Identifying Adverse Food Reactions

For the past 40 years the numbers of asthma and allergy sufferers have been steadily climbing. In 2005, 54% of Americans showed a positive reaction to skin-scratch testing for at least one allergen. If you polled your friends today you would likely find several who are avoiding gluten, dairy, or some other common food. Why are allergies, intolerances, and adverse reactions to foods becoming so common?

The increasing load of environmental toxicants in our food, air, and water has been shown to cause an immune system imbalance that leads to increased rates of allergies, and a reduced ability to fight infections.  The toxicants that cause this include ones that we all breathe daily: diesel and gasoline exhaust, as well as plastics and a host of other compounds. In addition to the increased environmental toxicant burden that is causing people’s bodies to be increasingly reactive, the food supply is also to blame.

Food intolerances (with the exception of gluten intolerance) are caused by an insufficiency of digestive enzymes to break down a specific food. Adverse food reactions can have an immune component (insufficient levels of digestive enzymes), a compromised mucosal barrier (low secretory IgA and leaky gut), as well as dysbiosis. A person can also be allergic to the very enzymes that are used to break down the foods we eat. Once cleared for the sensitivity, an allergy sufferer can be started on digestive enzymes to aid with their digestion. Another major component are the TH-2 cells which are white blood cells that are used by the body to deal with allergies. Sometimes these cells are not functioning in the way they were meant to function. In cases like these it is important to aid the body with homeopathic remedies to allow these cells to start functioning in the way our bodies were originally designed. Adverse food reactions can in many cases be eliminated, as the body heals.

 

The Greatest Cell Phone Lie Exposed

Everyone knows cell phones are safe. If they weren’t, you’d already know about it. That is perhaps the greatest disconnect of our age. The book titled Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family by Devra Davis Ph.D., M.P.H. is an explosive expose of how cell phone radiation damages the human body’s cells. Cell phones are not safe.

The most popular gadget ever has been shown to damage DNA, break down the brain’s defenses, and reduce sperm count, while increasing memory loss, the risk of cancer, and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and possibly even autism. The growing brains of children make them especially vulnerable. And around half of the more than four billion cell phone users are under age 20. This book presents the recent and long suppressed  research demonstrating the national emergency we now face.

Did you know that most cell phones come with a notice that says, “do not hold closer than one inch from your body.”?

Did you know that insurance companies refuse to provide coverage to cell phone companies and operators in case of claims of health damage from long-term operation of their devices?

All brains of mammals come protected  by our bony skulls. There is another form of defense of the brain as well, called the blood-brain barrier. Like many parts of the body, this barrier develops as we mature and does not exist at birth. Scientists noticed that injecting blue dye into the blood turned the body and tissue of the entire animal blue, but the brain remained pink-grey. This so called barrier is understood to protect the brain from taking in the wrong things, like agents that can dissolve the protective fatty sheaths called myelin that surround our nerves.

Research shows that radio frequency radiation breaks down the blood brain barrier.  When the blood-brain barrier is breached, then anything circulating into our bodies at the time, alcohol, drugs, toxic chemicals, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust, will more readily enter the brain from the blood. One can only imagine the negative affects this can have on the health of our brains and increase our chances of acquiring a chronic disease of the brain. Please take a look at the video on our website.

Dissecting Toxic Links to Sleep

Sleep is a required need to sustain life., and quality sleep is critical to vital and abundant health. One of the most overlooked relationships in acquiring quality sleep is the role that the mattress plays. Most people, including health care professionals, have little understanding of what qualifies as a good sleeping surface; and more concerning, knowledge of the materials that are used in making those surfaces.  The evolution of the modern mattress has moved in the direction that is both less supportive of our physical structural needs and toward the use of more synthetic materials that on a physiological level can unknowingly expose the sleeper to potentially harmful toxicities.

The cotton batting for cushioning that was widely used up until the 1950s, has been replaced with polyurethane, which is less expensive than cotton. Polyurethane foam is made from petroleum-based products which are known to emit volatile organic compounds, and exposure to such has been linked to respiratory irritation and other health problems.  Over the past 30 years, the cotton used in mattress production, as well as some of the springs, has been completely replaced by the synthetic foams.

Most mattresses sold today contain some polyurethane foam and many contain specialty foams such as latex or memory foam, which consistently break down and release chemicals. The most common toxic materials used in making a mattress include: petrochemicals, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), formaldehyde, antimony trioxide, phthalates and boric acid. These chemicals are used for the foam fillers, material adhesives, as well as for water resistance. Most are used to make the mattress flame retardant, per federal law, causing mattress toxicity to increase. All these chemicals give off fumes called off-gassing and will continue to give off fumes even after the off-gassing smell is no longer detectable.

 

Concussions in Sports: Nutrients for Healing

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that may result in a bad headache, altered levels of alertness, or unconsciousness. It temporarily interferes with the way your brain works. Concussions are on the rise in high school sports, and it can occur in any sport or reaction activities. The first priority nutritionally would be to help heal the current injury—in this case, the part of the brain injured by the concussion. By speeding the healing process, the overall pain and the duration of pain is reduced, thereby lessening the amount of substance P released within the thalamus of the brain.

Reviewed studies reveals that the speedy intake of the below macro and micro nutrients should be made common practice “almost immediately” —both right after a concussion and for two weeks following the concussion.

Initially, after Injury:

1) Protein– Helps heal the injury. Take 1g/kg of weight, within a day of the injury.

2) Creatine– Helps give the brain an intense and immediate hit of energy needed to help cells heal right after an injury.

3) DHA– An omega 3 fish oil, which is an essential brain lipid that is criti cal for maximal brain health and protection.

4) Antioxidants-Alpha Lipoic Acid: protects the both the fatty and water soluble part of the cells.

5) Choline– Critical for brain development.

6) Vitamin D– All the known benefits, and now considered neuro protect tive as well.

7) Zinc– Enzyme for central nervous system health. The brain is part of the central nervous system.

8) Magnesium– One of the best weapons against delayed brain injury. It is  a co-factor in over 300 metabolic reactions, reduces inflammation, and elevates glutathione in cells (an antioxidant).

 

What are your Allergies?

Allergies come in many different forms. Pollen is a common culprit, but people can be allergic to almost anything. Here are a few lesser-known causes of allergies to watch out for.

1) Beer– A protein in barley (used in many beers) called LTP can cause itchy skin, headaches, and nausea.

2) Cold– Cold temperatures prompt the skin to produce histamine, an organic nitrogen compound that makes blood vessels contract– and that some people are allergic to (along with similar “chemical mediators” produced when the body feels cold).

3) Cell phones– Yes, you can have an allergic reaction to your cell phone, or at least the nickel used in it (as well as in belt buckles and watch bands). Nickel can cause a rash that’s frequently mistaken for eczema.

4) Water– Although it is rare, aquagenic uticaria is recognized as a condition in which contact with water causes itching, pain, and hives. Even tears can trigger a reaction.

5) Shoes-Leather, as well as the resins used to treat it and the glues used in footwear manufacturing, can cause inflammation and cracked skin. One in roughly 500 people suffers from the condition and must avoid leather in their clothing.

Beating Jet Lag

Frequent travelers know it well: jet lag, that feeling of not being in sync with the local time zone after a lengthy flight. It can produce feelings of fatigue, nausea, headache, dizziness, irritability, and even constipation or diarrhea.

The medical name for it is desynchronosis, and though you may not be able to eliminate it completely from your itinerary, you can minimize its effects upon arrival. Here’s how to get your trip off to a good start.

1) Adjust your sleep schedule before leaving. As much as possible in the days before your departure, try to match your sleep schedule to the time zone you’ll be in. Go to bed and get up a little earlier.

2) Stay in Shape. The better your physical condition is before you travel, the easier the transition will be. Exercise regularly, eat well, and get rest.

3) Wear comfortable clothing. You’ll be able to relax better on the plane if your clothes are loose and your shoes don’t restrict your movement or blood flow.

4) Drink lots of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine on the plane, but drink plenty of other liquids to minimize the effects of dehydration that can accompany air travel. The body does not detoxify as well at high altitudes which makes water especially important as well as taking your multiple vitamin before and right after being on the plane.

5) Walk around the plane. Once the seatbelt sign is off, follow the crew’s advice and feel free to move about the cabin. Keeping you blood flowing will make you feel better and lower the risk of developing blood clots that inactivity can cause.

6) Adapt to the local schedule quickly. You’ll be tired when you arrive, but don’t go right to bed if the local time is 8 a.m. Try to stay up, or take just a brief nap. Get out into the sunlight as much as possible—exposure to the sun’s rays will help your body adjust to the new clock.

7) If you have purchased a Mini Harmonizer from our office, having this on near you while you are flying can also help with Jet lag. This machine puts off the Earth’s natural frequency which helps re-charge the body.

Too Hard to Stomach

The risks associated with antacids might outweigh the potential benefits they offer.  Do you know what proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are?  They are a specific group of antacid medications designed to reduce the body’s natural acid production. Unfortunately, they may provide more than the user bargained for.

PPIs are commonly prescribed for gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition where gastric contents pass into the esophagus with associated symptoms such as chest pain, dysphasia, disturbed sleep, chronic cough, wheezing, and hoarseness. The proposed etiology is that GERD is caused from too much acid in the stomach refluxing into the esophagus. Treatment is suppose to suppress acid secretion from the parietal cells of the stomach.

The majority of those suffering from gastric reflux may actually be suffering from too little acid (hypochlorhydria), which is contrary to the current theory of reflux being caused by too much acid. People who have low stomach acid levels commonly have symptoms of chronic gas, flatulence, bloating, and constipation of diarrhea. The weak acid environment slows digestion.

The protein in their food sits in the stomach and putrefies instead of digesting. This faulty digestive process is associated with weak acids, not highly acidic hydrochloric acid. These acids trickle up the open door into the esophagus causing the pain called “gastric reflux.”

The barrier that prevents acids from traveling from your stomach up into your esophagus is called the esophageal sphincter. This special muscular “door” keeps acid in the stomach and is controlled by special nerves called the vagus and splachnic nerves.  The proposed management of this condition is to identify any spinal misalignments affecting the nerves that control esophageal spincters, as well as supplementation with betain HCL.

12 Gifts of Good Health

Instead of giving your loved one a partridge in a pear tree and lords a-leaping this year, why not give a healthful gift that keeps on giving? The following presents are as good to give as they are to receive.

1) 1 molasses cookie– Molasses may be helpful in weight loss.

2) 2 ounces of almonds-It can help with Type II diabetes.

3) 3 ounces of salmon– The omega 3 fatty acids can be anti-inflammatory.

4) 4 ounces of red wine– May help raise HDL in the body.

5) 5 yoga poses-Can help with flexibility and range of motion

6) 6 ounces of Greek yogurt– Contains 2x the protein and 1/2 the sugar.

7) 7 servings of veggies– Increases brain functioning.

8) 8 hours of sleep– Lack of sleep is linked to many health issues.

9) 9 minutes of meditation– Improves memory and reduces stress.

10)  10 minutes of activity– 3 ten minute bouts of activity a day for health.

11)  11 minutes of sunlight– Sun exposure allows the body to produce Vit D

12)  12 weeks of resistance training– Moderate-intensity resistance training exercise including seven different exercises for three sets of 12 reps was shown to reduce high blood pressure after 12 weeks.

Christmas can be a very stressful time but it is during this time that we really need to take care of ourselves and not let our health go by the wayside. Try to refrain from eating all those delicious Christmas cookies and maybe have an apple or pear instead. Have a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic healthy new you for the New Year.

Doctored, Exposing the Modern Medical Monopoly

A new documentary focusing on the benefits of alternative approaches to healthcare seeks to start a national dialog about the American medical industry. Doctored explores issues concerning chiropractic and alternative healthcare.

From the award winning producer who brought you On Native Soil comes a shocking new documentary on the monopolization of our medical system.

“Your back pain will require SURGERY”
“Without these pills, you face life-long PAIN”
“Your child’s behavior requires MEDICATION”

That’s what the doctor tells you, but who tells the doctor what to say?

A visit to the doctor can be traumatic enough. Now we learn about the “influencers” – the people you never see, but whose job it is to turn you into a compliant, pill popping, revenue generation unit. And at all costs.

Doctored reveals the unseen tactics of these “influencers” in an investigation that leads to the highest levels of the American Medical Association (AMA) and reveals an alarming portrait of deception and criminality. Along the way we wonder:

• Is much of what we “know” about modern medicine just slick marketing from companies that profit when we’re in pain (or by putting us in pain)?
• Why aren’t we being told about the successes of natural therapies?

Why do so many people think chiropractors are “quacks,” nutritional supplements a waste of money, and acupuncture a fringe therapy?

The Toxic Home

No one can deny that industrialization has created  quite a few conveniences. But with these modern-day conveniences  have come moden-day health hazards—the worst being those that are potentially toxic to ourselves and our children. What common household items can be putting you at risk?

1) Off-Gassing– This word was first used in 1966 to describe the release of gaseous chemicals from a solid. The top 10 sources of off-gassing in order of concern include common household items/products: mattresses, stains/varnishes, carpet, insulation, flooring materials (vinyl, glues, finishes, adhesives), countertops, cabinets, particle board, paint strippers, and cleaning supplies. The EPA defines “off-gassing” as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. The typical symptoms of exposure to VOCs include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and/or worsening of asthma symptoms. For those who have long term exposure to VOCs, there is an increased risk of cancer, liver and kidney damage or central nervous system damage.

2) Mattresses– Petroleum based chemicals are used in some foam mattresses, and synthetic fabrics are treated with chemical fire retardants. Mattresses and bedding made using these particular chemicals can potentially cause reactions in people with chemical sensitivities. The majority of these chemicals have not been tested on young children and have rarely been tested for long term exposure.

3) “Green” Light Bulbs– Highly efficient fluorescent light bulbs are supposedly environmentally friendly, but this is one of those times that “going green” comes with a caution. These bulbs contain mercury and are not supposed to be disposed of in the garbage, but instead at an approved recycling facility or a toxic waste dump. The major concern is when these bulbs break, releasing a toxic gas. In this case, it is suggested that everyone should leave the house, and that the room should be ventilated for at lease one hour. Don’t touch the pieces of glass while cleaning up, seal them in a plastic bag, and take them to a toxic waste dump.

In addition to the above considerations, I recommend purchasing organic and holistic cleaners, and using caution when purchasing new products.