Thought of the Day: Allergy Seaon is Coming

As I hear that it is snowing 30 minutes from my house and raining buckets here, all I can think about is all of the precipitation this season brings such beauty next season. With that beauty comes those dreaded allergies: ragweed, pollen, dust, etc.

I have spent the past six months learning about allergies in depth. In this research I am finding that most of my customers with ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, eczema, dandruff, psoriasis, ear infections, sinusitis, hives, asthma, chronic coughing, acid reflux, indigestion, chronic diarrhea, migraines, headaches and behavorial issues have one thing in common–poor digestive health. This poor digestive health leads to inflammation, causing a myriad of symptoms that are classified as more diseases than I can list here. Let’s add IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, Chrohn’s and leaky gut to the list. I could keep going.

Over 70% of our immune system resides in the digestive tract. So why are doctors increasingly prescribing antibiotics (which translates to “against life”) for most of the conditions I have listed thus far killing the good microorganisms in our digestive tracks? Why do we keep taking these antibiotics when the conditions keep coming back? Why do we not ask for alternative solutions other than surgery or other drastic measures? We can’t expect change in the medical community if we don’t demand it! If we are not satisfied with the treatment from our doctors, then find one that you get the service you want! We don’t go back to a restaurant that we constantly get food poisoning, but we go back to practitioners who constanly poison and not cure us. What sense does that make?

DID YOU KNOW…

• There is a difference in a food allergy, sensitivity and intolerance?
• IgE mediated allergies, those that can be found via blood or skin scratch tests, can test a false positive result 50% of the time and a high number of false negatives?
• RAST and skin tests only test for IgE mediated allergies and not food intolerances or sensitivities that can also cause negative health results?
• Children with behavior, sensory and focus issues can experience 30-95% managability of their symptoms if they follow an elimination/challenge diet?
• An elimination diet will help you locate more allergies, sensitivities and intolerances than blood or skin allergy tests?

Over the next week or so I want to expound on allergies and their tie to the digestive system and immunity. I have had tremendous personal success with many alternative treatment methods after years of steroid shots every allergy season. No more bronchilators for me! If this information helps just one person, it will be worth my posting.

Underground Wellness is the TRUTH!

This brother, Sean, has a great YouTube channel and internet radio show. This should be a channel that you subscribe to! He posts regularly and has excellent topics. Check him out!

Link to Underground Wellness YouTube channel

This is a great synopsis on genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), which is a major cause of health issues, according to natural health advocates. The food industry and FDA says they are safe, but there are no studies on the long term effects of GMO’s. How can you say they are safe if you have never tested them? Hmmmm…

Magnesium May Help PMS

Magnesium and PMS Study

A study published in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal in August of 1991 shows that women may receive relief from PMS symptoms when taking oral magnesium. Study participants took 360mg of magnesium three times a day from day 15 of their cycle to the onset of menstrual flow. The women in the study experienced a reduction in mood changes and pain/cramping.

Magnesium levels are low in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Between 30-40% of women in US suffer decreased daily activity during PMS.  Almost 70% have PMS symptoms. Considering that most Americans are highly deficient in magnesium (estimated 75-85%) due to consumption of processed foods that contain little magnesium and intake reduction of foods high in magnesium, such as leafy greens (i.e., Swiss chard, kale, beet greens, dandelion greens, mustards, collards, kressy), tofu, whole unpolished grains, raw almonds and raw cashews.

In working in the natural product industry, I have seen a number of people, including myself, use magnesium in the form of a liquid to ease premenstrual cramping. The best-selling magnesium and 2009  Best of Supplement winner by Better Nutrition Magazine is Peter Gilham’s Natural Vitality Natural Calm. This is a powdered magnesium citrate which you can take 1-3 teaspoons in hot water subdue cramping. This works for most women in less than 15 minutes and does not have the side effects of over the counter pain relievers. If you are going to use this product, start with one (1) rounded teaspoon. Wait 30 minutes to see if you feel the effects before taking another. Consumption of too much magnesium can cause loose stools.

Click on the link to learn more about magnesium, signs of a deficiency, and Natural Calm. Peter Gillham\’s Natural Vitality Natural Calm Link

Naturopathic Physician Directory

Have you wondered about the natural health practitioners in your area? Locate alternative or complementary practitioners in your area. Be sure to research their background and education as some states have no regulation of licensing. Be aware that they are not covered by health insurance in most states.

NATUROPATHIC YELLOW PAGES

Getting Rid of Them: Bad Habits by Maxwell

I have lost way of one of the reasons why I started the blog–to marry two things that mean equally as much in my life: music and natural health. So I am starting the year off right with a “harmonious healing” from my lover from afar, Maxwell. Enjoy!

Phthalates Linked to ADHD

A recent study demonstartes a link between phtahlates in some shampoos, lotions, air fresheners and children’s toys to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Once you read this brief article, you should look up the actual study on www.pubmed.gov to review their testing methods and outcomes.

Link to article on phthalates linked to ADHD

Perfect Example of Lack of Minority Representation in Natural Products Market: Valana Minerals

I came across the article researching something else. It just so happens that I did a seminar on Friday for the Charlotte Natural Hair Meetup Group titled “What’s In Your Hair and Body Care?” I have talked about this subject quite a bit here.

Natural cosmetics scarce for women of colour (The Star, 2.27.09)

As someone who has worked in the natural products industry for almost 15 years, I have often attended GNC franchise shows, Expo East, Arnold Classic and The Olympia to be one of only a handful of minority women. I go to the product trade floor to see very few point of purchase materials and products geared towards me.

Did they forget that the woman makes 90% of the health decision in her family’s home? The bathing and workout suits are not accommodating of a Black woman’s physique. The tanning lotions available are…well, you know! None of the makeup comes close to matching my pecan tan complexion with yellow undertones. And please don’t get me started on the hair and skin products. My ashy Larry skin needs more than watered down shea butter in a lotion. As a Black woman, I have quite a bit of purchasing influence, but it is disregarded.

Valerie Reed felt the same way when she started Valana Minerals, a mineral makeup company with hues geared towards minority women. At last, I have something to look for on the trade floor at Expo West this year!

Take a look at the article and then review the line. You can order samples of the products to match colors and test allergy response. This is exciting! Sounds like a pamper night is in my near future.

Valana Minerals Website

Sugar Isn’t So Sweet

http://www.examiner.com/x-7660-Charlotte-Holistic-Health-Examiner~y2009m12d10-Sugar–You-can-lick-the-habit

Check out part one of this excellent article on the effrcts of sugar on the body by a colleague of mine. This is awesome information.

Food Inc., the Movie, on NetFlix for Instant Play

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-12-08-school-lunch-standards_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Several months ago Food Inc. was playing in a theatre in my local area. My company gave us a $25 gift card if we brought back our ticket stub for the movie. Unfortunatetly, I had seen the movie a few months before and didn’t have my stub, but the reminder of my viewing allowed me to think about some of the stuff I learned.

This movie is made for shock value, to an extent, but as an agriculture school graduate I can tell you that much is not far from the truth. I suggest that all parents of teenagers that can’t get their children to eat properly show them this movie. Not to shock them, but to be that lecturer that evokes thought instead of you becoming the nagging parent. Do you have a love one that just thinks their eating habits are not killing them? Show them this movie.

And if you can’t get them to see the potential error of their ways, don’t fret. All you can do is present the information.

If you don’t have a NetFlix account, go to www.hulu.com and take a look at the movie, The Future of Food. I posted a clip in an earlier post. The first 10 minutes will make you buy only organic on your next grocery shopping trip. It’s not as shocking and in your face as Food Inc.

What are Schools Feeding Children?

In case you didn’t see today’s USA Today, an interesting article revealed meat standards for school lunch meat that is below the standards of some of the most popular fast food. Read the link for more details.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-12-08-school-lunch-standards_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip