This post is part of a series about immune balance. It goes over the Th2 response, diseases associated with its overactivity, and complementary approaches – including lifestyle, food, and supplements – that may help keep the immune system in good health.<\/p>\n
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If your goal is to lower your Th2 response because you have serious allergy-related problems – including asthma and severe eczema – it\u2019s important to talk to your doctor, especially if your symptoms are significantly impacting your daily life.<\/p>\n
Your doctor should diagnose and treat any underlying conditions causing your symptoms.<\/strong><\/p>\n Before we talk about the Th2 system in detail, we\u2019ll outline all the complementary approaches that people can be presented with.<\/p>\n Many people just want the bottom line. That\u2019s why we’ve started off with this list. It includes some mechanisms that scientists are investigating in cells and animals but that haven\u2019t been proven in humans.<\/p>\n Anecdotally, people report starting with one supplement at a time to rule out reactions. Aside from any potential effects on Th2 immune dominance, many of these supplements are also thought to strengthen immune defense and may have other beneficial aspects to them.<\/p>\n If you suspect you are Th1 and<\/strong> Th2 dominant, then read this post.<\/a><\/p>\n Remember that the existing evidence does not suggest that Th2 dominance causes allergies. Complex allergic disorders always involve multiple possible factors \u2013 including biochemistry, environment, health status, and genetics \u2013 that may vary from one person to another.<\/p>\n Therefore, you may try the strategies listed above if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate<\/strong>. Read through the approaches we bring up and discuss them with your doctor before trying them out. This is particularly important if you plan to take any dietary supplements.<\/p>\n Most of the lifestyle, dietary, and supplement factors listed in this article rely on animal and cellular data. These findings can\u2019t be applied to humans<\/strong>. Clinical research is needed before the safety and effectiveness of any approach listed in this post is determined.<\/p>\n Thus, we\u2019re providing a summary of the existing research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies listed should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n Supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use and generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don\u2019t guarantee that they\u2019re safe or effective.<\/p>\n Additionally, supplement-drug interactions can be dangerous and, in rare cases, even life-threatening. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to consult your healthcare provider before supplementing and let them know about all drugs and supplements you are using or considering.<\/p>\n Dosage may also matter and different doses will have different effects on Th1\/Th2 balance. Safe supplement doses should not be exceeded.<\/p>\n Finally, have in mind that none of these strategies should replace what your doctor recommends or prescribes.<\/p>\n To start with, the human immune system is incredibly complex. We have many types of immune cells that are orchestrated by various factors – from our encounter with microbes, to our health status, genetics, mood, and more.<\/p>\n The Th1\/Th2 theory is one attempt at understanding immune regulation, and T-Helper 1 (Th1) and T-Helper 2 (Th2) cells are its key players.<\/p>\n This theory dates back to studies on mouse immune cells in the 80s. However, it is still considered controversial and it\u2019s not without limitations and discrepancies<\/strong>. More large-scale human studies are needed to determine its validity [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n According to the Th1\/Th2 theory [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Th1 cells produce mainly the cytokines or messengers IL-12 and interferon gamma and Th2 cells produce mainly IL-4. Both types of cells produce other cytokines as well [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The Th1\/Th2 theory states that overactivation of either the Th1 or the Th2 pattern can cause disease. According to one interpretation, people\u2019s immune systems often tilt to Th1 or Th2. Similarly, either pathway is thought to down-regulate the other [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n One of the reasons why an increase in one may <\/em>translate to a decrease of the other is because they differentiate from a progenitor or original cell (Th0) and there\u2019s a limited number of these cells.<\/p>\n The Th1 side is seen as more immune-stimulatory, while the Th2 side is considered to be more \u201cimmune-deficient.\u201d However, both can produce \u201cinflammation\u201d in certain situations.<\/p>\n Based on this, some studies claim that most substances that decrease Th1 will increase Th2<\/a> and vice versa (decrease Th1 will increase Th2), but this isn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\n Some nutrients – including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) seem to improve various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions without any specific Th1\/Th2 effect [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Often, it\u2019s uncertain whether a certain nutrient or intervention stimulates the Th1\/Th2 immune system or not.<\/p>\n Additionally, many diseases that were previously classified as Th1- or Th2-dominant failed to meet defined criteria. Plus, Th1 dominance can be polarized to Th2 patterns, and vice versa [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The main issue with the whole Th1\/Th2 theory, as some scientists have recently pointed out, is that the activity of cytokines and other immune messengers rarely fall into strict Th1 or Th2 patterns<\/strong>. Some cells, like non-helper regulatory T cells (Tregs<\/a>), may influence (and likely suppress) both Th1 and Th2 responses [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n We\u2019re providing a summary of the existing research, which should guide further investigational efforts. The studies listed below were mostly done in animals and should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit in humans.<\/p>\n Thus, please read through the factors below having all the limitations and precautions mentioned above in mind.<\/p>\n The following factors are theoretical and anecdotal. They aren\u2019t backed up by solid science. We bring them up for informational purposes.<\/p>\n The following might lower Th2 but should be avoided because of numerous detrimental health effects: Nicotine<\/a> (R<\/a>), Choline<\/a> deficiency (R<\/a>), and Zinc<\/a> deficiency (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n You can take a peek at this post<\/a> to learn about factors that may reduce Th1 activity. Not all of those factors will raise Th2 dominance<\/a> and some are good for general well-being.<\/p>\n It\u2019s always a good idea to avoid unhealthy habits – such as smoking, fast food, overeating, being under a lot of stress, and drinking too much – that can bring your immune system out of balance. Look to get regular exercise<\/a>, enough nutrients, sleep, and follow a healthy circadian rhythm<\/a>.<\/p>\n The following are addictive and\/or illegal substances that should be avoided:<\/p>\n<\/a>Complementary Approaches<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Limitations<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Additional Precautions<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>What is Th1 vs Th2?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Basics<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Inconsistency Issues<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Factors that May Balance the Immune System (Lower Th2)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Lifestyle\/Hormones\/Pathways<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Foods<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Other (Experimental)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Factors that May Disrupt Immune Balance & Raise Th2<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Lifestyle<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Addictive\/Illegal Substances<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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