Category: Allergy

Feeling like your head is full of fuzz is not high on my list of desirable experiences, and I’m betting it’s not at the top of yours, either!

Dragging your way out of bed and through your day during allergy season can seem like a momentous effort, and it’s even worse when you can’t remember why, exactly, you got out of bed in the first place. Millions of people suffer from allergies in the US all year round, but not all of them know what allergies can do to your brain.

The brain drain

Allergies have more of an effect on your brain than you may think. When your body encounters an allergen, it reacts in a series of steps that causes many different symptoms, including inflammation. If, for example, your middle ear can’t drain properly because of the swelling, you could end up dizzy or with brain fog. Allergies can cause a lack of proper sleep, which takes its toll on your brain, too.

Research has also shown that allergies can really impair your cognitive function. A study published in the Journal of The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that people who had seasonal allergies experienced problems in cognitive function areas such as short- and long-term memory, attention span and the speed at which their brain processed information (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=19226277).

Another study, reported in the Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, discovered that a reaction to ragweed pollen makes some people experience mood changes and become very tired, causing the researchers to theorize that allergic reactions may be behind biochemical changes that have a direct impact on the nervous system (https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2002/07000/Effects_of_Seasonal_Allergic_Rhinitis_on_Fatigue.19.aspx).

Now that you know that your slower mind during allergy season isn’t just “all in your head,” it’s time to learn what you can do to reduce the symptoms. The first step you can take is to reduce your exposure to what you’re allergic to. Avoid synthetic clothing as static electricity can make pollen stick to you. Use gloves and a mask when you garden to reduce pollen exposure, and vacuum your house regularly with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter air purifier can help weed out pollen in your home, too.

Last but certainly not least is the neti pot. Rinsing your sinuses out with this salt water delivery system can help ease your nasal passages and rinse away lingering pollen you’ve breathed in during the day!

What’s up, foodies?

If you’re like me and everyone else, you probably love bread, carbs and all that jazz, even if it’s not good for you. I’m sure you’ve heard enough about carbs to last you two lifetimes, and you probably feel the same way about gluten, but how much do you really know about this protein?

What gluten actually is

Gluten is a protein that has molecules known as gliadin and glutenin that make an elastic-type bond when they are mixed with water. This is why gluten is so often used in foods like cakes and breads, because it provides that spongy texture that bakers are usually after. It is also in many flours, brans and germs, which explains why it shows up in everything from pastas and beers to gravies, dressings and sauces.

While it does great things for baked goods, the same isn’t true for what it does to your body. Research indicates that gluten can cause harm because of some of the complications it can cause.

What gluten does

The major issue with gluten is that it can prevent the proper breakdown and absorption of nutrients from foods, and this happens whether those goods have gluten in them or not. This can prevent you from digesting things correctly since excess gluten can lead to the formation of a “glued” lump in your gut that causes constipation. That undigested gluten prompts your immune system to attack the lining of your small intestine, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation (https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/), and can leave you with stomach pain, nausea, constipation or diarrhea.

Over time, eating too much gluten can make the inflammation and damage to your small intestine worse, leaving you short on nutrients you need for your body to work properly. At that point, you become vulnerable to a large variety of conditions, including osteoporosis, anemia and complications with your nervous system and liver, to name just a few.

People can be allergic to gluten, intolerant to gluten, sensitive to gluten or have a condition known as celiac disease. The disease is an autoimmune condition, according to Coeliac UK (https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease/gluten-sensitivity/) and not simply a food intolerance or sensitivity.

Gluten can be harmful to many people, and it can be hard to tell which side of the fence you fall on. Eliminating all gluten from your diet can help you determine whether you are suffering from any negative effects when you eat it.

There is probably nothing that can disrupt our day more than dealing with a short burst of allergies, or even more challenging, chronic allergies. I always think about actor Will Smith in the movie “Hitch” where he ate some food that gave him such an allergic reaction, that his ear, nose, and face began to swell and he rushed into the drugstore to get an antihistamine. Whether it’s runny nose, itchy eyes, fatigue, or congestion, none of it is fun. So what can we do naturally? There are so many options when it comes to our health and allergies. First we have to look at what causes allergies in the first place. Allergies are usually started by the body’s inability to break down proteins. There are different reasons for this, however, it happens often to many. The proteins release a substance called histamine produced by the basophils or mast cells. This is what creates the reaction that we have to whatever we are allergic to such as foods, pets, pollen, chemicals, etc. So what can we do? There are some basics that will help you when dealing with allergies. Here can be a great place to start. And not only do I understand this due to years of working with people, but I took allergy shots for over 10 years as a youth and struggled tremendously with allergies. 

1.Consider Hydrochloric Acid 
After age 40 we start to lower our ability to be able to break down our proteins due to diminishing HCL in our digestive system. The lack of HCL causes our digestion to not work as effectively and can cause issues with allergies and poor digestion.

2.Apple Cider Vinegar 
It’s one of the oldest remedies that we have known that can be a great help for the body. A major key is that it helps with digestion of proteins. My favorite drink is seltzer water, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and stevia. 

3.Eliminate The Wheat and Dairy 
I get asked and no it’s not forever. Consider it for 8 weeks. These are the two categories of foods that can create the greatest challenge for people. By eliminating them, and then slowly adding them back in, you will be able to determine if they could be a culprit. 

4.Exercise 
The lymphatic system is on that can be a player in whether you are going to have issues with allergies or not. The more active you are, the more it pumps the lymphatic system. This will help the body push out more histamine and improve digestion. 

5.Get Fresh Air Daily 
We all tend to stay indoors for work. If you are indoors all day, you might consider that indoor air quality is a major contributor to allergies. Even if you get your internal environment right, you must get your external environment right to really make a difference for empowering your health.  

Check out our natural digestion kit that can help support allergies HERE

No matter what time of year it is it seems I am constantly bombarded with questions about how to get rid of allergies. The constant symptoms of itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and the list goes on. Do you just take an anti-histamine and hope for the best? Or what do we do? There are many natural ways to eliminate allergies that we struggle with each day. So lets get to it. Here are some natural methods proven to help the allergies that we face every day. First we have to understand what causes our allergies. We struggle with allergies usually due to a digestive system that is not working up to its potential. When we eat foods that we are sensitive to, or our digestive system is weakened, then we create a substance called histamine. Listen, this histamine is what causes the bulk of what we struggle with as far as symptoms go. Here are some basic natural methods to implement into your daily routine that can help you overcome these allergies. 

1.Probiotics 
Probiotics are found in certain fermented foods and made in a supplement form. My favorite is called Theralac. The quality of a supplement is vital if you choose to use one. In a recent study in the British Journal of Medicine, it was proven that using probiotics cut allergies in half. 

2.Vitamin C 
Eat your fruits and vegetables. Its amazing to me that only 1.5% of Americans eat fruits and vegetables. The foods richest in Vitamin C are the ones that help lower the histamine levels in the body. 

3.Magnesium 
This is one of the keys. We are so deficient in magnesium. Our soil just doesn’t have what it needs to function at its highest level. Most nuts and seeds are loaded with magnesium. Magnesium is a powerful bronchodilator and anti-histamine. The best form of magnesium is glycinate. It is also best to take before bed and watch how your sleep will improve for empowering your health. 

4.Fish 
The higher our omega 3 fatty acids, the lower our histamine will be. I always recommend having an omega 3 fatty acid blood test to see where your overall levels are. Low levels of omega 3 fats are one of the main contributing factors for increased allergies. Salmon and mackerel are some of the best choices. And don’t forget your cod liver oil! 

5.Vitamin E 
Make sure to get your vitamin E. gamma-tocopherol is the version that tends to work the best. There was a study done recently at Michigan State University that lowered allergies and overall inflammation. I get asked about supplements. If you use a supplement, make sure it’s the natural vitamin E marked as d-alpha, rather than the synthetic version called dl-alpha.