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Allergy Health
Written by Christina Whitford

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Allergy Relief
Asthma's Nutrition
Breathe Easy
Food Allergies
Fighting Inflammation
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Colostrum

Breathe Easy
Don't underestimate the danger of asthma. When an asthmatic attack chokes the passageways to your lungs, cutting off your air supply, the consequences can prove frightening and disastrous. Although asthma is the leading chronic illness among children, most sufferers are adults. The condition ranks as the 7th most common chronic affliction nationwide affecting 14 to 20 million people; about 11 million of these are over the age of 18.

Supplements talk about on This Page
Colostrum
Omega-3 fatty acids
magnesium
Garlic
Milk thistle
MSM
Bee Pollen
Ephedra
Licorice root
Enzymes
Quercetin
Vitamin C
Vitamin B6

The American Lung Association estimates that between 1982 and 1992 the total number of asthma cases jumped by more than 57%. Researchers can't pinpoint the reasons for this rise, but they have found that urban dwellers suffer a higher asthma risk. Despite the gloomy statistics, those who suffer asthma can take reassurance from the progressive development of complementary and conventional treatments that control this condition. Anyone who suffers asthma should consult with a knowledgeable health practitioner. How does asthma start? This airway problem may originate with allergies and sinus or bronchial infections (the bronchi are the tubes leading to the lungs). Some experts believe that air pollution, dust mites, cockroach remains and other environmental toxins may exacerbate the condition. A family history of allergies and asthma also increases your asthmatic vulnerability since your genes may make you more prone to the airway inflammation that leads to breathing constraints.

Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when the body is reacting to a substance that doesn't appear to be a food. Dairy products, for example, have become so homogenized that all the particles of milk are the same size. As a result, the body thinks the particles are too bid to be a food, that it must be a bacteria or something, and so it says, "Let's kill the thing." Food has been altered to such a degree that it doesn't have the things it needs to have for the body to react properly. The result: allergic reactions. But not all food is problematic. For example, colostrum is a richly nutritious derivative of milk that may be helpful in alleviating the immune reactions that can lead to allergies. The immune factors in colostrum are believed to modify response by immune cells so they are better able to fulfill their functions. Colostrum may also help nullift the effects of micro-organisms and toxins. Allergic reactions to food have been implicated in causing restricted breathing. Food found to most frequently instigate immediate lung difficulties include nuts, peanuts (which are, technically, legumes not nuts), eggs, shellfish and fish. Foods that do not cause immediate wheezing but may produce a delayed respiratory effect include artificial food colorings, wheat, citrus fruits, milk, chocolate and wheat products. Since an allergic reaction to particular foods can apparently play a role in asthma, some people find relief by systematically eliminating foods from their diets, identifying troublesome items and then permanently avoiding those foods.

Fighting Inflammation

Ask the Expert about Fatty Acids (click)

Since allergic reactions typically produce inflammation of mucous membranes, many naturopaths advocate use of nutrients like selenium, zinc and vitamin A to protect these exposed tissues. Why is it so vital to protect these membranes? These cells provide our front line defense against allergens, microbes and pollution. Research suggests that overactive mucous membranes, which are constantly fighting off the effects of pollution, toxins and allergens, eventually grow more prone to allergic reactions. As added protection, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil and flaxseed, can also hold down harmful inflammation. Some omega-6 fats, such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in primrose, borage and currant seed oils, can also fight inflammation.

Magnesium Help

Ask the Expert about Minerals (click)

Magnesium, a mineral that can help ease spasms in your bronchial tubes, also may be helpful in soothing the more uncomfortable aspects of allergies. This essential mineral is believe to help relive nasal annoyances. Research on laboratory animals at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, demonstrated that a lack of magnesium resulted in problematically high histamine levels. On the other paw, animals who received adequate magnesium had less histamine circulating in their blood.

Apparently, magnesium plays a complicated role in regulating the flow of calcium in and out of cells, and also has an effect on other bio-chemicals that take part in immune reactions. When magnesium is missing or only present in small amounts, those reactions can foment an immune response that releases extra histamine. The extra histamine may then go on to stimulate the allergic reactions that allergy sufferers know and hate: drippy noses, tearing eyes and nasal congestion. Other histamine-related problems can include rashes, pain and redness. Dr. Firshein reports that about 50 years ago, medical researchers discovered that treating asthma victims with magnesium sulfate opened up breathing passageways. Although magnesium by itself does not completely alleviate asthma attacks, many emergency room doctors still use it in conjunction with other treatments to restore breathing. In explaining magnesium's usefulness in alleviating asthma, Dr. Firshein notes that magnesium competes with calcium in each cell to influence asthmatic reactions. For instance, calcium stimulates mast cells (reactive immune cells) to release histamine, a chemical that foments allergic reactions that hinder breathing. Conversely, magnesium "stabilizes" mast cells, quieting their activity so that they retain their histamine instead of flooding breathing passages. In addition, calcium takes part in muscle contractions that can constrict breathing tube muscles. Magnesium can help relax those same muscles. Although intravenous treatment with magnesium for acute asthma attacks must be carried out by a trained health professional, taking magnesium supplements over a period of time, may gradually help assuage asthma's wheezes. How do you tell if you're short of magnesium? Standard blood tests of magnesium levels may be inadequate. As Dr. Firshein points out, normal blood tests only examine the amount of magnesium floating in the blood's plasma. That level can apparently appear sufficient even if red blood cells are magnesium-deficient. (Dr. Firshein recommends asking your health practitioner for a special red blood cell test.)

It's Time to Detoxify

Some people are allergic to latex, the rubber used in surgical and food handling gloves. Whenever they eat out, they mysteriously get allergic symptoms because the food prepares used latex gloves. Chemically-sensitive people are literally poisoned by chemicals, and their bodies need to be detoxified to remove the heavy metals that have accumulated.

Researchers have discovered that garlic is a powerful detoxified and body cleanser. in one pilot study, Honolulu dentist Dr. Samuel Wong used garlic to treat 14 patients with silver-mercury amalgam fillings. He found that garlic helped take mercury out his patients systems.

Detoxification is normally accomplished by the liver-the largest organ in the human body. Besides regulating sugars and metabolizing proteins, the liver detoxifies alcohol, drugs and other poisonous chemicals that enter the body. When liver cells break down, the liver loses this function and the body becomes poisoned.

In one detoxifying study, researchers headed by Dr. Tohru Fuwa at the Central Research Laboratories of Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Company in Japan reported in the Hiroshima Journal of Medical Sciences that four of the six sulfur-containing compounds isolated from garlic protected liver cells from damage caused by a toxic chemical, carbon tetrachloride. This finding was confirmed by Dr. Hiroshi Hikino and associates at the Pharmaceutical Institute of Tohoku University.

The best source is not fresh garlic, because it has the tendency to burn. Instead look to aged garlic extract, which isolates the most effective ingredients of garlic and is odorless.

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	Bioflavonoids work synergistically with Vitamin C, boosting its antioxidant properties. This precisely calibrated Nature's Plus formula blends Vitamin C and Bromelain with the potent bioflavonoid Quercetin. Nature’s Plus is committed to offering the best supplements available anywhere. Look for the Nature’s Plus The Energy Supplements logo as your guarantee of quality.
	Garlicin is the most effective garlic supplement on the market today. It is 100% odor free and has the highest effective allicin yield of any garlic product.
	Each capsule contains this unique extract standardized to 80% silymarin. In head-to-head research, Thisilyn has been shown to be twice as bioavailable as other milk thistle brands. Each Capsules contains: 175 mg Thisilyn, dried milk thistle extract with enhanced bioavailability.
HAS Hayfever, Allergy, Sinus	A fast-acting all natural nasal decongestant with Pseudopephedrine supported by many beneficial herbs. This formula is for the temporary relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold, hayfever or other upper respiratory allergies.

Methylsulfonylmethane sounds like a chemical you should avoid. Not so. Actually, MSM is a dietary source of sulfur, necessary for production of valuable amino acids. Studies have shown it to be extremely helpful in not only building up the body's immune system, but in alleviating allergic symptoms, including those due to the environment.

Asthma's Nutrition Gap

According to Richard N. Firshein, D.O., director of the Firshein Center for Comprehensive Medicine in New York City, asthma stems from cells' "disordered metabolism." In these circumstances, the body's immune system often mistakes allergens (normally benign substances) for infectious agents. In strenuously defending itself against allergens, the body goes on "red alert," says Dr. Firshein in his book Reversing Asthma (Warner), "exhausting itself in the process." This creates a need for extra vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Too often, he believes, this nutritional need is not met and asthma ensues.

Bee Pollen	Bee Pollen works well for hay fever because it contains particles of the pollens people are sensitive to and desensitizes the immune systems. Bee pollen is also high in minerals and sterols. With bee pollen, minute qualities get into your system and work like a vaccine.
Ephedra for Asthma	Ever since about 3,000 BC, Chinese health practitioners have been giving the herb ma huang (Ephedra sinica) to asthma sufferers. In the 1920s, western medical researchers extracted a chemical called ephedrine from ma huang and soon synthesized this substance for use as a pharmaceutical. However, herbal experts believe that there are other beneficial substances in ma huang besides ephedrine that can ease breathing. Although ephedra has been used successfully to ward off the allergies of hayfever as well as mild asthma, when this herb is taken over a long period its benefits may lessen. The reason: eventually the herb's ephedrine weakens the adrenal glands, according to Michael Murray, ND, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND, in the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima). To offset this effect, they recommend supporting the use of ephedra with licorice (Glycerrhiza glabra) as well as ginseng (Panax ginseng) which support the adrenals. In addition, vitamins C and B6 and zinc and magnesium plus pantothenic acid also boost adrenal function. Research
Enzymes	In a healthy individual, food is partially broken down in the mouth by thorough chewing, then further broken down by stomach acid, then the vitamins, minerals and enzymes are absorbed in the intestines for distribution through the bloodstream into the body's cells. In many cases of food allergies, it is a problem in one of these areas that causes the food to remain whole in the intestine. When food enters the intestine without being broken down first the body considers it foreign. That's where the allergy symptoms come in, as the body tries to flush out the foreign substance with mucus and irritation. Research
Licking Asthma with Licorice	Since much of asthma's deleterious effects on health stem from the fact it inflames breathing passageways, licorice root, which acts to squelch inflammation and which calms allergies, can be helpful in restoring normal breathing. Licorice, according to Drs. Murray and Pizzorno, promulgates the persistence of cortical in our body, a hormone that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. As an extra benefit, licorice can also forestall the side effects of cortisone, one of the most widely prescribed medicines for asthma. Licorice also boosts cortisone's desirable anti-inflammatory action while inhibiting the action of enzymes that would otherwise increase unwanted inflammation. Research
Quercetin	Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, is valued for its anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin is the most effective nutritional antihistamine I have seen yet. it also acts to protect vitamin C from getting broken down in the body. Quercetin is so powerful, it is compared to cromolyn, a prescription antihistamine. Quercetin is found in yellow and red onions. Research
Vitamin C	Vitamin C, the most abundant antioxidant nutrient in the lungs' inner lining, apparently protects against respiratory problems. Studies of people with asthma show that they possess less vitamin C both in their circulating blood and in white blood cells. When researchers induced bronchial constriction in people who volunteered for respiratory studies, they found that those given vitamin C didn't have as hard a time breathing. Experts recommend healthy doses of vitamin C plus other antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E, carotenoids and selenium to lower the risk of allergic reactions and ease breathing. Antioxidant nutrients restrict the action of free radicals, molecules that attack the lungs and other parts of the cardiovascular system. Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) also effectively fights inflammation without causing serious side effects. Experts believe its bioflavonoids stop the body from making biochemical that inflame tissues. Aside from restricting inflammation, these bioflavonoids also act as antioxidants. Research
Vitamin B6	Five New York physicians designed a five-month, double-blind experiment with 76 youthful patients with moderate severe asthma. half of the patients were given two 100 mg. of Vitamin B6. the other half received placebos. One month passed, and there was almost no difference between the two groups. However, with the start of the second month, the patients receiving the vitamin b6 had fewer asthma attacks and less breathing difficulty, wheezing and coughing.

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Asthma- Fighting Nutrients

For maximum absorption, take supplements with meals

Nutrient	Suggested Dosage
Ages Garlic	1 tablets. three times daily
Antioxidants (grape seed)	4 capsules daily
Borage Oil	2 capsules daily
Flaxseed Oil	1 tablespoon with meals
Licorice DLG Chewable	1-2 capsules before meals
Enzymes	1 capsules before meals
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)	500 mg three times daily
Magnesium	500 mg daily
Vitamin C	1/4 teaspoon twice daily
Multi-Vitamin/Mineral	2-3 ounces daily
Niacinamide	1,000 mg, twice daily
Vitamin B6	100 mg. twice daily
Quercetin with vitamin C plus Bromelain	250 mg. three times daily

Strength in Numbers

Asthma support organizations can provide vital information: Organizations American Lung Association 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019-43741 (800) LUNG-USA http://www.lungusa.org Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics Inc., 3554 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 385-4403, (800) 878-4403 http://www.podi.com/health/aanma Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America,1125 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502 Washington, DC 20005 (800) 727-8462 http://www.aasa.org