Continuing from Part Two, we look at other causes and issues around immune responses, and give some delicious and nutritious recipes to assist.

Eczema

Eczema is a red, itchy, uncomfortable, inflammatory, yet non-contagious, skin condition that usually first appears in early life; although it’s not uncommon to experience bouts of it later on, especially in those suffering from low immunity or chronic stress. It can be incredibly frustrating, painful, and often tricky to treat, and find the real root cause. You may notice that the skin seems to thicken, and appear raised where the rash is, leaving you with dry, sore, inflamed patches of skin. The exact cause is likely to be multifactorial, consisting of a mix of genetic, external environmental factors, and your gut health. Inflammation, and creating trauma from scratching, can cause further impairments to the function of the skin barrier, so it’s helpful to find something to soothe the itching sensation. Often sufferers will think to apply a topical solution first, but as it’s an immune response, with your body reacting to disturbances and imbalances, like allergies, sensitivities (from food, the environment), it’s important to start healing eczema from the inside out.

Protocol to Manage-

• There are certain things we can do to help support our bodies, if we are suffering from eczema symptoms.
• Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C: Two nutrients that work to support skin health. Vit C maintains connective tissue health, assists with collagen formation and plays a role in wound healing. Find these vitamins in citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwis, broccoli, sprouts, free range organic chicken, salmon and organic tofu.
• Zinc: Relieves the symptoms of acne, little pimples and minor skin eruptions (like eczema). It also plays a major role in immune status and contains wound healing properties. It regulates the production of certain inflammatory biomarkers and increases the repair of the tissue that forms on the outer layer of the body’s surface. This is why it is successful in treating eczema and maintaining skin health. Foods rich in zinc include plant-based sources such as pumpkin seeds, lentils, chickpeas, hummus, black beans, hempseeds, shellfish and lean, organic red meat.
• Burdock: Traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to relieve minor skin eruptions and symptoms of mild eczema and dermatitis, it is an acquired taste, but great sipped as a tea and can bought in most health food shops.
• Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for overall human nutrition. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may alter the development of immune system allergies just like eczema. If there is an imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6, it can result in increased inflammation and cause a shift towards an immune response. Sources can be found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, walnuts, organic free-range eggs, chia seeds and my favourite nutritional powerhouse - flaxseeds.
• Quercetin: This is a naturally occurring polyphenol that exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activity (super important for skin conditions like eczema). Polyphenols are compounds found in colourful fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, which also help to block activity of the cells that are responsible for releasing histamines during an allergic reaction. Quercetin helps to supress allergic inflammation and stress in the body and Is also fantastic with gut repair. It boosts the immunity in your mucus membranes, reducing reactivity to seasonal allergens, while also helping to reduce food allergies - so all round brilliant! Sources of this include dark green leafy veggies, red onions, red apples, red grapes, dark cherries and a lovely cup of green tea.
• Vitamin E: A fat soluble, super crucial nutrient that exerts antioxidant activity. Our bodies cannot produce this, so our skin relies on oral or topical use, which is why lots of skin care brands will often contain it. It protects the cell membrane responsible for detecting and destroying harmful pathogens and reduces production of inflammatory compounds. Some of the richest, and my most favourite sources of vitamin E, include almonds and sunflower seeds. Both very easy to eat on a daily basis! You can use almond milk, almond flour etc.