Recent research has uncovered a possible mechanism of the cause of allergic-like symptoms such as asthma, migraines, and sick building syndrome when a person is exposed to Volatile Organic Chemicals(VOC) such as hydrocarbons, perfumes, fertilizers, and cigarette smoke. This mechanism is not based on an allergy model but on a stressed nervous system model.
In a previous blog entry, the protein Nerve Growth Factor(NGF) was discussed as an internally synthesized protein that causes the nervous system to proliferate hypersensitive nerve endings and causes sensory cells, when irritated, to produce an inflammatory chemical called Substance P. Substance P causes increased pain, smooth muscle contractions, acute inflammation, induces mast cells to release histamine and modulates the production of antibodies associated with allergies. NGF is also synthesizes when the autonomic nervous system is stressed.
The proposed mechanism of chemical sensitivity:
1) Stress increases the production of NGF.
2) NGF causes sensory nerves to proliferate and become hypersensitive.
3) VOC cause autonomic system stress and attach to chemical irritant receptors on hypersensitive sensory nerves.
4) Stimulated sensory nerves release Substance P causing inflammation, stress, and the release of histamine by mast cells.
This is the important part. A chemical called Neutral Neuropeptidase(NEP) degrades Substance P. When released, Substance P causes inflammation and allergy-like symptoms. But when NEP is present, the quantity of Substance P decreases resulting in less inflammation and less stress.
In addition to Volatile Organic Chemicals irritating sensory nerves, VOC also suppresses NEP. The suppression of NEP prolongs the life of Substance P and inflammation. Allergy-like symptoms arise without involving antibodies. Allergy-like symptoms appear due to a hypersensitive, stressed nervous system.
The BAX3000 works by reducing the stress and hypersensitivity of nerves when exposed to VOC. The BAX3000 creates a positive association between VOC and stress-reducing endorphins. The new association reduces stress and stops the following release of inflammatory chemicals.
Our office in New York City (NYC) is one location where you can obtain the benefit of this remarkable new technology.
If you would like more information immediately about this new stress-reducing technology you can visit our web site at www.bryantparkwellness.com .
Emotional stress is known to increase the severity of an allergic reaction. Until recently, we did not know the reason. According to a May 19, 2000 paper published at John’s Hopkins University “scientists have discovered, to their surprise, that a nervous protein may have a significant role in asthma, hay fever and other allergies.”
The protein, Nerve Growth factor(NGF) is an internally synthesized substance that causes the nervous system to proliferate hypersensitive nerve endings and produce an inflammatory chemical called Substance P. Substance P causes increased pain, smooth muscle contractions, acute inflammation and modulates the production of antibodies associated with allergies.
During times of stress, the brain instructs the fight/flight portion of its nervous system(sympathetic nervous system) to produce more nerve growth factor causing nerve endings to be hypersensitive and increasing the susceptibility and severity of an allergic reaction to occur if an antigen is present.
An allergen causes the body to invoke a stress response. The BAX3000 works by disassociating our body’s stress response to a known allergen thereby reducing or eliminating the allergic reaction’s power.
Jan 182011
For many of us, allergies are a chronic life-long condition in which relief is only found by taking expensive medications, enduring painful injections and years of doctor visits. By some estimates, 60 million Americans suffer from allergies and millions more suffer from other chemical sensitivities. Their symptoms can vary from hay fever, eczema, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, dermatitis, and autism. But conventional medicine does not explain why allergies and chemical sensitivities take hold and maintain their strength in our bodies. Instead, conventional medicine focuses its attention on either quick allergy symptom reduction or long-term desensitization. After several decades and billions of dollars spent on research, marketing, and care, neither method has reduced the incidence of allergy and chemical sensitivities. In fact, the number of allergy sufferers keeps rising.
A new model of allergy causation and treatment is needed that expands the narrow accepted model of an allergy being an over-reaction of the immune system. Stated simply, the body responds as though it’s under attack, releasing antibodies and triggering inflammation, even though the stimulus of the attack (the allergen) is normally harmless. This immune system centered model ignores the other body systems(autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, digestive system, integumentary system(skin), excretory system, and different energy systems) and the body’s stress response. The immune system centered model most importantly does not explain how a harmless allergen is imprinted by the body as being dangerous.
A newer expanded model of allergy and chemical sensitivity origination has the potential to open the door to newer therapies that not only reduce allergic symptoms, but may eliminate allergic and chemical sensitivity reactions. This exciting field has many clinical possibilities that far exceed allergy reduction.
In future posts I will discuss newer theories of how a harmless allergen is imprinted as being dangerous, new technology that reprograms the body’s stress response when the body first detects an allergen, the components of stress response, stress and health, autonomic nervous system related conditions, complimentary health care, and the current health care debate at our nation’s capital.
