and can appear in a variety of foods including...
Food allergies are a common reason for individuals to seek nutritional support and they appear to be becoming more prevalent in today’s society, with six to eight percent of children now affected worldwide.1 The prevention of allergy developing in infancy has been a major concern of healthcare professionals and government advice has sometimes appeared conflicting to parents. The main reason for...
