Treating Asthma at Balanced Beings

Treating Asthma at Balanced Beings

What Really Causes It & How We Treat It from the Root

Asthma in children is becoming increasingly common but in our clinic, we rarely see asthma as just a lung problem. Instead, it’s a whole-body pattern: inflammation, immune
dysregulation, gut imbalance, and airway hypersensitivity all interacting to create symptoms.

Our approach goes beyond inhalers and symptom suppression. We look deeply at what is
driving the inflammation in your child’s body so we can reduce flare-ups, support long-term lung health, and improve quality of life.

 

What Actually Causes Asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory condition where the airways become sensitive, tight, and
reactive. But why those airways are hyper-responsive varies from child to child.

The most common underlying drivers we see:

  1. Chronic Inflammation: The airways become primed to react when inflammation is
    consistently elevated often due to hidden food triggers, gut dysbiosis, or environmental exposures (mould, smoke, dust).

  2. Overactive Immune Response: Asthma often lives on the same spectrum as eczema, allergies, and hay fever. These children commonly have a Th2-dominant immune system, meaning their body overreacts to harmless things like dust, pollen, or dairy, triggering airway swelling and mucus.

  3. Gut Lining Damage: A disrupted gut lining increases immune activation. When the gut barrier is weak, more irritants pass through and the immune system becomes overloaded raising the risk of asthma flare-ups.

  4. Low Beneficial Bacteria: The gut microbiome influences lung function through the
    gut–lung axis. Kids with asthma often show:
    1. Low Lactobacillus
    2. Low Bifidobacteria
    3. Poor butyrate production
    4. High Streptococcus or Haemophilus

These patterns increase inflammation and affect immune calibration.

  1. Airway Hyper Reactivity: Some children naturally have more sensitive airways, but this sensitivity worsens when inflammation, histamine, or immune triggers are present. These patterns are treatable once we know what’s driving them.

How We Assess Asthma in the BB Clinic

In every asthma case, we assess three major areas:

  1. Gut Health + Microbiome Balance:
    We use a Microba Microbiome Explorer panel to identify:
    1. Low SCFA production (butyrate, propionate)
    2. High histamine-producing bacteria
    3. Overgrowths of Streptococcus, Klebsiella, or Haemophilus
    4. Yeast or fungal imbalance
    5. Parasites triggering immune flare
    6. High zonulin (gut permeability)
    7. Low mucosal immunity (sIgA)

These findings help us understand why the immune system is overreacting and how to calm inflammation at the source.

  1. Immune Patterns + Inflammation Load:
    1. Eosinophils
    2. CRP
    3. Histamine load
    4. Vitamin D
    5. Iron
    6. Zinc
    7. Omega-3 status
    8. Thyroid markers (often related to respiratory health)

This gives us a full picture of whether your child’s asthma is:

    1. allergy-driven
    2. inflammation-driven
    3. gut-driven
    4. nutrient-driven
    5. or a combination of all four

  2. Environmental + Nutritional Triggers:
    We also assess:
    1. Dust, pet dander, mould exposure
    2. Food intolerances (dairy, colours, preservatives)
    3. Hydration
    4. Stress or sleep patterns
    5. Exercise-induced flare pathways

This helps us tailor a plan that meets your child where they’re at.

Products We Commonly Use in the Clinic for Asthma Support

Every prescription is personalised, but here are the categories we use most:

  1. Lung-Supportive Herbs
    1. Albizia: reduces allergic airway inflammation
    2. Baical Skullcap: anti-histamine, calms Th2 pathway
    3. Pelargonium: reduces mucus + supports respiratory immunity
    4. Pomegranate: antimicrobial against Streptococcus strains
    5. Reishi or Cordyceps: support lung capacity + immune modulation

  2. Gut-Healing Nutrients
    1. Glutamine
    2. Zinc picolinate
    3. Slippery elm
    4. PHGG (prebiotic fibre)
    5. Marshmallow root
    6. Gut Care for Kids

These reduce histamine load and strengthen the gut–lung axis.

  1. Anti-Inflammatory Support
    1. Omega-3s (EPA/DHA)
    2. Curcumin
    3. Quercetin
    4. Vitamin C
    5. NAC

All help to calm airway over-sensitivity.

  1. Immune-Calming Formulas
    1. Probiotics specific to asthma/allergy (LGG, Bifido infantis, B. breve, L. plantarum)
    2. Vitamin D
    3. Magnesium

These stabilise immune responses and help reduce flare frequency.

  1. Detox + Liver Support (for histamine + allergens)
    1. Globe Artichoke
    2. St Mary’s Thistle
    3. Bile support
    4. Broccoli sprout extract

Reduces inflammatory load on the lungs.

 

Diet Tips to Reduce Asthma Risk in Kids

These are the most evidence-backed, clinic-proven changes that make the biggest
difference:

  1. Increase Omega-3s Daily

    Omega-3s reduce airway inflammation. Add:
    1. tinned salmon
    2. sardines
    3. chia seeds
    4. hemp seeds
    5. Avocado
    6. olive oil

  2. Prioritise Gut-Fibre Foods

    Fibre feeds gut bacteria that produce SCFAs, which lower lung inflammation.
    Aim for 1–2 of these daily:
    1. pears
    2. apples (skin on)
    3. oats
    4. lentils
    5. sweet potato
    6. Carrots
    7. Bananas
    8. broccoli

  3. Reduce Dairy if It Triggers Mucus

    Some kids flare within hours of dairy.
    Try a 2-week dairy break and monitor: mucus, coughing, wheezing, sleep

  4. Remove Artificial Colours + Preservatives

    These increase hyperreactivity and inflammation in sensitive kids.
    Common triggers include:
    1. 102, 110, 122-129 colourings
    2. sorbates
    3. benzoates

  5. Add Daily Anti-Histamine Foods

    These calm airway hyperreactivity. Great options:
    1. onions
    2. Garlic
    3. ginger
    4. turmeric
    5. parsley
    6. blueberries
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