Martha H. Howard, MD

Children are susceptible to illnesses caused by air pollution and exposure to toxic chemicals and other pollutants – asthma, cancer, autism and ADD are among the most serious – and costly. And children with existing allergies to common airborne allergens like tree pollens, grass, dust and molds, and foods are even more vulnerable to chemical pollutants than other children. Not only do toxic chemicals in air, water and food act as poisons in themselves, they also increase allergic response to common allergens.

What positive, preventative steps can you take?

•  Good indoor air filtration (with charcoal and zeolite in the filters, not just HEPA filters) can help limit exposure to airborne pollutants.
• Drink filtered water.
• Give children fresh, mostly organic unprocessed foods. This doesn’t have to be complicated. A turkey sandwich with whole grain bread, Applegate Farms or Hormel natural turkey (no additives, MSG, nitrites or nitrates–both big causes of cancer), and an organic apple are a great lunch, rather than packaged “cracker and cheese” or many of the items that are currently offered in school lunches.
• Become active in advocating for better indoor air quality and better food at your child’s school.
• Become media savvy, and help your children do it too. For younger children, edit out commercials, so that you bypass direct advertising of bad food and other products to kids. For older children, discuss who is selling what and why they are doing it–what the ads mean in terms of bringing in income for the advertisers, rather than bringing good or safe food or other products to the children.
• Stay informed about air and water quality and pollution hazards in your neighborhood and your town.

These precautions can help keep you and your child safer and healthier, and prevent further increases in pollution-related illnesses

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Martha H. Howard, MD

Treating children exposed to air pollution, toxic chemicals and other pollutants costs $76.6 billion dollars a year. According to a study sponsored by Kresge Foundation, done at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and reported in the May 2011 issue of the journal Health Affairs, cancer, asthma, autism, ADD and exposure to mercury are some of the pollution-related diseases that cost the most. And that does not even measure the physical, mental and emotional costs to the children themselves and their families. The study’s cost estimates included lost productivity of parents taking care of sick children, as well as the treatments.

What does this mean to allergic children and their parents? Children with existing allergies to common airborne allergens like tree pollens, grass, dust and molds, and foods are even more vulnerable to chemical pollutants than other children. Toxic chemicals in air, water and food act as poisons in themselves, and in addition increase allergic response to common allergens.

What to do?

Avoid exposure to indoor chemical pollutants:

• Formaldehyde in new clothes, carpet, wallboard and furniture made of particle board or with particle board backing
• Lead paint and other toxic paints. Children’s rooms should be painted only with non-toxic no-VOC paints. Even latex paints can emit toxic fumes over a long period of time, worsening allergies and asthma.
• Painted metal toys and children’s jewelry–many of these have lead based paints
• Mercury in any form–especially as a preservative in vaccinations, or in dental materials
• Permanent markers
• Food dyes, additives, and artificial sugars. The so-called “generally recognized as safe” food dyes are made of coal tar.
  MSG and aspartame are neurotoxins (see Russell Blaylock MD’s comprehensive book, Exitotoxins: The Taste that Kills.)
• Plastics that contain BPA
• Fire retardant chemicals in pajamas and bedding
• Sunscreens with “gender bending” chemicals like homosalate, octylmethoxycinnamate, octocrylene, oxybenzone. Use California Baby hypoallergenic sunscreen, Desert Essence sunscreen, or Aubrey Organic Sunscreen on all children (and on adults too!)
• Shampoos and lotions that are full of chemicals. Desert Essence makes a good line of shampoos, conditioners and lotions that are chemical free.

This is by no means a complete list but it is a good start.

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Martha H. Howard, MD

I have been looking at labels for years, on everything under the sun, including sunscreens.

It never made sense to me that you should apply chemicals to your skin and then bake it at high temperatures. Now, Margaret Schlumpf and her research group at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Zurich, Switzerland, have confirmed my common sense concerns. They have found that these chemicals have strong estrogenic activity. Chemical estrogens are “gender benders” and can contribute to these health problems:

Women: Increased breast and uterine cancer, uterine fibroid tumors, endometriosis, PMS, irregular periods and migraines.

Men: Reduced penis size, increased testicular cancer, undescended testicles, breast enlargement, lowered sperm counts, sexual identity confusion, and impaired male fetal brain patterning.

In addition to the research at University of Zurich, research was done at Tulane University in New Orleans. They found that combinations of the estrogenic sunscreen chemicals and other environmental chemicals, like PCB’s and DDT are more harmful that the single chemicals. One mixture of these estrogenic chemicals was 160 to 1600 times more toxic than each individual chemical in the mixture.

Estrogenic chemicals are harmful to adults, and even more harmful in early fetal development. Male hormones trigger genes that activate male development. If female hormones are present, the fetus has female imprinting, whether their genes are male (XY) or female (XX). If a woman pregnant with a male child is exposed to estrogenic chemicals during the time when genes normally cause masculine patterns (weeks 7 to 14 of pregnancy) there may be mental or physical effects such as sex role confusion or reduced penis size.

How to prevent these scary gender twisting effects? Get organic, chemical free sunscreens. My favorites are Desert Essence Organics Age Reversal Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30; MyChelle Sun Shield, and California Baby SPF 30+ No Fragrance Sunscreen. Be sure to use these on yourself (especially if you are pregnant), and your children and have a happy, healthy, sunny summer.

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Dr. Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH

Itching, Red or Dry Skin Could Be a Symptom Of Eczema

What is eczema?
According to Princeton University, eczema is a generic term used to describe inflammatory conditions of the skin. It is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction which is similar to an allergy, and can lead to long term inflammation of the skin.

This inflammation, which can come from a variety of different irritants, often causes the skin to become very itchy, red and sometimes flaky. When eczema is present for long periods of time, the skin can thicken and darken due to the continued scratching that goes along with the condition. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease states that the prevalence of atopic eczema is increasing and currently affects up to 30% of the U.S. population. It is particularly common in young children and infants. Many children outgrow the symptoms before they are 5 years old. Approximately half of the children with eczema, however, continue to experience the symptoms and some even develop other conditions such as hay fever, allergies or asthma.

Do you experience any of these eczema symptoms?
No matter which part of the skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. The itching often starts before any rash or redness appears. When the rash begins, it most commonly occurs on the face, behind the knees, at the elbow crease or on the hands or feet. It may, however, affect other areas as well.

Since many people with eczema often also suffer from allergies, doctors may perform allergy tests to determine which irritants or triggers might increase the symptoms. Children with eczema are especially likely to be tested for allergies. Because eczema is often caused by allergic factors, it is important to know which allergic factors may be to blame for an outbreak.

What Substances Can Contribute to the Symptoms of Eczema?
Many people who suffer from eczema find that their symptoms increase in direct response to eating certain foods. Some of the foods that are commonly found to increase the symptoms of eczema are:
• Soy products
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Seafood
• Fruit (mostly citrus fruits and strawberries)
• Nuts
• Wheat products
• Salicylates
• Edible chemical additives, including preservatives and food colorings

Environmental triggers can also increase the symptoms of eczema. Some of the most common of these environmental triggers are:
• Dust/Dust Mites
• Pollens and Grasses
• Pet Dander
• Molds/Mildew
• Personal care products (soaps, shampoos, fragrances, etc.)
• Chemicals

Can eczema be seasonal or weather related?
Eczema has been linked to the climate. We all know that cold weather is especially notorious for its negative effects on skin. Even extreme heat may be to blame for some forms of eczema.

Why do so many people with skin problems also have allergies or asthma symptoms?
Eczema and allergies are closely related. Hay fever, asthma, and allergies are all present on the same gene. Many of the things that trigger an allergic reaction can also cause eczema, contributing to the irritating symptoms associated with the condition.

What can I do?
There are natural treatments available that can help to relieve or significantly reduce the symptoms associated with eczema, including “winter eczema” or dry skin due to the cold.
Find a local natural health practitioner who specializes in the treatment of allergy and sensitivity symptoms. There are natural health clinics, such as ours, which can help to relieve a variety of skin symptoms, many of which are commonly associated with eczema. For example, the approach we use at our clinic is a safe, effective, and affordable treatment for the relief of allergy or sensitivity symptoms without the use of needles, shots, medications, supplements, or avoidance. It is completely pain free and available to all ages, including infants. For more information, or for a referral to someone in your area who also specializes in natural treatments of the many symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities, go to www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com.

Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in the treatment of children and adults with symptoms associated with allergies and hypersensitivities. He is the Founder and Director of the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers. 

• Princeton Health Services, Skin Care
• National Institutes of Health Medline Plus 
• Hyde, P., All About Eczema
• Table of Fruits and Eczema
• Levy, J., Environmental Triggers for Eczema Have Been Identified 
• Climate Seems to Influence Rates of Eczema and Asthma 

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Everyone knows about the type of food allergy that causes an immediate reaction. The response can range from hives, to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. This type of allergy has received the most attention in standard medical practice here in the United States. It is known as a Type I, IgE-mediated response. A child who wheezes or gets hives immediately, or within 20 to 30 minutes after eating a food such as peanuts or strawberries has a Type I reaction.

However, there is another type of food allergy response that is delayed. It has brought about a huge gap between public and practitioner awareness of these syndromes. Unfortunately, here in the U.S. you may be more likely to hear about the wide range of symptoms caused by gluten in the book Gluten Free for Dummies than you are in the offices of many allergists and internists. In all too many medical practices, these reactions are often called “food sensitivity” or “food intolerance” or even “not real allergies,” and may be misdiagnosed, overlooked or dismissed. This has led to misunderstanding between medical practitioners and people who are seeking help for themselves and their children.

The fact is that these delayed type responses are actually identified in medical textbooks as a true allergic response. Most of the delayed-type food allergies fall into the category of Type III response. This means that an antibody called IgG, (or less often IgA or IgM) attacks the food. In a delayed response, the combination of the antibody and the food is a highly inflammatory particle (an antigen-antibody complex) that circulates in the body and causes many different problems. These particles can even cross the blood-brain barrier and cause mood and behavior problems. A child with a delayed Type III response may have ear pain, look flushed, have chronic nasal congestion, and a history of ear infections and tonsillitis. Or, a child might be very tired, have flu-like symptoms, swelling in lymph glands, and appear depressed. Or a child might have attacks of tantrums, hyperactivity and stomach pain. In some children, bedwetting may be the only symptom. In others, it may be only ADD, or childhood migraines.

Two of the most extreme examples of delayed-type allergic response may be autism and schizophrenia. There is a correlation between delayed response to wheat and dairy proteins and these two diseases. The main “problem protein” in wheat is gluten, and in dairy is casein. Both of these proteins, in people who are susceptible, are attacked by the body’s immune system, and the delayed-type allergy response is set off, with disastrous consequences for the health of the brain. Here is a paragraph from a June 2002 article in Original Internist by Meera V. Jathar, MD and V.S. Jathar, PhD:

“Cade, et.al, in their recent article “Autism and Schizophrenia: Intestinal Distorders,” [in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience,2000, 3:57-72] reported [that] a gluten-casein free diet was accompanied by improvement in 81% of autistic children within three months in most of the behavior categories. High-titer IgG antibodies to gliadin were found in 87% of autistic and 86% of schizophrenic patients, and high titer of IgG antibodies to bovine casein were found in 90% of autistic and 93% of schizophrenic patients.”

Delayed-type allergy is also associated with many symptoms that are less extreme than autism and schizophrenia, yet are still very serious. Symptoms can vary widely. Here is a partial list: ADD/ADHD, depression, chronic headaches, migraine headache, chronic sinusitis, chronic indigestion or reflux, “irritable bowel syndrome”-abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation–canker sores, cold sores, asthma, bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis, recurrent ear or throat infection, swollen lymph glands, fatigue, failure to thrive, joint pain, restless leg syndrome, and bedwetting.

Both immediate and delayed type food allergies are becoming more and more common in children. No one is sure about the cause, but there is more and more evidence that food processing and handling may be a significant part of the problem. It is possible that the use of processing chemicals, additives, and dyes makes the foods more allergenic.

In the study of allergy and immunology, added items that make a food more likely to cause an allergic response are called “haptens.” My own current theory is that molds, antibiotics, pesticides, chemical additives and dyes may function as “haptens” for much of the food that is currently sold and consumed here in the United States, making it more allergenic.

For example, peanuts commonly have a type of toxic mold called aflatoxin mold, which is thought to increase their allergy potential, especially for children who are already allergic to molds. Non-organic dairy can contain residues of antibiotics fed to the cows-another allergy enhancer. Wheat is often sprayed with a chemical to retard growth of fungus, probably making it more allergenic. The commercial sugar refining process also uses chemicals. Many chemicals and allergens are hidden within prepared foods. Unfortunately, when a child’s system has begun to react violently to the food, there is generally “no going back.” For example, if a child has begun to react to peanuts, even if uncontaminated, organic peanuts, free from sugar, added hydrogenated oils and molds, were given to the child, there would still be a reaction, because the immune system has “learned” to respond allergically. That said, it is still important to feed children organic and unprocessed food as much as possible to prevent the onset of new allergies.

The most common allergenic foods are wheat, rye, barley (gluten containing grains), oats, soy, yeast, dairy, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, citrus, chocolate, tomatoes and strawberries, and increasingly-cane sugar. The most common allergenic additives are aspartame, MSG, sulfites, and food dyes.

If you suspect that your child has delayed type reactions to foods, it is important to seek out a practitioner who has education and experience regarding this type of allergy and its symptoms. Remember that skin tests only show one type of response-the immediate, Type I allergy. Any allergist who says that the skin (“scratch”) tests are the final word on food allergy, and who insists that if these tests are negative the child is not allergic to foods, is obviously not well informed on this problem. Any allergist who dismisses delayed type allergies as “not real allergies” is disregarding what it says in his or her own medical textbooks about the four types of allergic response. It is important to find allergists and internists who have the clinical experience to help you with this problem. In addition, it’s important to read a lot, discuss things with other parents of allergic children, and to develop your own knowledge and expertise.

One of the best types of testing for delayed-type allergies is ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay) testing. A good, reliable lab for this is Meridian Valley Lab in Kent, Washington. They can also help you find a practitioner in your area who uses ELISA testing. ELISA testing uses a tiny wand with a food sample on in, immerses it in a small sample of the patient’s blood, and counts the number of “hits” of IgG 4 antibody on the wand. Another form of testing is computer based, and uses responses read at acupuncture points to determine reactivity for foods. This form of testing is regarded as scientific in Germany, and is widely used by MD’s.

In the United States at the present time, the science behind this type of testing is not acknowledged. You may even find it mentioned on some web sites as a “worthless” or “quack” method. At best it must be currently classified as non medical and non diagnostic, no matter how much clinical evidence exists regarding its accuracy. Results of the testing are based on responses read at acupuncture points. However, the science behind the electronics of the body system upon which acupuncture is based has not yet been acknowledged. The preliminary scientific studies that best explain the electrical system of the body, were done by an MD, Robert O. Becker in the mid 1970′s. He was given an NIH grant to find out whether there was any scientific basis for acupuncture. When he found out that there was a scientific basis-a network of DC current that could be measured, at the exact locations of the traditionally identified acupuncture channels, he lost the last half of his grant money. In addition, his scientific results were buried in the 1976 journal of electrical engineering, because the medical journals at the time refused to publish his work. In my view, he is the Galileo of the “electric anatomy” of the body-a DC current network that the electrical testing taps to determine the body’s response to various foods and substances.

A good clinical example from our center, Wellness Associates of Chicago, is the case of a seven year old girl who came last year. She had been in “medical hell” for five years. It all began when she started to eat mainly solid foods, along with quite a lot of dairy, at the age of two. Her mother said she was at the doctor’s office two to four times a month for the whole five years, and sick all the time. When I first saw her, she had open sores all over her body from eczema, gum disease, recurrent ear infections, recurrent strep, and ADD. None of the practitioners who saw her suspected that the cause of her problems might be food allergies. She was given various prescriptions to address her symptoms. According to our testing, she was reactive to wheat, gluten, buckwheat, dairy, chocolate, peanut, shrimp, corn, rice, oat, egg, soy, honey, maple sugar, cane sugar, baker’s yeast, red potato; food dyes, MSG, aspartame, sulfites; weeds, grass, trees, mold, dust, cat and dog hair. She was taken off all the offending foods, dust allergy precautions were done in her home, and her parents purchased air filters. When I saw her about a month later for follow-up, she was about 80% better, not having infections, her skin was healing, and she was able to pay better attention.

After that the family didn’t return, and I wondered what had happened. A year later I heard from her mother who wanted to come in for testing too. They had carefully followed the diet for the little girl, and her mother said that she had been in perfect health all year. She had only seen the doctor once that year, when she hurt her hand on the playground. Her mother also said that they went to a large family reunion, and many of her relatives didn’t recognize her because she looked so different. The bottom line here is that if the testing had not been accurate, avoiding all the reactive items would not have relieved all her symptoms.

Of course, not all results are quite that spectacular, but we have seen hundreds of adults and children make significant improvements in their health over the last five years. The results of the computer testing have, in a number of cases, compared accurately with ELISA testing. Generally if both parents and child are willing to find a diet that is free from the tested allergens, there is at least a 75 to 80 percent improvement. If you suspect that your child has food allergies, it might be advisable to get some testing done that can reveal delayed as well as immediate type allergies, and serve as a guide to positive changes in your child’s health.

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Symptoms of bloating, indigestion, and constipation seem to be the norm these days. Studies show that Irritable bowel syndrome effects upwards of 20% of the population. My experience is that those are only the people who are experiencing symptoms that are severe enough to have them looked at by their primary physician. In my practice better than 85% of patients complain of some gastrointestinal dysfunction. To many people it is “the normal bloating and gas”; something they learn to live with. For years patients with these types of symptoms were recommended fiber products, digestive aids, and probiotics.

Many patients’ symptoms resolved or greatly improved with this approach. Still some patients became constipated due to the harsh nature of fiber products, and other times symptoms of bloating and gas worsened. Probiotic products seem to have a difficult time crossing the stomach into the intestines, and recent research has actually demonstrated that dead probiotic organisms benefit the intestines as much as live bacteria do. It is difficult to find research studies that show a person taking a probiotic orally that makes its way through the stomach and small intestine only to find a home in the large intestine. In my studies I learned about a novel bacterium called bacillus subtillus. This probiotic soil organism starts out in spore form so it passes into the large intestine unharmed by the strong acidic environment of the stomach. Once in the large intestine this bacterium matures into a bacterium and eats yeast and pathogenic bacteria for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The challenge has been to keep this bug happy so it will continue to clean your intestinal tract. Working with a pharmaceutical company that specializes in fermentation we were able to realize 2 things.

This bug needs a protein environment to really be its most potent, and it loves a particular type of fiber and it will stay active longer when this fiber is present. Additionally we had been doing some work with a green superfood called chlorella. In April of 2008 we sponsored a research trial with Jade Chlorella and among other findings we found it to be very effective in patients with irritable bowel symptoms. Chlorella is high in protein so it fit as a good match with the bacillus. We married these ingredients and called it Living Fiber. It is a complete gut ecology system. Chlorella restores the normal muscle contractions of the bowel and actually retrains the intestines to function as they are supposed to. Other fiber products force the intestines to do what they are not doing on their own, and they stop working the minute you stop taking them. Chlorella is soothing to the intestinal tract and the high chlorophyll content heals and regenerates an irritated intestinal tract. Combined with the soil organism that rids the digestive tract of unfriendly organisms and you have a unique product that supports all aspects of digestive function.

To date the feedback from patients has been remarkable. Many of our chronically ill patients are making huge strides in restoring their health with the addition of this new product. Healthy patients are using Living Fiber as a detoxification program to help maintain their high level of health. A new research trial will begin this year using Living Fiber in patients with irritable bowel complaints. Living Fiber is available through health practitioners and selected health food stores. For more information go to www.LivingFiber.net.

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With 15 percent of couples experiencing fertility challenges today, and with people experiencing more and more allergies than ever before, I am often asked if their allergies could be the cause of their fertility challenges. Although there is no direct relationship between common allergies and infertility, there is a great deal of empirical data indicating an indirect relationship.

Allergies and sensitivities result from a compromised immune system. They are nothing more than an error message in the body. During an allergic reaction, the body over reacts to a normally harmless substance. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, allergies develop when the body’s defenses are lowered or weakened, usually during physical or emotional stress, or during an illness. When the body is not functioning properly, it looks for what is causing its problem and associates that with some substance, food or stimuli. However, there are men and women whose allergies directly affect their fertility. Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is known to affect fertility and five percent of the population experiences a sperm allergy.

Although most people do not have to worry about such a direct connection between allergies and infertility, there is an indirect connection that affects many couples experiencing fertility challenges. Allergies and hypersensitivities result from a compromised immune system. Then the body’s allergic reaction further compromises the immune system. A compromised immune system is a primary cause of fertility difficulties.

So, what can you do to boost your immune system? Here are seven recommendations we make to our patients:

(1) – Drink half your weight in ounces of water a day. Water balances every organ and system in your body. It is the ideal lubricant for your immune system. And while you are at it, learn to love lemons. Lemon juice added to water restores the acid-alkali balance of the body and this too helps boost your immune system.


(2) – Stop drinking coffee, eating chocolate (to excess, at least), and downing energy drinks. Contrary to the advertising industry, chocolate isn’t good for you regardless of the antioxidants found in it. Caffeine dehydrates you and robs your body of vitamins and minerals. Caffeine is an immune system disaster.


(3) – Eliminate refined sugar. It lowers immunity, depresses organ function, plays havoc with your energy levels, and scrambles any weight management program you may be inclined to pursue. I recommend agave as a substitute. And stay away from artificial sweeteners—they are worse for you than cane sugar.


(4) – Take a good quality, whole-food based multivitamin with minerals. It is difficult to get all the nutrients we need from our foods.


(5) – Eat only hormone-free meat, fish, eggs and poultry. We naturally produce our own hormones in the quantities our body requires. We do not need to add more hormones than we were built to produce. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.


(6) – Eat more raw vegetables and fruits as they are the best sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and enzymes. The key is color—always include a variety of colors when you eat your fruits and veggies.


(7) – Nourish your soul and nurture yourself. The more you take care of your mind and spirit, the healthier your body will become. Taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage, and finding a good acupuncturist are wonderful ways to nurture yourself and in the process boost your immune system. However, there is another important process at work in all human beings. You grow the seeds you plant in the garden of your soul. If you fill your spiritual garden with the weeds of negativity (such as video games, movies, books or television programs that focus on negative news, crises, murder, and conspiracy), you will harvest more weeds. We become programmed by what we repeatedly watch and hear and immerse ourselves in. Keep the movie you run in your mind positive and watch the positive run in your life.

What about those of us who have already developed allergies and sensitivities? How do we handle our existing physical and emotional problems that seem to keep our immune systems depressed? The good news is that there is a way to eliminate these sensitivities, allergic reactions and compromised immune systems. Natural healthcare, particularly when paired with natural advanced allergy therapeutics, will eliminate the allergic reactions, enhance the immune system and balance the body energetically and hormonally. Once this is accomplished, fertility, pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby can occur. This is not a pipe dream. It is a reality for many couples who have been told that they will never conceive and give birth to a child of their own.

Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in women’s and men’s health and reproductive wellness. He is the Founder and Director of the Natural Fertility Health Centers (www.FertileSpirit.com) and the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers (www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com).

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The kids are back in school, the weather is starting to change and the sun is setting earlier. Summer is just about over and fall is officially setting in.

If you are feeling rushed, overwhelmed or just plain tired, you are not alone. The time between seasons can be “trying” for even the most balanced among us.

In Chinese medicine, fall is the season of new beginnings. We have just left summer, a time of high energy and are moving into autumn, which tends to be a more introspective time. This shift in seasons carries a shift in energy and health.

And in fact, symptoms like colds, sore throats, digestive pain and headaches are often a sign to take time for self-care during a seasonal change.

In holistic medicine, we believe in your body’s natural ability to heal. So healing with the seasons can bring you into harmony with nature…allowing you to feel your best.

How do you move from the excesses of summer into introspective fall, while feeling your best? Detoxification!

Why Detox?

So why do we need to detox?

Detoxification is how your body rids itself of toxins. Toxins are everywhere: in food, the environment, even in products in our own homes!

The 5 most common toxins are:
Pesticides and herbicides in your food supply.
Heavy metals (like mercury, aluminum, arsenic, lead and cadmium) from pollution in the environment.
Chlorine in cleaning supplies, water and in the air near industrial plants.
Phthalates in plastics, like plastic wrap and food storage containers.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in dry cleaning, paints, carpets, deodorants, moth repellants and air fresheners.
Our modern lifestyles are certain to expose us to toxins in one way or another. You can see from the list above, that toxins are in just about everything you come into contact with on a regular basis.

But did you know that your eating habits and stress levels contribute to a buildup of toxins as well?

It’s true. Too much sugar, processed foods, soda pop, not chewing completely and eating on the run all contribute to poor digestion. When you are not digesting, absorbing and eliminating properly, toxins build up in your body.

Is there any good news to this picture? YES!

Your body is always detoxifying on a minute-by-minute and day-to-day basis, so it’s a natural part of how we stay healthy. In essence, your body knows how to help you detoxify!

Your body has five major detoxification pathways:
Skin
Lungs
Liver
Kidneys
Intestines

Unless you get serious about the toxins you are exposed to, your body may not be able to keep up with detoxification. Over time, your detoxification pathways get clogged, making it difficult to get rid of toxins. This has ramifications on your health AND well being.

How You Know It’s Time to Detoxify

If your detoxification pathways are not functioning properly, you may start to feel tired, sluggish and achy.

It’s common to have respiratory and digestive symptoms as well, like coughing, allergies, constipation, gas, bloating or diarrhea.

In addition, if one detoxification pathway is clogged, you may experience symptoms of detox in another. For example, if you are constipated, you may get a rash on your skin. Toxins are always looking for a way out of your body.

Besides physical symptoms, you may feel emotional symptoms like depression, anger, rirritability or feeling overwhelmed. When your body’s detoxification pathways are clogged, it also affects your moods.

Other signs you may need to detox are:
Digestive pain, like food allergies, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
Headaches and migraines.
Respiratory issues like coughing, sneezing, wheezing, post nasal drip, sinusitis, and runny nose.
Skin problems, like acne, rashes, hives, eczema and psoriasis.
Difficult gaining or losing weight

When to Detoxify
First of all, one of the best times to detoxify is at the change of seasons! Most people notice physical and emotional symptoms during seasonal changes and this reminds us of our deep connection to nature.

But don’t wait for the change in seasons. If you are noticing any of these symptoms of toxicity, the time to detox is now!

When we discuss the idea of NATURAL detoxification we are looking at accomplishing 2 things:
Enhancing the function of your primary organs of detoxification (skin, intestines, liver, lungs, kidneys) through the use of lifestyle and dietary modifications and food supplements.


Identifying and treating the stressors to your detoxification systems (e.g., food allergies, infections, nutritional deficiencies, maldigestion, malabsorption, or toxins from environment).

Bringing your detoxification systems back into balance is a process that involves supporting your body AND it’s systems to nourish them back to a healthier state. At PureBalance Health Center, we focus on eliminating some of the habits that created toxic buildup in the first place.

We then work with you to target a plan to create natural health.

How To Reduce Your Exposure to Toxins and Detoxify Now!

How can you protect yourself from toxins? Well, unless you move far away to live “off the grid,” toxins are pretty much a fact of life.

However, you CAN reduce your exposure to toxins with these
4 dietary tips:
Choose organic foods – When you eat organic foods, you avoid all of the chemical pesticides and herbicides that are in conventional foods.
Eliminate processed foods – Eating a diet of whole, natural foods takes the toxic load off of your body. If you would like guidance on foods that will support your best health, including how to deal with digestive pain and food allergies, come in for a diagnostic appointment and we’ll give you a personal roadmap tailored for your needs.
Heal your digestion – Digestive problems are on the rise in America. In fact, a recent survey found that 2/3 of Americans find it harder to maintain digestive health than financial health!

In fact, digestive pain is often one of the leading complaints we see today.

All good detoxification plans will start with a gentle yet effective way of eliminating wastes from the intestines, while changing your diet and supporting digestion to ensure that all food that is eaten is properly digested.

Some good diagnostic testing is recommended in order to identify the root cause of symptoms you are experiencing.

Supplement with high quality chlorella – To support your detoxification and overall digestive health, we recommend Jade Chlorella. Chlorella is a fresh water algae and one of the oldest foods on the planet. It is also one of the gentlest intestinal cleansers available.

Chlorella has the following benefits:
Retrains your intestinal muscle contractions.
Binds to chemical or heavy metal toxins and helps eliminate them from your body.
Brings your small intestine to a more alkaline state.
Rids your body of unwanted organisms and encourages the growth of beneficial organisms.
Boosts your immunity.
Balances your blood sugar levels.
Provides important amino acids.
Fights bacterial and viral infections.
Contains antioxidants that go after free radicals that are known to cause aging and disease.
Contains vitamins and chlorophyll to support your digestive health.

Jade Chlorella is special because it retains the important tough outer shell that helps bind to and remove toxins. AND the shell is also cracked, so you get all the benefits of the nutrients inside the tough outer shell. This is also referred to as “broken-cell wall” chlorella.

Fall into Good Health

Make this fall a new beginning in your digestive health! Our 4 dietary tips are a great start and stay tuned for our next newsletter, which will contain easy lifestyle tips that make detoxification a breeze.

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Let’s start out with the worst case scenario! You got hives on your lip the last time you ate sesame seed crackers. You get a remedy, a good one, with green tea, quercetin, B12 and Vitamin C. The next time you eat something with sesame seeds in it you start getting hives and take the remedy. But your mouth and throat keep swelling, and it’s starting to be hard to breathe. That’s when you a) race to the ER or b) are found dead on the floor, clutching the bottle of your home remedy.

I’m being drastic about this because hives can be the warning signal of a much more severe allergic reaction—anaphylaxis—that can be fatal because your airway is blocked by the swelling from the allergic reaction.

The other cautionary note when it comes to hives is this: the best cure is prevention. Find the allergen that causes the hives and get it out of your life. This can be something as simple and obvious as strawberries, or something as hidden as the potassium perchlorate or the bromine in the hot tub at your health club.

Causes of hives come in many shapes and sizes. It can be something in the air, something you ate, or something that came in contact with your skin. Common food allergens are shellfish, nuts, berries, citrus, dairy, eggs, corn, wheat and gluten. Cold temperatures, sun, and water can also cause hives. Then there are the many perfumes, deodorants, body products and house cleaning products we all use. Hives could be caused by anything from the bromine in your flour or in your hot tub to the fluoride or sorbitol (a corn product) in your toothpaste, to the nickel in your eyelash curler.

What to do? First, don’t accept the “idiopathic” diagnosis for hives. Idiopathic is a word used by doctors when they don’t know the cause of an illness. Dr. Bernie Siegel used to say, “Here’s my definition of idiopathic. Idio- means ‘we don’t know’ and -pathic means ‘what the hell it is.’ ” If you get hives off and on, or you have chronic hives, make sure you find someone who has the knowledge base, interest and skill to help you look for the source of your hives. I have had several patients who had been told they had “chronic hives”, who actually had dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin reaction that looks live hives or herpes, and goes along with gluten sensitivity. Others were allergic to something common like corn syrup, or chlorine. Hives can also be an indication of thyroid disease or cancer, so all the more important not to treat them as a superficial problem.

Also, in general, stay away from white flour, which is bleached with bromine, white sugar, which is chemically refined, additives like sulfites and MSG, diet sweeteners like aspartame, food additives in general, and food and body products with mile-long lists of chemicals and additives.

Last but not least, stress can cause hives, or make them worse if you already have them. Some good remedies for stress are exercise, good nutrition, yoga, meditation, and guided imagery.

Now, that said, how about those home remedies? Home remedies are appropriate when you have a mild case of hives in a limited area, not around or in your mouth, lips and throat, and the hives are not spreading and getting worse by the minute.

Here are the top ten (some common, and some not-so-common) food, herbal and vitamin remedies for hives.
1) Quercetin with Vitamin C, 500 to 1000 milligrams of each, four times a day, with at least 8 ounces of water each time. Quercetin and Vitamin C are both natural anti-histamines.
2) Green tea—drink one to three cups a day. Green tea contains strong antioxidants.
3) Baking soda paste on skin, or 1 cup added to a bath.
4) Ginger—8 ounces in a gallon of hot water. Add to bath water and soak.
5) Jewelweed—2-3 tablespoons in 3 cups of boiling water—may be taken as a tea, 1 cup 2 to 3 times a day, used as a poultice on the skin, or used in a bath.
6) Milk thistle—may be taken as a supplement, 200 mg., four times per day.
7) Turmeric—a natural anti-inflammatory—one 500 mg. capsule, 2 to 3 times per day.
8 ) Mint tea—freeze and put the frozen tea-slush on the skin.
9) Vinegar and baking soda—1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 tablespoons Bragg’s or other organic apple cider vinegar, 6-8 ounces of warm water. Drink three times a day.
10) Vitamins B12, C, E, and the mineral selenium. B12—500 to 1000 micrograms daily (best to get the kind taken under the tongue, for better absorption.) C—according to Dr. Linus Pauling’s excellent (and so often ignored) research, all humans need from 1500 to 2500 milligrams per day, best taken in 500 milligram doses, every three to four hours. Vitamin E—400 IU daily is a good dose. Selenium—too much can cause damage, so I would limit it to no more than 200 micrograms per day. *

Remember, the best way to get rid of your hives is to get rid of the cause!

*Yang GQ, Xia YM

Department of Trace Element Nutrition, Chinese Academy of
Preventive Medicine, Beijing, China.

The human dietary selenium requirement in China has been estimated by various methods. The minimum dietary selenium requirement for the prevention of Keshan disease (KD) was found to be around 17 micrograms/d. On the other hand, an intake of 40 micrograms/d is required to maintain the plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity at plateau. Hence 40 micrograms/d is considered as the adequate dietary selenium requirement. Studies conducted in a chronic selenosis area indicate that the toxic dietary selenium intake (adverse effect level), which would maintain the characteristic fingernail changes, was approximately 1600 micrograms/d. The mean value of dietary selenium intakes, which enabled the five patients to recover from fingernail lesions, was found to be 819 +/- 126 micrograms/d. At a 95% confidence limit, the lower limit is around 600 micrograms/d. Therefore, 600 and 400 micrograms/d were suggested as the individual daily maximum safe selenium intake and the safe dietary selenium intake, respectively. The results were used in the prevention of Se-related endemic KD and Kashin-Beck disease (KBD).

Copyright by Martha H. Howard MD February 1, 2008. All rights reserved.

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Is your home healthy?


We like to think that our homes are a safe haven. However, certain products and designs can create health risks.


Pollutant levels inside our homes and offices may be two to five times higher than the air outside. Combine that with the fact that we spend 75 to 90% of our time indoors and we know why the quality of the indoor air has become a major concern.


Multiple-chemical sensitivity is a heightened reaction to substances that cause symptoms ranging from respiratory ailments to depression and anxiety. The cause, the prevalence, and even the existence of this and other disorders like fibromyalgia – a musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder – is subject to debate. The growing consensus, however, is that the flood of new chemicals introduced into the environment every year is making people sick.


Symptoms and health effects range from mild short-term acute effects, such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and general discomfort, to more serious long-term effects, such as respiratory disorders, lung cancer, and immune system disorders.


And, some people report that they react to chemicals in their environments and that these allergy-like reactions seem to relate to exposure to a wide variety of synthetic and natural substances, including paints, carpeting, plastics, perfumes, cigarette smoke, and plants. In my own home, I keep pollen and spore counts down with an air filtration system based on creation of negative ions. The 5 filter system ensures air quality. I also keep my air conditioning system set on re-circulate to reduce pollen and mold.


Some steps have already been taken to improve the quality of indoor air in new and existing residential and commercial buildings. Windows are triple-glazed and walls are half-meter thick. Today’s homebuilders strive to build homes that meet the demands and needs of home buyers. And, today’s consumer is well-educated about indoor air quality, radon, and environmentally correct building materials.


Banning toxins is another approach. Some health-conscious homeowners are opting out of natural gas, which according to some studies (Barron, Drerup) is believed to aggravate chemical sensitivity. They are ripping out carpets, which can trap toxic fumes. The good news is, carpets, paints, wood treatments, drapes and bedding are increasingly available in non-toxic versions, void of substances linked to carcinogens.


“Healthy Homes” is a century-old concept that promotes safe, decent, and sanitary housing as a means for preventing disease and injury. Healthy housing is receiving considerable attention from public health professionals and policy makers as a result of emerging scientific evidence linking health outcomes such as asthma and lead poisoning to substandard housing. And substandard housing can be seen across economic lines! Even expensive new homes may have hazards lurking within. These homes may be built on landfills or former orchards that were treated for years with pesticides. Creating healthier housing promotes the healthy growth and development of children and has the potential to save billions in healthcare costs.





So, what is a homeowner to do?


First, assess how unhealthy your home might be. Examine cleaning supply labels and pesticides. Scented personal products can be big offenders. There are approximately 5000 chemicals registered for use in personal products that can, in combination, or individually, negatively impact the immune system of a child. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), an affiliate of the National Institute of Health (NIH) has explored the link between children, the environment and neurotoxicity. (Booker, 2001) Think about building materials commonly used today, including the glues, waxes, and finishes used. Renovations should be performed when children are not present, with proper ventilation and, if possible, with the least toxic materials. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health, when you look at all of these toxins that invade our homes and how they accumulate in the immune systems of children, it is no wonder they are struggling to learn and suffering from hyperactivity and many are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.


As a homeowner, parent, or grandparent you can, and should be involved in making healthier decisions. Health-conscious homeowners are now buying cutting boards and countertops treated with bacteriocides. They have also found that silver and copper are naturally sanitizing. Silver-ion coatings keep handles and faucets germ-free. Silver and copper are naturally sanitizing. For information on ‘green’ environments, visit www.pathnet.org or www.globalgreen.org.


On the cutting edge of wellness technology are materials that radiate far-infrared rays, the part of the sun’s invisible spectrum that can penetrate deep into human tissue. Such materials have been widely used in Japan for years and are gaining respect here as germ-zappers and a remedy for ailments such as arthritis and Fibromyalgia. These materials are available in comforters manufactured by Nikken, the Japanese wellness company. For more information, visit www.mynikken.net/corewellness.


A healthy home can and should be a healing home. Make a commitment to create your own healthy home – and a healthy household. Good health begins and ends with you!


Sharon Weinstein is a registered nurse, health educator, author and certified wellness and environmental specialist. Weinstein is managing director of Core Wellness International, an independent Nikken distributorship. She can be reached at sharonw@corelimited.com.

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We think of our homes as safe havens, protecting our families. But did you know that there are hundreds of toxic chemicals in your household that can harm your health?

A study by the State of Massachusetts found that 50% of all illness is due to poor indoor air quality. 1

We like to think our homes are safe havens, but did you know that the dangerous toxins in your home and indoor air are health hazards for you and your family? Here are some easy ways to detoxify your home from harmful toxic chemicals.

Additionally, the National Toxicology Program found that 150 chemicals can be found in the average home. 2

You might be surprised about where toxins lurk, but don’t despair – there are easy, natural alternatives!

But first, here are some facts you should know about toxic chemicals and your health 3:

* 75,000 synthetic (man-made) chemicals are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 250 billion pounds of these chemicals are produced every year.


* According to the EPA, only a fraction of these have been fully tested for human health concerns.


* Synthetic chemicals have been found in the blood of children and adults, even in the cord blood of newborns:
– Analysis of cord blood of newborn babies at Mt Sinai Hospital found more than 200 chemicals already in the blood stream at birth.


– A recent study on adults found a total of more than 200 synthetic chemicals in their blood — with an average of 67 different chemicals in each individual.


* Serious illnesses are increasing among children and adults:


– Toxic chemicals in the home and household cleaners are associated with allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological or neurological disorders.


– 90% of poison exposures occur in the home. In fact, women who work at home have a 54% greater death rate from cancer, according to a 15-year study reported at the 1990 Toronto Indoor Air Conference. This study concluded that the increase resulted from increased exposures to toxins in the home.4


– Women who use dry cleaning may have increased risk of developing breast cancer.5

The main culprit for toxic chemicals in your home are air fresheners and household cleaning products, like drain cleaners, liquid dish soap, oven cleaners, all purpose cleaners and furniture polish.

Additionally, building materials, furniture fabrics and new carpeting all add to exposure to toxic chemicals in your home.

Another common household product, Teflon (found in non-stick pans and fabrics), was banned by the Swedish government due to increased risk of breast cancer.6

What the advertisements don’t tell you is that women who use non-stick pans and stain-resistant fabrics risk harming their baby’s health too.

The toxins in Teflon and stain resistant fabrics do NOT break down and instead, accumulate in your body.7 In one study, researchers found toxic chemicals from non-stick pans and stain resistant fabrics in the breast milk of every woman tested.8

(While breast milk is still the healthiest form of nourishment for your newborn, it’s important to know that your exposure to toxic chemicals also affects your baby.)

It may seem like toxins are everywhere…and while they really are a fact of life in today’s world, it’s easy to reduce your toxic load! These days, there are non-toxic alternatives for just about everything you use in your home.

Reduce Toxic Load for Overall Health
So how can reducing exposure to toxic chemicals improve your health?

Our last two articles had several tips for a detoxification diet and breast health, so these tips focus on two easy steps to detoxify your home:

1. Choose non-toxic alternatives – Look around your home and begin to look for non-toxic alternatives to common toxic household goods.

At PureBalance Natural Health Center, Dr. Ingrid Maes and I do extensive research on safe household cleaning and beauty products. Whether you come visit the center and shop our store or purchase products online, here are some that we highly recommend:

* Ecover – from dish liquid to laundry detergent and household cleaners, Ecover is a truly “green” (chemical free) product that does not test on animals.


* Le Creuset Cookware – Le Creuset is enamel coated cast-iron, which is a healthy alternative to toxic aluminum or Teflon coated pans. While Le Creuset cannot compete with Teflon for it’s non-stick properties, isn’t your family’s health worth a little extra elbow grease?


* Non-Toxic (“Green”) Furniture & Paint – Did you know that most furniture today is coated with toxins to make them stain resistant or inflammable? Because of this, many people are choosing to buy antique furniture. If you are looking for beautiful modern designs, consider our favorite find, Green Nest. You can also avoid VOCs with Zero VOC and Low paint from Green Nest! Created by a husband and wife team of green builders, Green Nest many safe, non-toxic products a healthy, toxin-free home!

2. Clear the air – the air in your home or office can be up to ten times worse than the air outdoors! Protect yourself from toxins in the air like pet dander, mold, pollen, radon, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and more by using an air purifier.

Now that you are thinking differently about the products you use in your home and the air you breathe, the next step would be to begin looking at your personal care products, like soaps, lotions and other beauty products.

Stay tuned for future articles on healthy skin and beauty products, along with more tips to enjoy your best health!

At PureBalance Natural Health Center, we are committed to helping you detoxify your body, your lifestyle AND your home.

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Spring and fall are allergy season. Common allergens for seasonal allergies are pollens, dusts, molds, pesticides etc. Common symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, running nose, cough, headaches, ear and sinus inflammation. Taking anti-histamine medication may help to ease the symptoms but not resolve the root issue. Most of the seasonal allergies are triggered by IgE immune response, which is a malfunction of the immune system.

Allergy information can be inherited from the parents and also developed through later years of life. Many factors can cause sensitive immune system and make allergy symptoms worse. Toxin build up in the body and weakened adrenal system are two major factors. Some baseline food allergies also play a role in many seasonal allergy cases.

Seasonal allergy not only causes inconvenience in life but increases stresses as well. Most importantly, allergies are symptoms on the surface. They often represent deeper issues in the immune system. Most allergy patients also easily catch colds/flu, tonsilitis, sinus infection, bronchitis etc. Some of them may even develop autoimmune diseases in the future.

To prevent mild seasonal allergies, living in a healthy lifestyle is a must. Busy lifestyle stresses adrenal system. Unhealthy foods such as dairy, sugar and white flours may result in food intolerance and intestinal toxic condition. Stress and toxins are two major factors for allergies. Therefore, healthy eating, exercise, enough sleep are the basis to prevent seasonal allergies.

For those who suffer from server allergies, finding a holistic practitioner who specializes in helping allergy and sensitive body is your best chance to recovery. Treating allergies involves balancing, detoxifying, regenerating the body. The timing of each therapy is important as well. With the systematic approach, allergy information can be successfully removed from your system and your children in the future may not carry the information and suffer from the allergies any more.

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Spring has finally arrived. And with the long-awaited beautiful weather and the shades of green painting our landscape, come the fragrances of spring and summer—flowers, tree blossoms, and cut grass. All of which are loaded with the release of pollens and allergens. These are harmless substances for most of us; but for some they take the enjoyment out of Spring and Summer. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, roughly 20% of Americans suffer from allergies and another 20% suffer from hypersensitivities to food, environmental substances, or stimuli.

Many of us have children who are on summer sports teams. While we want to enjoy our child’s game, it seems impossible when our eyes are red, itchy, swollen, and watery. Add to that a stuffy or drippy nose, sneezing or coughing, and sitting in the hot sun just doesn’t add up to fun. So what can you do if summer allergies make you miserable? If you are one of those sufferers, then read on.

1) Take a whole food based Vitamin C.
Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine. Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY found that taking vitamin C daily, significantly reduced blood histamine levels. Dr. Richard Podell, author of When Your Doctor Doesn’t Know Best: Errors That Even the Best Doctors Make and How to Protect Yourself, recommends 1000 milligrams of vitamin C (Ester-C) twice daily to help with allergies and asthma.

2) Magnesium eases breathing
Some immunologists suggest taking 400 milligrams of magnesium daily helps with nasal allergies and breathing problems. Taking more than that can cause diarrhea. If you want to supplement your diet with magnesium–rich foods, the best sources are nuts, beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and bananas.

3) Nutrients for your nose
Dr. Jeremy Kazlow, University of California (www.drkazlow.com), recommends vitamin A, selenium, zinc, and vitamin E to help protect your mucus membranes from the damaging effects of air pollution. And my personal favorite, is to take 250 milligrams of quercetin three times a day. Quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory supplement used to fight allergies.

4) Wear sunglasses when going outside
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, creates a certain amount of photosensitivity. Wearing sunglasses helps reduce your sensitivity to light and thus helps your eyes from excessive watering.

5) Bring a cold pack
When you are at an outdoor sports event, periodically place a cold pack over your eyes and on your face to reduce inflammation and help relieve some of your symptoms.

6) Drink a lot of cool water
It probably seems counterintuitive, to recommend drinking water with all of that liquid in your sinuses, nose and eyes. But rehydrating is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins from your body. Besides, it cools you down and provides some symptom relief.

7) Check the local pollen count
If you have severe allergies, you might consider wearing a mask on days when the pollen count is unusually high.

8 ) Stay away from dairy
I know, it is summer and that means ice cream. But if you have hay fever, eating dairy will produce even more phlegm and make you feel worse.

9) Use your bathroom exhaust fan when taking a shower
This will help prevent to growth of mold in the shower. Cleaning your bathtub or shower liner is also important. Better yet, replace your liner every month or two, if you have mold sensitivities or asthma.

10) Keep your dryer vent clear
Build-up of lint in the dryer vent will cause an excess of dust in your house. Have your vents cleaned regularly to avoid aggravating your allergy symptoms.

11) Use a vacuum with a HEPA Filter
HEPA filter vacuums do not recirculate back into the air the polluting particles that the vacuum has just picked up. Make sure you have a true HEPA filter and not a HEPA-like filter. You can tell by looking at the manufacturer’s test results of their filter. A true HEPA filter will have test results stating that .3 microns are 99.97 percent or above.

12) Get rid of clutter
Allergy sufferers need to be especially careful about controlling dust in their homes. And clutter is a major source of dust and dust mites. If you can’t see your floors or walls in closets and basements, you have a clutter problem. Just as clutter clogs your house and obstructs the free flow of energy in your home, clutter also clogs your nose and obstructs the free flow of life-giving air into your body.

13) Get tested for food allergies
Many people who have summer allergies are also sensitive to different foods. These multiple sensitivities build on each other and stress the immune system. Find out what foods you are sensitive to and either eliminate them from your diet or get treated for them so you can eat those foods symptom-free.

14) Find a good natural health practitioner who specializes in allergy relief
I recommend finding a specialist in AAT, Advanced Allergy Therapeutics. It is a safe, effective, and affordable treatment for the relief of allergy symptoms without the use of needles, shots, medications, supplements, or avoidance. AAT retrains your body to accept as harmless the food, substance, or stimuli that you were allergic to. For more information on Advanced Allergy Therapeutics, see www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com.

Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in the treatment children and adults with allergies and hypersensitivities. He is the Founder and Director of the Midwest Allergy Relief Centers (www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com).

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Home should be a safe haven from the outside world…and unfortunately, it is not! What is a family to do? Think about your family, your kids, your pets, and make some decisions that will have a positive effect on their health and their future.
Healthy kids in an unhealthy world.

Five definitive steps that you can take to protect your kids include: stop using lawn pesticides, eliminate tuna from their diets, select organic apple juice and apple products, use green cleaning products, and filter your drinking water.

The kitchen – the epicenter of safety
An area of the home in which water is used profusely is the kitchen. So, use a living water filtration system (www.nikken.com/corewellness), dispose of hazardous water appropriately, use non-toxic cleaners and watch items that are heavily sprayed. For example organic meals, dairy products, fruits and vegetables that are sprayed include apples, celery, cherries, grapes, grapefruit, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, and strawberries. Those that are least contaminated include artichokes, asparagus, avocados, banana, beets, sweet corn, cranberries, eggplant, mangos, onions, pineapple, and zucchini.

Follow the Safe Fish Chart when selecting fish for pregnant women and your kids: www.Checnet.org

Minimize or avoid soft plastic, never microwave in plastic. Use glass food storage containers, baby bottles, and wood or metal bowls/cutlery. Avoid polyvinylchloride (PVC) and grades 3, 6 or 7 plastics.

In the Bathroom
We spend lots of time there, and yet, the bathroom is often unsafe! Use a shower or bath chlorine filter to eliminate the chlorine from the water. Otherwise, you may as well bath in the local swimming pool. Make healthy choices when it comes to shampoos, creams, personal care products. Check your existing brands in this interactive guide www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php

In the Living Room
Minimize flame retardant exposure in products like computers, TV’s, carpeting, household furniture and flooring by reusing/buying second hand or consult buying guides at www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous&s=cosm. Limit formaldehyde exposure in many carpets, durable press drapes, particleboard and adhesives.

Only buy plastic toys if they are PVC or phthalate free- (PVC, polycarbonate/PC, #7 or #3 recycling code). Avoid dollar store toys and toys with kiddie meals. Phthalate-free teethers and rattles include Chicco, Little Tikes, Evenflo, Gerber, Hasbro, Fisher-Price, Shelco, Playskool, Mattel, Arco, Tyco and The First Years. PVC-free toys are made by Baby Vision, Early Start, Little Tikes, Primetime Playthings, Tiny Love (except Discovery Lane), Brio, Gerber toys after 2000, Playskool, Viking Toys, Sassy (except vinyl photo albums), and Lego (except Scala dollheads).

In the Basement
Avoid mould and mildew by ventilating properly, using dehumidifiers where needed and maintaining humidifiers. Use non-toxic pest control and seek advice online at www.beyondpesticides.org/alternatives/factsheets/index.htm or www.beyondpesticides.org/safetysources/index.htm/ or hire a professional.

In the Garden
Select pesticide free lawn care products. Check your lawn service carefully. It is common practice for mainstream companies to advertise “organic” or “green” care options where they use an organic fertilizer but still use pesticides and pre-emergent poisons. Be an educated consumer; visit sites such as: www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/faq.htm.

In the car
Have your infant car seat inspected to ensure safe installation. Consider a used car, which will have lower flame retardant and phthalate levels. www.ecocenter.org/toxicatanyspeed.shtml has different brands and their toxicity levels and www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=hous&s=auto/ has overall ratings.

Make your home a safe haven from the outside world – and ensure good health for you and your family in the process!

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In the decade between 1990 and 2000 the cost of asthma care went up 54%, according to Family Practice News (October 1, 2000:5). More focus on diet,
lifestyle and supplementation can cut these costs. More attention should also be
paid to drug therapy and efforts should be made to reduce drug intake.

Inhaler overuse is an important issue, and can lead to increased hospitalizations and death. An article appearing in Family Practice News (April 15, 1993;46) stated that deaths from asthma could be cut by 50% if physicians monitored beta agonist inhaler overuse by patients. An inhaler should last one month, but often prescriptions are given with unlimited refills and the doctor has no idea how often the patient is using the inhaler. Other medications can contribute to asthma attacks. An article in the Annals of Allergy (June 1992;68:453-462) stated
that drugs may be responsible for as many as 10% of asthma attacks. NSAIDs
may be responsible for 2/3 of these drug induced attacks. Drugs, like muscle
relaxants, beta-blockers, or antibiotics can also trigger asthma attacks.

Diet is seldom stressed by the medical establishment, but it plays a role in asthma. Research appearing in the European Respiratory Journal (2009; 33:33-41) looked at the dietary habits of 54,672 French women and the association with asthma attacks. Of the subjects, 1,063 currently had asthma with 206 having asthma attacks at least once per week. There was a strong correlation between the frequency of asthma attacks the adherence to a “Western” diet including pizza, cured meats, sweets and other processed foods. Also the types of fats in the diet affect asthma symptoms, according to research appearing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005; 59(12): 1335-46). It found that
omega-3 fatty acids were especially helpful for preventing exercise induced
asthma attacks. This was supported by a review article appearing in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine (1994;24:727), which found that a diet low in omega-3 fatty acids and high in omega-6 fatty acids and margarine may be part of the reason that asthma is on the rise. The article notes that asthma is low in Scandinavia and in Mediterranean countries where there is less omega-6 consumption and more consumption of omega-3 and olive oil.

Clinical and Experimental Allergy (2000;30:615-627) reviewed research about nutrients that may affect asthma. Magnesium supplementation was found to
reduce reactivity in the airways; magnesium is a mild bronchodilator, and acts to open the airways. Vitamin C intake has been shown to reduce exercise induced asthma. Vitamin C levels tend to be low in asthmatics. The journal Thorax (2009; 64(7): 610-9) also reviewed nutritional studies related to asthma and the intake of antioxidants, namely vitamins A, C and E. The authors concluded that “Relatively low dietary intakes of vitamins A and Care associated with statistically significant increased odds of asthma and wheeze.” This was echoed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1995;61(Suppl.):625S-630S). A study appearing in the journal Thorax (May 2006; 61: 388 – 393) looked at 1,030 subjects and found that dietary vitamin C and manganese intake were inversely associated with asthma symptoms.

Nutrition is a simple and inexpensive way to improve asthma symptoms. It can reduce asthma costs and save lives.

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In the last ten years, cell-phones have moved from accessories to necessities. Men, women and even children now carry cell-phones, talking and texting non-stop throughout the day. Most never think twice about how their phone operates or the potentially harmful radiation being emitted in order to connect to friends and family. As cell-phone use continues to grow, so does the concern about the possible health risks of prolonged exposure to cell-phone radiation.

While studies on the health risks of cell-phone use have mixed results as to whether or not it is harmful, there is the belief that toxins in the body, such as cell-phone radiation, should be monitored and eliminated in order for the body to rid itself of any ailments.

Cell phones contain batteries and are magnetic. If you place a paperclip on the table and hold your phone over it, it will jump onto your phone where this magnet is.

Try these tips for decreasing the radiation from cell phones:

- Use the speaker phone feature or a plug in headset will keep the battery away from your head.
- Using a bluetooth type device keeps that battery right at your head and is not advised.
- Keep your phone off your person at all times. Do not keep them in a breast or pants pocket.
- Keep your phone away from you while you sleep.
- There are devices to decrease the effects of the EMF electromagnetic frequency however the jury is still out as to whether or not they work. At this point I have read both sides and one side says it works (people selling them) and the other says it actually increases the frequencies (environmental working group) as the phone has to work even harder to overcompensate for the device.

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Gluten has been in the news lately. We notice that more foods are being promoted as “gluten-free”. Yet most people have no idea what gluten is or why there are “gluten-free” foods. Let’s see if we can bring some clarity to why even Chex Cereal is now being advertised as “gluten-free”.

Gluten is nothing more than a protein in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Most of us would never know if we ate something with gluten in it. However, some people have a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten which manifests as a “wheat allergy”. If you have a wheat allergy, your body thinks that wheat is a harmful substance that needs to be attacked and repelled. The symptoms of a wheat allergy vary, but commonly manifest as some gastrointestinal distress, maybe skin irritations, and even sinus congestion. These are typical allergy reactions. There are highly effective treatments available for a wheat allergy (for more information on treating food allergies go to www.MidwestAllergyRelief.com¹

On the other hand, there is a more serious autoimmune disorder known as Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is not a “wheat allergy”. It is a genetic disorder in which the body attacks itself when gluten is ingested. In an allergy, the body attacks the foreign substance, not itself. In celiac disease the villi of the small intestine are destroyed creating nutritional deficiencies and other severe reactions.² Celiac disease is difficult to diagnose without specific blood testing. Most people with celiac disease have been misdiagnosed because of its wide range of symptoms. The following are a sampling of the symptoms of celiac disease (a person with celiac disease can have one symptom or all of them or even be asymptomatic): short-term symptoms include, bloating after eating gluten, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, irritability, itchy skin rashes; long-term symptoms include chronic fatigue, anemia, osteoporosis, easily fractured bones, chronic weight loss. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 133 Americans have celiac disease with as many as 2 million people who are unaware that they even have it.³

Although there is no cure for celiac disease, following a gluten free diet will allow the intestinal lining to heal and will also relieve all celiac symptoms. The long-term effect of not following a gluten free diet for someone with celiac disease can be life-threatening.⁴

Gluten is in many food products, such as bread, pizza, cookies and cakes, but is also a hidden substance in foods in the forms of food starch, natural flavoring, fillers and seasonings. Gluten is also found in many over-the-counter and prescription medications as fillers and excipients. Gluten is also often used in cosmetics, health and beauty products and household products. You can see how a person with celiac disease must be vigilant in order to eliminate all gluten from their lives.

The good news is that today gluten-free foods are available in most local grocery stores as well as in specialty food stores and on-line. Even restaurants have become so familiar with celiac disease, that many provide gluten-free menus.

If you think you have celiac disease, do not immediately eliminate gluten from your diet. First, get the celiac blood test. If you are not eating gluten, the blood test will be inaccurate. If you test positive for celiac disease then following a gluten free diet will transform your life.

Tips for Following a Gluten Free Diet
– When baking, there are great substitutes for wheat flour now available. They contain a combination of rice flour, tapioca starch and potato starch, which can be substituted 1:1 for wheat flour in many recipes. These ready-made, all-purpose, gluten free flour products are available at many grocery and specialty stores, as well as on-line.

– Although the internet is filled with misinformation, the following websites are accurate and provide a tremendous amount of information on how to live a gluten free life:
www.GlutenFree.com
www.GlutenFreeMall.com
www.CeliacDisease.net
www.CsaCeliacs.org

– As mentioned above, many restaurants now have gluten free menus. However, when eating out, always inform the server that you are on a gluten free diet when you are seated. Ask to speak to the manager and go over menu choices and preparation before ordering. The manager will alert the kitchen staff and chef to insure that your food is prepared safely.

– When traveling, staying in a residence-type hotel with a kitchenette, makes it easier to follow a gluten free diet.

– Sleep-away camp can still be fun for a child with celiac disease. Just work with the camp directors and staff to insure a safe experience for your child. Some camps will even provide a section of a freezer and a microwave so pre-made foods can be sent from home while following the camp menu with gluten free alternatives.

– Parties can be managed quite well by calling ahead and speaking with the host or hostess. This will enable you to determine the planned menu and bring a dish that is gluten free.

– Find a local celiac support group by searching for one in your area on the internet.

Remember, a diagnosis of celiac disease for you, your child, or a loved one, is not “the end of the world”. It is the beginning of a wonderful, transformational journey toward healing, health, and well-being that will allow you to become the healthy person you were meant to be.

Beverly Wahl, ATP®, is an ordained minister who works with her husband, Dr. Ian Wahl, providing emotional and spiritual support to patients at their clinic in Arlington Heights, IL. Beverly has been active in the celiac community for 13 years, after her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Beverly at 847-392-7901.

Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH, is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in the treatment of children and adults with allergies, hypersensitivities, and other chronic conditions that have not responded to traditional nor alternative treatments. His daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease 13 years ago. He is the founder and director of the Midwest Allergy Relief Center, the Wahls of Wellness and also the Natural Fertility Health Center.

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With all the resent information regarding lead in children’s toys I wanted to share with you the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry’s opinion on lead so you can be a better informed consumer.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that lead and lead compounds are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens and the EPA has determined that lead is a probable human carcinogen .

Exposure to lead is more dangerous for young and unborn children. Unborn children can be exposed to lead through their mothers. Harmful effects include premature births, smaller babies, and decreased mental ability in the infant, learning difficulties, and reduced growth in young children. These effects are more common if the mother or baby was exposed to high levels of lead. Some of these effects may persist beyond childhood. Lead can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system. Lead has been found in at least 1,272 of the 1,684 National Priority List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. ToxFAQs for Lead)

So what’s a Mom or Dad to do?

Be mindful when purchasing anything that your young one may be putting in their mouth, on their skin, in the tub. Remember heat will make most chemicals come out faster and also heat from the bath water makes skin much more absorbable. So toxins can enter your child more easily in the tub/shower.

If you purchase toys that are known to be toxic return them as soon as possible.

Things that are put onto or into the body( inhalation, lotions, makeup ,sucking on things etc.) will have a greater impacted regarding the effects of the toxic substance.

Keep mindful of where you live. If it is an area designated by the EPA as a high risk area, protect your home with air purifiers.

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Check The Following:

If you answered “Yes” to five or more of any of the above questions, you could benefit greatly from the Gut Wisdom™ Detox Program.

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Prevent pollution related illness in your family – by Dr Martha Howard, MD
Indoor chemical pollutants make children sick: Tips to avoid exposure – by Dr Martha Howard, MD
Chemicals in sunscreen – gender benders? – by Dr Martha Howard, MD
Eczema: causes, symptoms and treatments – by Dr. Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH
Do you need a Gut Wisdom™ Detox? – by Alyce M. Sorokie
Toxic Toys – by Dr Diane Meyer
Living A Gluten Free Life – by Beverly & Ian Wahl
Toxic Cell Phones – by Dr Diane Meyer
Reducing Asthma Costs – by Dr Kristina Sargent
Detox Your Home and Make It Healthy! – by Sharon M Weinstein, MS, RN
14 Tips for Breathing Easy this Spring and Summer – by Dr Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc
Surviving Seasonal Allergies – by Dr Harry Hong
Detoxify Your Home to Boost Your Immunity – by Dr Dr. Tom Bayne
Is Yours a Healthy Home? – by Dr Sharon M. Weinstein
Foods & Herbs for Hives – by Dr Martha Howard, MD
Fall into Health: The 4 Steps to Great Health Through Detoxification – by Dr Tom Bayne
Allergies and Infertility: The Truth About The Connection – by Ian Wahl, DA, MSW
Rebalancing The Intestinal Terrain – by Dr Tom Bayne
Children and Food Allergies – by Dr. Martha Howard, MD