Are allergies a problem? Some medical statistics indicate that 1-in-7 Americans experienced the symptoms of an allergy in 1950. By 1970, approximately 1-in-5 reported having allergies. And by 1985, approximately 75 Million Americans, or 1-in-3, suffered from allergies.
Nutritional Support for Allergies Click this link for details on how allergies are caused, and how to combat allergies with nutrition.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is a catch-all word for a wide variety of reactions to substances that the body determines to be foreign. Anything that it does not recognize as itself can be considered an allergen. When the body encounters a foreign substance, it reacts by making antibodies or releasing certain chemicals called histamines. When histamines and other substances are released into the system, they cause an inflammatory reaction we call an allergy.
What are the symptoms?
The inflammatory reaction affects the tissue and organs, mainly the skin, mucous membranes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms commonly produced include itching and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and sinuses, sneezing, respiratory symptoms, headache, skin reactions and rapid heart beat. Other symptoms may include fatigue, intestinal gas or pain, abdominal bloating and mood changes.
Primary external factors causing allergies
Natural environmental substances: Mold, spores, pollen from trees, flowers and grasses, dust (actually dust mites), animal hairs and insects are common substances that normally produce upper respiratory symptoms (allergies ) in sensitive individuals. These allergy producing substances may cause itching, redness and fluid (water & mucous) may affect the eyes, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
Foods: Any food may be an allergen. The most common are wheat, milk, eggs, com, yeast coffee and chocolate. These may affect most body systems, with the gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory and skin areas affected the most when allergies occur.
Chemicals: Both environmental chemicals and food additives can cause allergy reactions, such as pesticides, chemical sprays, hydrocarbons, and hundreds of others. Tobacco also contains many allergens.
Conventional medical treatment for allergies
- Antihistamines: Treat the symptoms and may only suppress the body’s reaction to an allergen.
- Steroid nasal sprays: Long term effect unknown.
- Laser Surgery: Use of Laser to vaporize mucous forming nasal tissue.
- Decongestants: Reduce congestion, but may create a “rebound effect.”
- Desensitization shots (allergy shots): May be the preferred choice.
Other factors that may lead to allergies:
- Eating habits during the first year of life may impact a baby’s allergy sensitivities.
- Feeding babies solid food too early
- Lack of breast feeding
- Gluten allergies from too early of feeding grains such as corn, wheat and oats
- Poor digestion increases allergies.
- Improper chewing
- Poor hydrochloric acid in the stomach
- Lack of pancreatic enzymes and bile
- Excessive fluid intake around meals
- The presence of parasites, worms, candida albicans, and other bacteria may increase allergies.
- Stress
- Emotional & mental anxiety and fatigue all increase the susceptibility to allergies.
- Menstrual stress (hormone changes) also seem to increase allergic reactions.
- Environmental Toxicity
- Food additives, certain food colors, sulfates, MSG, etc., may contribute to allergies.
- Low nutritional levels
- Particularly Vitamins C, A, and E, and many minerals help reduce allergies.
- Excess or repeated contact with particular foods and substances
- Eating the same food over and over again may indicate the presence of an allergy.
- Eating foods that are “craved” – these may be the ones that cause the most allergies.
What to eat to eliminate some allergies:
- Lots of water
- Fruit juices, except citrus
- All vegetables except corn & tomatoes
- Brown or white rice
- Turkey
- White Fish: halibut, sole, swordfish (no shellfish)
- Almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds
Nutritional help for allergies
- Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, Vitamins A & E, and Zinc
- Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
- Enzymes
- Intestinal detoxification: good colon cleansing products that contain high fiber
- Garlic, as fresh as possible
- Cayenne pepper
Homeopathic treatment for allergies:
- Euphrasia (eyebright) 6X – In large doses, causes nonirritating watery nasal discharges and copious burning tears. It is used homeopathically for these symptoms. Those who benefit the most find their allergies are worse in open air, in the morning, and while lying down.
- Histaminum 12X – Micro doses of this substance are created by the body during an allergy attack. Small, homeopathic doses may help the body fight off the allergies.
- Sabadilla (cevadilla seed) 6X – Materia Medica indications include red eyes, pressure, dry nose, sneezing, hay fever, sore throat, and dry coughs.
- Sanquinaria Canadesis (Blood Root) 6X – Materia Medica indications include headache, pain in face, hay fever coryza, chronic rhinitis, dry burning throat, and cough.
- Thuja occidentatis (Arbor Vitae) 6X – Materia Medica indications of chronic sinusitis, headache, runny nose, greenish mucous, catarrh with puss.
The following nutrients have been formulated into Response a comprehensive formulation of nutrients designed to mitigate the impact of allergies.
Quercitin:
Rich in bioflavonoids. Reduces allergic reactions.
- Anti-inflammatory activity.
- Reduces histamine release.
- Helps rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and asthma.
Green Tea Extract (Theasinensis):
Green tea is rich in phytonutrients that help to ward off everyday cellular attacks. In Chinese medicine it is used to facilitate digestion and enhance mental function.
- Effective against many types of bacteria.
- Lowers risk of esophageal cancer.
- Helps to cut cholesterol.
- Helps regulate blood sugar.
Selenium (Amino Acid Chelate):
Selenium protects cell membranes and stimulates immune function.
- Increases B-cell antibody response.
- Enhances function of vitamin C.
- Essential to production of Coenzyme Q10.
Bromelain:
Inhibits pro-inflammatory compounds. Assists in digestion of vegetable protein. Helps promote circulation and post-traumatic reabsorption of inflammatory by-products.
Papain:
Contains papain an enzyme effective in breaking down protein and dead tissue.
Licorice Root (4 to 1 extract):
Studied for its antiallergic, antiarthritic properties. In Chinese medicine said to replenish vital energy, moisten the lungs, and strengthen digestion. Used to support inflammation of the skin.
Copper (Amino Acid Chelate):
Crucial to the formation of helper T-cells. An essential component of Super Oxide Dismutase, an antioxidant that fights free radial damage to the mitochondria, the energy producing portion of the cell.
Molybdenum (Amino Acid Chelate):
Enhances the use of sulfur amino acids by the body. Enhances the cells utilization of vitamin C; detoxifies sulfites and aldehydes.
Magnesium (Citrate):
Considered the anti-stress mineral. Buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Required in many of the body’s detoxification pathways. May reduce the broncho-constrictor in asthma by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes.
Calcium (Citrate):
Helps to regulate the body’s acid/alkaline balance in tissues. Buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Reduces histamine production.
Vitamin B15:
Helps lessen muscle fatigue and increase endurance.
Vitamin C (Ascorbate):
Shown to decrease production of histamine, reducing immediate allergy potential. Helps to relieve allergic symptoms and prevent inflammatory reactions. Provides an anti-histamine-like effect. Assists in production of adrenal hormones needed to combat the stress imposed by allergic reactions.
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