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Allergies: How To Avoid Them

Are allergies a problem? Some medical statistics indicate that 1-in-7 Americans experienced the symptoms of an allergy in 1950. By 1970, approximately 1-in-5 reported having allergies. And by 1985, approximately 75 Million Americans, or 1-in-3, suffered from allergies.

Nutritional Support for Allergies Click this link for details on how allergies are caused, and how to combat allergies with nutrition.

What is an allergy?
An allergy is a catch-all word for a wide variety of reactions to substances that the body determines to be foreign. Anything that it does not recognize as itself can be considered an allergen. When the body encounters a foreign substance, it reacts by making antibodies or releasing certain chemicals called histamines. When histamines and other substances are released into the system, they cause an inflammatory reaction we call an allergy.

What are the symptoms?
The inflammatory reaction affects the tissue and organs, mainly the skin, mucous membranes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms commonly produced include itching and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and sinuses, sneezing, respiratory symptoms, headache, skin reactions and rapid heart beat. Other symptoms may include fatigue, intestinal gas or pain, abdominal bloating and mood changes.

Primary external factors causing allergies
Natural environmental substances: Mold, spores, pollen from trees, flowers and grasses, dust (actually dust mites), animal hairs and insects are common substances that normally produce upper respiratory symptoms (allergies ) in sensitive individuals. These allergy producing substances may cause itching, redness and fluid (water & mucous) may affect the eyes, throat, nose, sinuses, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

Foods: Any food may be an allergen. The most common are wheat, milk, eggs, com, yeast coffee and chocolate. These may affect most body systems, with the gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory and skin areas affected the most when allergies occur.

Chemicals: Both environmental chemicals and food additives can cause allergy reactions, such as pesticides, chemical sprays, hydrocarbons, and hundreds of others. Tobacco also contains many allergens.

Foods commonly associated with specific allergies

Allergy Symptom Associated Foods
Headaches Wheat, chocolate
Migraine Headaches Alcoholic beverages, cheese, chocolate, nuts, wheat, citrus fruits, tomatoes, MSG, nitrates, eggs, and milk
Eczema Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and eggs
Hay Fever Milk, wheat, nuts, chocolate, cola drinks, and sulfites
Hives Strawberries, tomatoes, eggs, chocolate, shellfish, mangoes, pork, and nuts
Childhood Allergies Milk, wheat, eggs, artificial coloring/flavors, salicylates, peanuts, rye, beef, and fish
Asthma Wheat and eggs
Cerebral Symptoms Corn, wheat, and soybeans


Conventional medical treatment for allergies

Other factors that may lead to allergies What to eat to eliminate some allergies Nutritional help for allergies Homeopathic treatment for allergies

The following nutrients have been formulated into Response a comprehensive formulation of nutrients designed to mitigate the impact of allergies.

Quercitin:
Rich in bioflavonoids. Reduces allergic reactions.

Green Tea Extract (Theasinensis):
Green tea is rich in phytonutrients that help to ward off everyday cellular attacks. In Chinese medicine it is used to facilitate digestion and enhance mental function. Selenium (Amino Acid Chelate):
Selenium protects cell membranes and stimulates immune function. Bromelain:
Inhibits pro-inflammatory compounds. Assists in digestion of vegetable protein. Helps promote circulation and post-traumatic reabsorption of inflammatory by-products.

Papain:
Contains papain an enzyme effective in breaking down protein and dead tissue.

Licorice Root (4 to 1 extract):
Studied for its antiallergic, antiarthritic properties. In Chinese medicine said to replenish vital energy, moisten the lungs, and strengthen digestion. Used to support inflammation of the skin.

Copper (Amino Acid Chelate):
Crucial to the formation of helper T-cells. An essential component of Super Oxide Dismutase, an antioxidant that fights free radial damage to the mitochondria, the energy producing portion of the cell.

Molybdenum (Amino Acid Chelate):
Enhances the use of sulfur amino acids by the body. Enhances the cells utilization of vitamin C; detoxifies sulfites and aldehydes.

Magnesium (Citrate):
Considered the anti-stress mineral. Buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Required in many of the body's detoxification pathways. May reduce the broncho-constrictor in asthma by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes.

Calcium (Citrate):
Helps to regulate the body's acid/alkaline balance in tissues. Buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Reduces histamine production.

Vitamin B15:
Helps lessen muscle fatigue and increase endurance.

Vitamin C (Ascorbate):
Shown to decrease production of histamine, reducing immediate allergy potential. Helps to relieve allergic symptoms and prevent inflammatory reactions. Provides an anti-histamine-like effect. Assists in production of adrenal hormones needed to combat the stress imposed by allergic reactions.

References
Milam, Larry J., D.I.HOM, Allergies: How to Avoid Them, 2000.
Ullman, Dana, Discovering Homeopathy, North Atlantic Books, 1988, 1991.
Materia Medica, B. Jain Publishers, Pahargani, New Deli, 1992.
Hass, MD, Dr. Elson M., Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Celestial Arts Pub., 1992.