Eczema, psoriasis and chronic urticaria are treated almost exclusively with topical therapies and immunosuppression. But the skin is an excretory organ — when the immune system is overheated and the gut is not functioning optimally, it shows in the skin. MediBalans investigates the gut-skin axis' biological mechanisms.
"Apply cortisone, avoid triggers, and live with it."
Topical treatments do not address the systemic origin of inflammation. Patients who identify their food reactivities and normalise gut flora experience consistent improvement of skin conditions that cortisone could not control.
ALCAT-identified food reactivities produce inflammatory cytokines that manifest in the skin. These reactions are not IgE-mediated — they are invisible on skin prick tests. Many eczema and psoriasis patients experience consistent improvement when ALCAT-reactive foods are eliminated.
Dysbiosis alters the gut flora's ability to regulate the immune system's histamine response and systemic inflammation. Elevated beta-glucuronidase (measurable in GI Effects) increases systemic antigen load. Compromised gut barrier allows antigen penetration that drives skin immunology.
Histamine-producing bacteria in the gut flora and food reactivities drive mast cell activation manifesting as urticaria and angio-oedema. The DAO enzyme's capacity to break down histamine depends on copper, B6 and vitamin C — cofactors measurable with CMA.
The AA:EPA ratio (measurable in NutrEval/CMA) is the single best blood marker for systemic inflammatory tone. Elevated ratio drives prostaglandin E2 production that is central to eczema's inflammatory profile.
Skin investigation at MediBalans always starts with the biological question: what is activating the immune system? Topical treatments are your dermatologist's domain — we address the systemic origin.
ALCAT → GI Effects → CMA (omega-3 index, DAO cofactors) → MethylDetox. The gut's inflammatory environment must be mapped and the immunological triggers identified before topical treatment can become lasting.
Identifies food reactivities driving systemic inflammation. The most common finding in patients with treatment-resistant eczema and urticaria is reactivities to foods they eat daily as 'healthy'.
Beta-glucuronidase, zonulin, gut microbiome composition. Identifies histamine-producing bacteria and barrier damage driving skin immunology.
Omega-3 index (AA:EPA ratio), zinc (wound healing and immune regulation), B6 (DAO cofactor), selenium and vitamin A. Defects in these are directly measurable and correctable.
Genetic variants in immune regulation and oxidative stress — GSTP1, SOD2, NQO1 — affect sensitivity to skin inflammation. COMT affects histamine catabolism.
Book a consultation to map the gut-skin axis biological mechanisms driving your skin presentation.