allergies Tag

The Price We Pay for Eating Unhealthy

There has been much discussion of late about the high cost of eating healthy. We see articles that recommend purchasing only the “dirty dozen” organic foods: peaches, strawberries, nectarines, apples, spinach, celery, pears, sweet bell peppers, cherries, potatoes, lettuce, and imported grapes. Others suggest growing your own organic produce. Eating less meat and more rice and beans has always been sage advice to save money. Some call for simply eating less. Whatever the call to action, we have yet to see someone explore the real cost of eating unhealthy. So we decided to look at some of the costs of...

Allergies and Food Introduction

Digestion and the immune system: How delaying food introduction can prevent allergies + eczema in your child Allergies are the 3rd most common chronic disease among children, and eczema is present in over 10% of kids. This epidemic of atopy, a person’s predisposition to developing allergic symptoms has caused health care practitioners to look beneath the skin for solutions for our children. Starting in infancy, parents can prevent the development of allergies and eczema in their child. Pregnancy During pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, mom’s should avoid foods that are highly allergenic (eggs, peanuts, cow’s milk), and any other foods...

Asthma, Allergies and Th-2 Dominance

Asthma and allergies are caused by dysregulation and hyperactivity of the immune system. The part of the immune system that becomes overactive is a subset of T cells known as thymus helper 2 lymphocytes, or Th-2 cells. What are T cells? T cells are a type of white blood cell that carry out the functions of the immune system. T helper 1 cells identify pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi) and stimulate the activity of macrophages, another type of white blood cell, to digest the pathogenic material and cellular debris. In this way, Th-1 cells, when functioning optimally, help us from contracting infections and getting...

How to Deal With Seasonal Allergies

The prevalence of those who experience allergies has increased to the degree that many people believe it is “normal” for one’s body to respond in such a way to environmental stimuli. The CBC has reported that one in six Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, are so common they are simply accepted. But allergies are not acceptable because they implicate a weakness in the body to adapt, respond and defend against outside stresses. The body’s inability to handle outside stresses appropriately and, therefore, produce an allergic reaction arises when one’s immune system is compromised (decrease in resilience), or...

Food Sensitivities, Intolerances and Allergies

Gluten Sensitivity Enteropathy is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that refers to a group of different types of gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other foods derived from these grains. The most extreme subgroup is celiac disease, a genetic autoimmune condition. One percent of Americans are estimated to have celiac disease. When individuals with celiac disease consume gluten, their bodies have an immune response that results in damage to the intestinal villi. Some individuals who experience distress when eating gluten-containing products and show improvement after following a gluten-free diet may have gluten intolerance, instead of...

Are Allergies Forever?

Most of the clients who come to see me are amazed when I tell them that I believe anyone can overcome their allergies. The biggest mistake you can make which will keep you suffering from allergies is to assume that you have to live with uncomfortable symptoms forever. Most people are told that “allergies run in the family,” or that they “just have to live with it”. But what we aren’t told is that given the right circumstances and environment, the body can re-establish homeostasis, therefore alleviating all suffering indefinitely! People who assume or accept the belief that they must suffer...