Crystal Lake residents find relief from food allergies in “good” bacteria

Crystal Lake residents find relief from food allergies in “good” bacteria

From head-to-toe, bacteria can be blamed for everything from meningitis, sinusitis and eye infections, to upper respiratory tract and urinary tract infections, as well as nasty food-related outbreaks like salmonella and Shigella, associated with consuming undercooked meat and contaminated prepared meals. Yet, bacteria have been used for thousands of years to produce the very foods we love – from cheeses, pickles, and sauerkraut to vinegar and yogurt.

In fact, an entire category of foods and nutritional products has sprung up marketed as “probiotics,” a type of “good” bacteria often associated with fermented yogurt and kefir. You may have seen the commercials. It’s big business to promote how probiotics aid digestion.

You don’t have to go to the store to buy such immune and digestion boosting microorganisms off the shelf. You need look no further than your own body to find beneficial bacteria, with more than 500 different types naturally occurring in the digestive system alone, helping to keep our intestines healthy.

Bacteria: Taking the bad and the good

We’ve been conditioned through the years to associate all bacteria with the “bad.” After all, we have antibiotics to fight bacteria. Yet, it is believed some digestive disorders; especially those conditions of the Western world (such as inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome) are actually caused by good gut bacteria being thrown out of balance. What’s to blame for this destructive bacterial imbalance? The antibiotics used to fight infections.

It’s also been suggested good hygiene and sanitary conditions taken for granted have contributed to a sharp rise in autoimmune and allergic conditions. It seems an overly sterile environment can wipe out the pathogenic organisms needed to challenge the immune system. While many unknowns remain, it’s believed when we introduce “friendly” bacteria (such as probiotics) immune system functionality is maintained, enabling the body to better ward off infections on its own.

Antibiotics reduce immune system activity by killing off gut bacteria. They don’t discriminate among bad germs that cause infection and illness and good organisms that break down our food to create a defense against disease-producing counterparts.

Promising treatments, thanks to good bacteria

Dr. Noga Askenazi and the staff are at the leading edge of treatments, including the latest promising research to harness a specific type of good bacteria, Clostridia, in the production of a new probiotic.

A team led by University of Chicago researchers found Clostridia signals the production of natural antibiotics that prevent food allergens from entering our bloodstream. Its unique protective function may also be used to prevent food allergies – by setting off a protective response.

Bacteria and food allergies in Crystal Lake IL may go hand-in-hand in a good way. Call our local office at (847) 888-8802, so the team at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois can match you with today’s effective (and safe) allergy management techniques.

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Meredith Cirrincione | Dr. Noga Askenazi

Amy Schack, a distinguished board-certified Physician Associate, brings a wealth of expertise to patient care. Specializing in allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, and rashes, Amy is renowned for her commitment to excellence and compassionate approach. With a background in immediate care and orthopedics, she holds a Master's in Physician Assistant studies from Midwestern University and a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University. A member of esteemed professional associations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Amy Schack instills confidence, ensuring you can trust her unwavering dedication to your health and well-being.


Meredith Cirrincione is a board certified Physician Assistant and specializes in treating allergies, with a focus on asthma, rashes, environmental allergies, chemical and food allergies. She holds a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from The Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences. She is a Fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. She likes to approach things holistically. She is a strong patient advocate and adored by her patients. She enjoys singing, reading, cooking, and the great outdoors.


Dr. Noga Askenazi is a nationally recognized asthma and allergy specialist who is board certified in pediatric and adult allergy. Her areas of special interest are innovative treatment of rashes, sinusitis, food allergies, asthma and immune disorders. She was past President of the ISAAI (Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology), works on state and national committees for advancement of the allergy field and is a consultant for Advocate, Ascension Health, Northwestern amongst other health care systems. Her joy is helping patients reach their goals after together determining best treatments. Her staff and patients are a chosen family, and she invests in their happiness. She enjoys gardening, biking and cooking to good music.