~By Michelle Tonkin ND
Environmental Allergies are becoming more of an issue in the day and age that we live in.
With pollution, environmental toxins, and even an overabundance of natural substances like pollen- environmental allergies are becoming more commonplace. However our bodies are designed to adapt and along with our immune system, a health body is able to handle these environmental challenges without too much discomfort. However, for those with challenged or weakened immunity, environmental issues can become quite a headache… no pun intended!
The goal therefore is to strengthen the immune system while also cleansing the body at the cellular level, thus giving our immune system as well as our other organs of elimination (i.e colon, skin, lymphatics, kidneys etc..) a helping hand in eliminating and neutralizing these toxins before our bodies become overburdened.
So, what are the common triggers of Environmental Allergies…
Well, there are too many environmental pollutants and triggers to list here… but some of the most common ones are:
· Animal dander
· Dust
· Mold Spores
· Perfumes
· Pollen
· Pollution
There is also something known as multiple chemical sensitivity. This can occur when a combination of various chemicals or particles creates substance(s) that can cause an allergic reaction in an individual. Those with this sensitivity can be allergic to paints, carpets, gas fumes or a myriad of other pollutants. This can especially be a problem for these individuals when dealing with the outgassing of something “new”. Such as new carpets, or paint or furniture etc… as these items normally have a period of time that they will give off Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s. Some of these can be in the form of formaldehydes which are readily found in new carpets and furniture as well as most paints.
Fortunately, nowadays manufacturers are providing alternatives that are not only beneficial for those with allergen sensitivity but also without! The less toxins we are exposed to- the better! VOC free paints, carpets and even some furniture are now being made. However, be careful when selecting these more natural items as some will contain “natural” ingredients that still might be toxic. Read the labels and if unsure ask a qualified naturopath or physician. However, for the most part the VOC free choices are much safer and gentler on your body, and you will find that you won’t get the toxic headaches you used to get after painting your rooms!
Common or Mild Symptoms of Allergies:
· Coughing
· Diarrhea
· Headache
· Hives
· Nausea
· Runny Nose
· Sneezing
· Stuffy
· Watery Eyes
So, what causes Allergies or MCS?
Well, there can be a number of causes, but what I have found in my own experience and studies is that the immune system is compromised and thus the body can have a difficult time in dealing with this extra added burden which in turn can cause symptoms.
Symptoms from allergies come from an overworked system which cannot deal with the added “straw” that upset the apple cart so to speak.
When we think of our organs of elimination – our bowels, kidneys, liver, skin, lymphatics etc) they are what enables our body to dispose of the waste and toxins that we are surrounded by on a daily basis, however if one of these or multiple organs are overloaded with toxins then they will not be as effective in dealing with any new “challenges” or pollutants that may come our way.
We also must remember that about 80% of our immunity lies in the health of our gut.
So, if our gut is compromised – (i.e. we have more bad bacteria than good in our gut, we don’t have enough enzymes to break down the food we are eating or enough hydrochloric acid, or are full of old waste, or not eating a nutritious healthy diet, then our immune system is not going to be at its best, because our gut is not at its healthiest.
Therefore, what we are looking at is a domino effect, where one organ or multiple organs affect each other.
Common Causes of Allergies:
· Bad Diet
· Chronic Bacterial, Fungal, Parasitic or Viral Infections
· Prolonged or Excessive Stress
· Toxic Body
· Weakened Immunity
· Trauma
So, what can we do to improve our immunity and help our body in dealing with allergies?
There is a lot that we can do to help our body in dealing with environmental stress. Some of the most important things we can do is to keep our organs functioning at their optimal by periodic cleansing.
Cleansing:
The best cleansers are one that focus on cellular cleansing. They can be done periodically. I also suggest natural colon cleansers periodically (changing of the seasons for 1-2 weeks or as needed to help with occasional constipation) that contain magnesium oxide which help to remove old toxic waste off the walls of the colon. Those who have a history of constipation or other chronic bowel issues may also want to look incorporating a series of colonics as well. A qualified colon therapist can help assess if this is something would be of benefit for you. Doing an ionic foot bath a few times per month or bentonite clay foot or body bath is also a good idea to help draw out toxins from the organs. To watch a video on how ionic foot baths work, go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpuKOtFBztU
Enzymes and Probiotics:
Next would be a good quality plant-based enzyme supplement to help break down the food you are eating- improving digestion and absorption and incorporating a multi strain probiotic to help facilitate a good ratio of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Diet:
I suggest starting by incorporating more fresh or lightly steamed foods into the diet to encourage natural elimination and supplying the body with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. Also, most people do not drink enough water- which helps the body to carry waste out and deliver nutrients in. The best water to drink is alkaline ionized water which is easily absorbed by the body and also helps to balance the body’s pH.
For those with a sugar or caffeine addiction. it’s essential to cut down or eliminate these items altogether as they can overstimulate the body and put more stress on the adrenals and immune system. Suggested method of cutting down or eliminating would be to cut down by 1 cup of coffee per week or for sugar cutting down 1 food that you normally eat that contains sugar and replacing with a fresh fruit or vegetable. Most people find that if they support their adrenals naturally with a whole B complex supplement or an adrenal support supplement to help combat stress like Endo-dren or Ionix Supreme they are not as likely to grab their caffeine or sugar for energy as these supplements will not leave one with the crashed “shaky” feeling a few hours later.
Stress Relief: Stress is also another factor in allergies as excessive or prolonged stress can wreak havoc on the body’s endocrine system and thus in turn can make the body more susceptible to immune issues. For those who are prone to stress, regular massage, stress reducing exercise like walking, yoga or Pilates, and taking supplements that aid in helping the body in combating stress can be very beneficial.
Immune Support:
Chronic Infections can also be an underlying issue in those dealing with miserable allergies. Infections even ones that can appear to be dormant like the herpes virus can put the body at the disadvantage by draining the body’s immunity energy in constantly battling infection. Below are some suggested supplements that will help the body in dealing with these infections as well as supporting the immune system to resist any incoming invaders.
Colostrum:
Colostrum is also known as mother’s “first milk”. This is the first milk produced by all mammals including humans. The body makes this milk before breast milk is available for consumption and is only normally available in the body up to 2 weeks after birth. Colostrum is a wonderful source of nutrition as it is high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies and is also low in fat. Colostrum tends to be generally thick with a yellow or even orangish color. Because Colostrum is not specific to any species it can be beneficial to any mammal including humans.
Colostrum contains an array of immune boosting properties which include:
Immunoglobulins, hormones, enzymes, growth factors, peptides and nucleotides. Colostrum is also found to be a top source of natural MSM, a sulfur compound which helps the body fight infection and reduce inflammation.
Infection Fighter: studies have shown that colostrum appears to have the power to greatly inhibit or potentially destroy the growth of many dangerous bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites including E. coli, Helicobactor pylori, Listeria, rotaviruses, Streptococcus (many different varieties), Staphylococcus (many different strains), Salmonella, Shigella, Bacteroides, Berrelia, Clostridium, HIV and Candida albicans.
Recovery Support: Helps support the body in recovery- especially after surgery or injury.
Lactoferrin Source: Rich in lactoferrin – which helps to support oxygen transport into the blood.
We all know how beneficial Vitamin C to the body’s immune system. Unfortunately, more forms of vitamin C- including capsules, powders, and even liquids are not properly absorbed into the body and more than half of what is ingested in usually passed as waste by the body. The difference between these forms and Liposomal Vitamin C is the body’s ability to digest and absorb it. The Phospholipids in Liposomal Vitamin C protect the Vitamin C from being destroy by your stomach’s digestive powers. In fact, within minutes of taking this form of Vitamin C, it is directly absorbed into the body’s bloodstream and then into the cells.
Because of high bioavailability it is often compared to as getting an IV of Vitamin C.
Some benefits of Vitamin C are:
1. Aids in protecting the cells against free radical damage.
2. Immune Supporter and Booster
3. Supports healthy collagen production
4. Helps repair muscle tissue
5. Important for healthy gums
6. Supports Adrenal health
7. Beneficial for the entire body and optimal health
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive Leaf Extract is a powerful antimicrobial with great antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antioxidant properties. In fact, the first mention of olive leaf in the medical world was an account describing its ability to treat malaria and fever some 150 years ago. Late in the 19th century scientists isolated a phenolic compound they named “oleuropein” from olive leaf’s medicinal properties. It was believed that this compound at this time was responsible olive leaf’s therapeutic qualities. In the late 1960’s Upjohn was able to isolate ilinolic acid and found that its properties were powerful enough to stop every virus that it was tested against. Some of the viruses olive leaf was effective against is: Herpes, Vaccinia, Pseudorabies, Newcastle, Coxsacloe A21, Encepthlomyscarditis, polio 1,2,and 3, vesicular Stomititus, sindbis, retrovirus, Moloney Murine leukemia, Rauscher Murine leukemia, Moloney sarcoma, and many influenza and parainfluenza types.Researchers also credit the olive leaf with the ability to help prevent viral replication as in the case of retroviruses.
Listed below are some of the conditions that olive leaf extract has been shown to be an antimicrobial and antiviral agent: AIDS, Amoebiasis, Anthrax, Athlete’s Foot, Bladder Infection, Campylobacter, Chicken Pox, Chlamydia, Cholera, Common Cold, Cold Sore (herpes simplex), Cryptosporidiosis, Cytomegalovirus, Diarrheal Disease, Diphtheria, Ear Infection, Ebola Sudan Virus, E. Coli, Epstein-Barr Virus, Flu (influenza),Gastric Ulcers (from H. Pylori), Genital Herpes/Warts, Giardia, Gonorrhea, Group B Strep, Hantavirus, Hepatitis A, B, C ,Herpes Zoster (shingles) Lyme Disease, Malaria, Measles, Meningitis (bacterial), Meningitis (viral) Mononucleosis, Pinworms, Pneumonia (bacterial), Pneumonia (viral), Polio, Pork Tapeworm, Rabies, Rheumatic Fever, Ringworm, Retrovirus infection, Roundworm, Rotavirus Infection, RSV, Staphylococcal Food Poisoning, Strep Throat, Syphilis ,Tuberculosis, Thrush, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Trichinosis, Typhoid Fever, Urinary Tract Infections, Vaginal Yeast Infections.
For more information about Olive Leaf Extract check out Dr. Morton Walker’s book “Olive Leaf Extract.”
Other Antimicrobials
There are a variety of other powerful antimicrobials which are great in supporting the immune system and helping the body to fight and eliminate new or chronic infections. Some of these include Colloidal silver, oregano oil, Grape seed extract, Noni, Samento, Takuna, Banderol, Cumanda, Houttuynia, Teasel Root as well as many others. Please be sure to consult a qualified health professional to ensure you are taking the antimicrobial(s) that would be of most benefit to you and in the right dosage.
Other Ideas:
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a term used to describe a variety of techniques and procedures that involve the stimulation of certain points on the body. The most familiar form of acupuncture utilizes thin, solid metallic needles that lightly penetrate the skin on the body and are manipulated either manually or by electrical stimulation. Acupuncture has been practiced in Asian countries for thousands of years and is one of the main components of traditional Chinese medicine. Many who suffer with allergic rhinitis have sought relief through acupuncture. Studies on the effectives of acupuncture for treating these allergies have been mixed, as some show no benefit while others show symptomatic improvement. For example, in 2008 a German study of 5,000+ adults found that using acupuncture seemed to reduce their symptoms significantly when compared to standard treatment.
Butterbur
For those looking for an alternative to Zyrtec or Allegra, Butterbur root may hold the answer. Research has shown its effectiveness as equal of those common antihistamines in relieving swelling in nasal passages, as it seems to work as a leukotriene inhibitor blocking those chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages. Butterbur also does not have sedative side effects which can be common in allergy medications. This can especially be important for those who need to be alert such as in driving a car or flying a plane. Although butterbur is a great alternative it is advised to not eat the raw, unprocessed butterbur root, which is dangerous. One should be on the lookout for butterbur supplements which are labeled UPA- free. There may also be a percentage or milligrams of the beneficial compound Petasin. Butterbur should not be taken continuously for long periods of time as experts are unsure of its safety in long term usage. However, used as needed on a short-term basis, Butterbur can be a wonderful alternative in allergy relief.
Neti Pot:
The neti pot is a smell vessel with a spout and some say it looks like a genie lamp.
Research has shown that it works better then saline nasal spray to help reduce allergy symptoms. 4 ounces of a mixture of distilled or purified warm water and salt are put into the pot, and then while one is standing over a sink, the spout is put on the end of one nostril and the head is gently bent to the side. This allows the saltwater solution to loosen mucous, and other allergens like pollen or pet dander. After one side is done, the other side is done in the same fashion, after which one blows the nose to remove any excess salt water from the sinuses. For allergy relief, some suggest using the Neti Pot twice daily- morning and evening. This is totally up to you as some find benefit from the Neti Pot, while others do not. Remember to clean the Neti Pot thoroughly after each use to prevent bacteria from growing inside. Cleaning Instructions should be included with your Neti Pot. I personally suggest getting the Neti Pot from NeilMed Pharmaceuticals company as the saline solution is already premixed and ready to be used in the proper ratio so as to be gentle and safe for your sinuses. There is also very clear directions for usage.
Allergies can be a pain, but thankfully there are alternatives available for relief. Start by taking steps to boosting your immune system through cleansing, diet, supplement support, stress reduction, immune support and alternative allergy relief. These steps will not only bring you closer to allergy relief and elimination but also to a healthier and more vital body!
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