DO YOU SUFFER FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES?
Have you recently gone for a walk, specifically for your health, but came back feeling physically worse than before you left? If so, you may have experienced ill effects from environmental allergens, so common at this time of the year.
WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?
An allergy is an adverse immune system reaction to a substance that does not bother most other people. Allergies can appear in many forms, from mild to severe, including fatigue, headaches, sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy sinuses, following exposure to any of a variety of allergens. Some allergic responses are so common to allergy sufferers that they consider them a normal part of living.
WHAT ARE COMMON SOURCES OF ALLERGIES?
The main sources of environmental allergies are pollens of various plants, such as trees, weeds and grass. House dust, mites, molds and tobacco smoke are other sources. Less common, but just as serious, are products used in the home, including cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning products, fabrics and gas used for cooking and heating.
WHAT CAUSES ALLERGIES?
A primary cause of allergies is an impaired immune system, which substantially increases the risk of allergic reactions. This can occur when the immune system, which may already be weakened by hereditary problems, becomes stressed, due to an overload of toxins.
Besides directly causing allergic reactions, drugs can also confuse the immune system. When this happens, it can no longer tell friend from foe. It starts reacting to all sorts of things which are not foes. These substances then become treated as allergens. This very often leads to fatigue, allowing viruses, bacteria and fungi to invade and cause damage.
Due to environmental toxins, the prevalence of pesticides and preservatives in food, and the over-use of medications, our normal intestinal flora can be damaged. This sets the stage for colonization of opportunistic parasites and yeast overgrowth (candidiasis).
The boundary between the intestinal tract and the bloodstream can also be damaged (leaky gut syndrome), allowing many allergenic substances to enter the bloodstream. In turn, an allergic reaction is triggered by the immune system.
NUTRITION IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT
If the body is continually being stressed by the foods that are supposed to nourish it, lowered reserves of nutrients remain for the immune system to deal with other "foreign" substances. We must remember that the digestive system is linked to all allergies, not only those caused by food.
Proper digestion enables the body to clear out toxins. With impaired digestion, more toxins have to be dealt with. Eventually, the body, including the adrenal glands, becomes overwhelmed. This can easily lead to allergies, so it makes sense to start with the digestive system in order to prevent allergies.
HOW CAN THEY BE OVERCOME?
In order to truly overcome allergies, it is necessary to address their cause rather than dealing only with the outer symptoms. This involves identifying the allergens and eliminating exposure to them. The body also needs to be purged of toxins, while the immune system is stimulated and strengthened.
Imbalances of intestinal flora are common among allergy sufferers. To normalize this situation, we need to restore the balance with a daily program of probiotics, friendly bacteria that inhabit the intestines under healthy situations.
Homeopathy can be particularly helpful. Often, minutely diluted doses of the allergen can be prepared as a homeopathic solution that triggers the body's natural ability to heal itself. For instance, if someone is allergic to ragweed pollen, a homeopathically diluted solution of it, taken, sublingually, often neutralizes the person's reaction to it.
Hay fever sufferers have been shown to reduce or even prevent their allergic reactions by beginning a course of homeopathic pollen supplements a few weeks before the pollen count rises.
Gemmotherapy is also valuable for allergies. This refers to natural remedies made from the buds and young shoots of plants that are designed to support new growth. They are considered regenerative and are very effective for a wide range of problems.
No two people are alike, so therapeutic approaches need to vary, according to individual needs. Usually, a combination of therapies, such as whole food based nutritional supplements, homeopathic cleanses and/or appropriate gemmotherapy remedies constitute the best course of action.
Your Personal Invitation: Come and meet Dr. Gail at the Melville Spring Trade Show located at the Merv Moore Sportsplex on Friday, March 23, 4 - 9 p.m., Sat. March 24, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 25, Noon to 4 p.m. Iridology will be offered as a Show Special!
Dr. Gail will also be doing Iridology at the Yorkton Spring Expo, April 13 to 15.
Dr. Gail Smolinski, Doctor of Natural Medicine, has her Doctor of Naturopathy degree and is Board Certified in Traditional Naturopathy and in Nutritional Wellness.
She is a Certified Low Intensity Laser Therapist, Master Herbalist, Registered Nutritional Consultant, Professional Homeopath and Holistic Iridologist.
Dr. Gail offers Low Intensity Laser Therapy, health consultations, bio-energetic therapies, detoxification footbaths and a wide variety of professional health products at her natural health clinic. You may contact her at 306-783-1261 on weekdays from 9 to 5 or visit her website at www.drgail.ca
This column is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. It provides general information about health and nutrition. It is run bi-weekly, space permitting.
