I have just finished part 1 of an introductory class to immunology and it helped me understand alot about Allergies.
There are 5 different types of AntiBodies IgM,IgD,IgG,IgE and IgA. For allergies the one we care about is IgE.
It looks like from the studies I have read, researches think that IgE starts because there is only a small trigger. This makes sense, IgE is really good for killing off parasites and worms. The speed at parasites and worms reproduce is significantly smaller than bacteria or viruses. So only a little would require the immune system to react. But it looks like a little bit of pollen, is causing allergies.
The cool thing I learned is that all Antibodies initially start off as IgM/IgD. When the bone marrow makes these cells, they are IgM/IgD. While circulating the body, they notices something is wrong, if in the lympnoids there are certain chemicals - they will trigger the antibody to switch classes! That means IgM will switch to IgE! AHH! What these chemicals are? I don't know yet. But, in the world we live in today... i don't think its parasites or worms.
Now, the question is what can we do to prevent this class switching!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17852040
Reishi and how it helps Allergies
Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on pollen-induced biphasic nasal blockage in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21698671
Immuno-modulatory activity of Ganoderma lucidum-derived polysacharide on human monocytoid dendritic cells pulsed with Der p 1 allergen.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21612588
Effectiveness of Dp2 nasal therapy for Dp2- induced airway inflammation in mice: using oral Ganoderma lucidum as an immunomodulator
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14723251
Preferential induction of Th17 cells in vitro and in vivo by Fucogalactan from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22569041
Response of human dendritic cells to different immunomodulatory polysaccharides derived from mushroom and barley.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17606977
Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of oligosaccharides from Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Higher Basidiomycetes).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24266379
FOOD ALLERGIES INFO
SO... i was reading about allergy stuff... and then I found there is a herbal remedy called FAHF-2 - anyways, they are noticing that food allergies go away even after you stop taking this herbal mixture. AND the kicker is... ling zhi is the first ingredient... and its 70% of the formula... and ling zhi is REISHI!!! TOO FUNNY
So here are some studies and some clinical trials... and someones sons experience... And there are studies i think in alot of places for this fahf-2.
The Chinese herbal medicine formula FAHF-2 completely blocks anaphylactic reactions in a murine model of peanut allergy
http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(04)02620-X/abstract
Safety, tolerability, and immunologic effects of a food allergy herbal formula in food allergic individuals: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose escalation, phase 1 study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026589/
FAHF-2 Clinical Trial Summary
http://foodallergybitch.blogspot.com/2013/01/fahf-2-clinical-trial-summary.html
Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Food Allergy (FAHF-2)
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00602160
Treatment of food anaphylaxis with traditional Chinese herbal remedies: from mouse model to human clinical trials.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23799334
112009-006: Dendritic Cell Responses to Viral Stimulation in Peanut Allergic Subjects Undergoing Peanut Oral Immunotherapy
http://www.childrens.com/specialties/food-allergy-center/research/
Here is the Patent for fahf-2
http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20080317878
Safety, tolerability, and immunologic effects of a food allergy herbal formula in food allergic individuals: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose escalation, phase 1 study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026589/
Anti-Acid Medication and Food Allergies
Anti-acid medication as a risk factor for food allergy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21121928
Mechanisms and risk factors for type 1 food allergies: the role of gastric digestion].
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23160973
The role of protein digestibility and antacids on food allergy outcomes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18539189
Antacids and dietary supplements with an influence on the gastric pH increase the risk for food sensitization.