To get rid of allergies, you have to address many factors contributing to of inflammation and hyper-reactivity of your body. Where do we start?
The first place to start is in your gut.
The Gut and Allergy Connection While the connection between your gut and seasonal allergy symptoms might not be instantly obvious, healing your gut is the first step to waving your seasonal allergies goodbye. Let’s take a closer look. One of the major jobs of your digestive system is to provide an interface between the external world (foods, allergens, bacteria, etc.) and your bloodstream. It does this in the stomach by using natural digestive acids to break down potentially allergenic proteins and in the intestines via a layer of barrier cells that prevents these proteins from getting into your bloodstream.
You also have a whole host of special bacteria in your gut, as well as immune cells, whose job it is to break down and get rid of proteins and other molecules that can cause you to get sensitized to them, leading to gut – and systemic – inflammation. This is called leaky gut
What causes your gut to become inflamed? Many lifestyle habits and food choices can weaken your gut lining over time, making you more prone to inflammation and allergies. Here are a few examples: • Acid reflux medication, such as proton-pump inhibitors. When you are taking medications for reflux (like a PPI such as Prilosec) this takes out the first line of defense – your stomach acid. • Food sensitivities. When your gut barrier gets weakened from chronic exposure to foods that irritate your gut, you’re more likely to experience inflammation. • Antibiotics. When the good gut bacteria get out of balance from antibiotics, you can develop a leaky gut.
Foreign proteins get into your system and place your body on red alert to react to many harmless triggers in your environment such as tree pollen. So, the first step to quieting down your body’s over reactivity is to heal your gut. This will reduce both seasonal allergies and common food sensitivities.
In the office, we start with identifying the root causes of your allergies and build a personalized program to set you free .. of allergies.
In December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China. On 31 December 2019, the outbreak was traced to a novel strain of Coronavirus, which was given the interim name 2019-nCoV by the World Health Organization (WHO), later renamed SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Some researchers have suggested that the Huanan Seafood Market may not be the original source of viral transmission to humans.
As of 5 March 2020, there have been at least 3,286 confirmed deaths and more than 95,748 confirmed cases in the coronavirus pneumonia outbreak. In the US, there are about 60 cases in California.
The Wuhan strain has been identified as a new strain of Betacoronavirus from group 2B with an ~70% genetic similarity to the SARS-CoV. The virus has a 96% similarity to a bat coronavirus, so it is widely suspected to originate from bats as well.
According to Forbes magazine, there are two strains of this virus, one that is more aggressive than the other.
There are yet to be vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat human coronavirus infections. In addition, wearing masks do not afford protection.
And no, you can’t get this virus from drinking a Corona. 😊
Infections range from mild to serious. The virus can turn deadly if it leads to pneumonia, respiratory failure, or septic shock. Those most at risk of death are the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
The outbreak quickly moved from China around the world. It spreads the same way other coronaviruses do: through person-to-person contact.
Symptoms can show up anywhere from 2 to 27 days after exposure. Early on, they’re a lot like the common cold. You might notice:
Fever
Dry Cough
Shortness of breath
As modern science scrambles to develop a vaccine (many months away), as governments employ the ineffective quarantines, and as the public worries more each day; there is already a viable solution within our immediate reach. It comes by consensus and experience from functional medicine doctors from all around the world.
Quarantines do not work simply because we can’t stop any movement as Dr. Brewer explains:
“We’re a globally connected society today. It’s difficult to have an effective quarantine,” said Timothy Brewer, professor of medicine and a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. “For a quarantine to really be effective, you have to be able to prevent any movement. That’s very difficult to do in this day and age.”
In addition, the incubation time of this virus is up to 27 days. In other words, it can take up to 27 days before you actually have symptoms of the infection. 27 days is a very long time and that person could have potentially infected hundreds of other people.
Although they’ve given you some pretty important tips for PREVENTING the Coronavirus, they have missed one important aspect:
Strengthening your immune system!
Having a stronger immune system could go a long way to fighting off nasty pathogenic terrors that could make you sick.
Look…it’s that time of year where everyone is getting sick. And the more preventative measures you can take now to stop the spread of these viruses, the better off you are.
And if you happen to get sick, it would be better to have it for a few days than a few weeks, am I right?
As always, we must first ensure personal immune integrity. There’s a list of scientifically-backed, vitally-important nutrients that people can take right now to better ensure their body’s ability to respond and properly minimize the impact.
Vitamin C is very important for viral infection prevention:
These herbs or products are a good way to strengthen your immune system and minimize your risks of getting this virus.
In addition, diet is very important. Dairy products, sugar, and wheat are to be eliminated out of your diet. These foods are known to reduce the ability of your immune system to fight infections. You can read more about this phenomenon here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29727694
Finally, you can add coconut oil to your diet is known to have antimicrobial properties.
Nutrition: the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for HEALTH and GROWTH.
How would you rate your nutrition? Are you eating a balanced diet that will provide your body with the opportunity to heal and grow? Don’t let all of the fad diets and “health” trends drive you to distraction. Instead, remember the 4 key facts provided by Harvard Health Publishing:
“What you eat affects your appearance, your energy and comfort, and — above all — your health.
America is on the wrong track. Two out of every three of us are overweight or obese. Diabetes and high blood pressure are on the rise. Heart attacks, strokes, and cancer are distressingly common. Many factors contribute to these complex problems, but the basic reasons are simple: we eat too much, we choose the wrong foods, and we don’t get enough exercise.
Scientists know what diet is best for health. The fine print has changed and is likely to change some more, but the key facts are in.
Good eating is not a punishment, but an opportunity. If you know why it’s important and what to do, you’ll find it enjoyable and satisfying. And if you establish an overall pattern of healthful nutrition, you’ll have plenty of wiggle room to savor the treats that matter most to you.”
Two Diets We Recommend…
PALEO/CAVEMAN DIET:
The Paleo Diet advises eating foods that would have been available to Paleolithic humans. The diet is based on avoiding processed foods.
The basic guidelines to live by on the Paleo Diet are:
SAY YES: organic vegetables (including root vegetables), fruits (including fruit oils), nuts, fish, meat, eggs and organ meats.
SAY NO: dairy, grain-based foods, legumes, sugar, and processed foods.
KETO DIET:
The Keto diet is a low-carb diet where you get more calories from protein and fat and less from carbohydrates. This diet is based on avoiding easily digestible carbohydrates.
SAY YES: organic meat, fish eggs, nuts, vegetables (avoid high-carb vegetables like potatoes), and low GI fruits.
SAY NO: processed foods, dairy, grain-based foods, sugar.
Burnout is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. Some experts think that other conditions, such as depression, are behind burnout but, whatever the cause, job burnout can affect your physical and mental health.
Burnout Symptoms:
Ask yourself:
Have you become cynical or critical?
Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?
Have you become irritable or impatient with colleagues, friends or family?
Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
Do you find it hard to concentrate?
Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
Do you feel disillusioned about your job or obligations?
Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
Have your sleep habits changed?
Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, you may be experiencing Burnout Syndrome.
Possible Causes:
Burnout can result from various factors, including:
Lack of control.
Unclear work/home-life expectations.
Dysfunctional workplace/home dynamics.
Extremes of activity.
Lack of social support.
Work-life imbalance.
Risk Factors:
You might be more likely to experience job burnout
if:
You lack a balance between your work life and your personal life.
You have a heavy workload.
You try to be everything to everyone.
You work in a helping profession.
You feel you have little or no control.
Your job is monotonous.
Consequences:
Ignored burnout can have significant consequences,
including:
Excessive stress
Fatigue
Insomnia
Sadness, anger or irritability
Alcohol or substance misuse
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Vulnerability to illnesses
Mental Fog
What To Do:
TAKE ACTION!:
Evaluate your options. Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor and family. Work together to evaluate expectations or reach solutions. Prioritize goals for what must get done and what can wait.
Seek support. Whether you reach out to colleagues, friends or loved ones, support and collaboration might help you cope.
Try a relaxing activity. Explore activities that can help with stress such as yoga, meditation or tai chi.
Get some exercise. Regular physical activity can help you deal with stress and take your mind off work.
Get some sleep. Sleep restores well-being and helps protect your health.
Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the act of focusing on your breath flow and being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling at every moment, without interpretation or judgment. In a job setting, this practice involves facing situations with openness, patience, and without judgment.
Eat a nutritious diet. By providing your body with the nutrients it needs, you will also be providing it the ability to cope with stress, function optimally, and maintain mental clarity.
Using Nutrition Response Testing, we can determine what your body is lacking then suggest whole food, plant-based supplements to correct any dis-ease!
Autoimmune disease is a condition in which your body mistakenly attacks itself rather than foreign cells. A healthy immune system will send out fighter cells to defend itself against foreign invaders such as germs and bacteria. Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and your own. In the case of autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes part of your body as foreign then releases auto antibodies that attack healthy cells. Research points towards a “Western Diet” as a suspected risk factor for developing autoimmune disorders.
Common Autoimmune Disorders:
Type 1 Diabetes
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis
Multiple Sclerosis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Celiac Disease
Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease:
Fatigue
Swelling/Redness
Achy Muscles
Low-grade Fever
Trouble Concentrating
Numbness/Tingling
Hair Loss
Skin Rashes
A period where symptoms arise is called a “flare
up”. When symptoms alleviate, it is called “remission”.
Are you interested in learning how your nutrition can be a key defense against Autoimmune Disease?
Join us THIS TUESDAY, July 2, 6:00-7:00 PM for our FREE health seminar. Our doctors will be covering the topic of autoimmune disorders and offering each attendee a mini-evaluation after the workshop.
