Huntingdon Pennsylvania Yoga Massage Health Wellness

Allergies and Asthma

by Brandy Siegler

Wellness Specialist

Do you or a loved one suffer from asthma? Do you know someone who deals with the aggravation of allergies? Both asthma and allergies affect millions of American children and adults every year. Spasms, narrowing, and inflammation of the bronchial tubes characterize asthma.

Asthma can be triggered by irritants from the environment, emotional factors, such as stress, nervous system imbalances, allergies, infections, and altered fatty acid metabolism.

In addition, evidence continues to build for the so-called ‘hygiene hypothesis’. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that increasingly sterile environments are to blame for the dramatic rise in allergic diseases during the past few decades. Overuse of antibiotics has been implicated because the drugs kill a wide variety of bacteria in the gut, which may, in turn, weaken the immune system. It is now believed that early childhood exposure to bacteria and other infection-causing agents actually helps protect against allergies and asthma.

Evidence for this hypothesis appeared in the September 30, 2003 Web MD Medical News Review by Michael Smith, M.D. Recent studies have shown that babies treated with antibiotics during the first six months of life may be at increased risk for developing allergies and asthma during childhood. Investigators from Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital reported a greater risk of asthma in children given antibiotics before the age of six months. These children were also almost twice as likely to develop allergies to pets, ragweed, grass, and dust mites by age seven. Clinical epidemiologist and study co-researcher Keoki Williams, MD, MPH, also maintains that high risk children include those who lived in a household with fewer than two cats and/ or dogs, who have a family history of allergies, or who were breastfed for four months or more. Although breastfeeding can contribute to an increase in allergies and asthma, it’s important to note that breastfeeding is associated with a wide array of health benefits and is still the preferred method of feeding young infants. Williams tells Web MD. “[Like antibiotics], breastfeeding is believed to be protective against infections, and if that is so it may be a risk factor for allergies and asthma.”

Now that you have an idea of where these afflictions come from, here are some ideas for treatment. In order to treat both allergies and asthma you must begin by identifying and deleting any foods you may be allergic to, a process that should involve your doctor. Next, you can strengthen both the immune system and the lung tissue with the following: Alfalfa, Vitamin A (beta carotene), Vitamin C, Vitamin E w/ selenium, zinc, B-Complex, magnesium balanced with calcium, Shaklee GLA (gamma linolenic acid) complex, and garlic. Alfalfa has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and in some ways helps to stabilize the immune system. Beta Carotene stabilizes the mucous membranes throughout the body, particularly of the respiratory tract. Beta Carotene is also an antioxidant and protects the integrity of cells against harmful elements of the environment. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine with none of the side effects of drugs. It stabilizes histamine release, reduces mucous secretions, and helps prevent narrowing of the bronchial tubes. Vitamin E has shown to be a powerful antihistamine. It directly suppresses the release of histamine from the mast cells and is well known to be a powerful antioxidant, which enables it to protect the body against the many free radicals or oxidant particles released in an allergic reaction. Vitamin E also seems to slow and regulate the entire inflammatory response. Zinc promotes strong healthy mucous membranes. B-complex keeps immune system tissues, such as the thymus, spleen, and other components of the lymphatic system in good health. It also indirectly helps control blood histamine levels. Magnesium is teamed with manganese, which functions in the enzyme system found in the energy-producing parts of the cell, the mitochondria, which are the site of many oxidation reactions that produce free radical by-products. GLA can reduce histamine release and dilate the bronchial tubes. Garlic encourages normal mucus production rather than the exaggerated fluid production in allergic reactions. Garlic also helps to control and moderate other chemicals released in allergic reactions.

Besides supplementation, one needs to control the environment surrounding the sufferer. Products such as fabric softeners, laundry detergents, household cleaners, and dish washing liquid may make symptoms worse. The problem with these materials is that they are often made of harsh chemicals that are not easily rinsed from whatever it is that you are cleaning. The leftover residue is what makes many people sick and keeps them sick. It is best to choose products that are biodegradable and as natural as possible.

Another good idea for treating respiratory problems is to keep your air clean. The Air Source 3000 by Shaklee is a revolutionary product that has no filters to change (a simple bulb replacement once a year), makes no noise, and cleans an area of 3000 square feet! Shaklee also carries supplements, hair care products, skin care products, a make-up line, cleaning products, and laundry products that are friendly to both the environment and people!

For more information on these impressive products and what they can do to improve your health please call….Concepts In Wellness, Brandy Siegler; Wellness Specialist

814-643-3768 www.shaklee.net/wellnesswithbrandy

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