A recent report from Children’s Hospital Boston indicates that food allergies in children are becoming more common and more severe.  In fact, the number of food allergy cases at this hospital doubled in 2006. In addition, the number of kids with food allergies went up 18 percent from 1997 to 2007, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 3 million children younger than 18 had a food or digestive allergy in 2007, the CDC said.  There are many theories as to why more and more children are becoming allergic.  This rise in allergies could be due to our Western diet, making us more susceptible to developing allergies and other illnesses. CNN further explores this possibility in their article “Why are food allergies on the rise?“:

The children in the African village live in a community that produces its own food. The study authors say this is closer to how humans ate 10,000 years ago. Their diet is mostly vegetarian. By contrast, the local diet of European children contains more sugar, animal fat and calorie-dense foods. The study authors posit that these factors result in less biodiversity in the organisms found inside the gut of European children.

The decrease in richness of gut bacteria in Westerners may have something to do with the rise in allergies in industrialized countries, said Dr. Paolo Lionetti of the department of pediatrics at Meyer Children Hospital at the University of Florence. Sanitation measures and vaccines in the West may have controlled infectious disease, but they decreased exposure to a variety of bacteria may have opened the door to these other ailments.

“In a place where you can die [from] infectious diseases, but you don’t get allergy, obesity, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease, the flora is different,” Lionetti said.

This study only looked at a small number of children, but the findings support the widespread notion of the “hygiene hypothesis” — the idea that cases of allergies are increasing in number and severity because children grow up in environments that are simply too clean.

“That our immune system is skewed away from fighting infections, and toward fight things that it’s not supposed to be fighting, like things in the environment or foods — that’s one thing that people think may be in play,” Rudders said.

Another reason presented for this rapid increase in food allergies and food sensitivities in children is the idea of delayed introduction of high allergen foods. A study published in the Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics, “Age at First Introduction of Cow Milk Products and Other Food Products in Relation to Infant Atopic Manifestations in the First 2 Years of Life: The KOALA Birth Cohort Study” has found that delaying the introduction of certain common allergen foods, particularly cow’s milk, is not favorable and does not prevent the development of allergic response such as eczema, wheezing or atopic dermatitis. They studied data from 2558 infants in the Netherlands to come to this conclusion, through questionnaires administered at 34 weeks of gestation and 3, 7, 12, and 24 months postpartum. They then measured allergic sensitivity at age 2, through blood sampling. They determined that delaying introduction of common allergens may actually increase the risk of eczema at age 2 and beyond.

Another study involving Jewish children in the United Kingdom and Israel has found that the Israeli children who were exposed to peanuts frequently during infancy were 10 times LESS likely to develop a peanut allergy than their UK counterparts.

“The most obvious difference in the diet of infants in both populations occurs in the introduction of peanut. Israeli infants are introduced to peanut during early weaning and continue to eat peanut more frequently and in higher amounts than UK infants, who avoid peanut, as per Department of Health recommendations.  The observed differences in Peanut Allergies between the UK and Israel are unlikely to be explained by genetic differences. Our findings raise the question of whether early and frequent ingestion of high-dose peanut protein during infancy might prevent the development of Peanut Allergies through tolerance induction. Paradoxically, past recommendations in the United States and current recommendations in the UK and Australia might be promoting the development of Peanut Allergies and could explain the continued increase in the prevalence of Peanut Allergies observed in these countries.”

Whatever the reason for the increase, it’s time to look at alternative methods of addressing these allergies in children.  BioVeda Health & Wellness Centers offer a variety of holistic therapies that can help reduce or eliminate symptoms related to food allergies.  Contact a BioVeda Health & Wellness Center to learn more!

Dr. Craig Burns, D.C., A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center in East Centennial

Question: Can a pet allergy be eliminated once and for all?

Answer: Yes, but research is showing that conventional medical treatment may not be the best approach.

It is true; the incidence of pet allergies is on the rise, as is the incidence of pet allergy related asthma conditions. Therefore, the questions we must ask ourselves are: should we be concerned, why are these conditions getting worse and not better, and what can we do about it?

How Do Most Pet Allergies Work?

Pet allergies typically occur when your immune system overreacts to certain animal proteins contained in the urine or saliva. This reaction can trigger inflammation in the lining of the nasal passages (allergic rhinitis), causing sneezing,  runny nose and other signs and symptoms usually associated with hay fever. For some people, a pet allergy may be the primary cause of inflammation and contraction of airways of the lungs (asthma), resulting in wheezing, shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties.

What is the Research Telling Us?

New research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows that cats are the single biggest trigger for asthma, causing reactions in 29.3% of asthmatics. A Swedish study, meantime, found 40% of kids with asthma reacted to cats, 34% to dogs, and 28% to horses. For the kids who got runny noses and itchy eyes, 49% reacted to cats, 33% to dogs, and 37% to horses.

Dr. Jeffrey Davidson, an allergist in San Francisco and a clinical professor at the University of California San Francisco, says it’s fair to expect that as the incidence of allergic disease grows, so does the number of people reacting to animals. And while cat allergies are by far the most prevalent, people can be sensitized to any animals with feathers and fur, including dogs, guinea pigs, mice, birds, and ferrets.

What is Considered Traditional Treatment?

The traditional solution to pet allergies is to avoid contact with cats or dogs. Keep the pets out of the house, and avoid visiting people with pets. Avoiding cats and dogs may seem easy, but in reality, avoiding all people who have a cat or a dog makes an avoidance strategy nearly impossible.

You’d be surprised to know how many people, with non-life-threatening allergies, live with pets despite having allergies to them! However, in many cases the situation is much worse: people are forced to live on medications that help manage their symptoms, or worse yet, are forced to get rid of their beloved pet forever.

For many of us our pets are like our children and we cannot imagine a life without them. So what should we do in a case where our “furry” children make us miserable? Perhaps, it is time to find a better way to understand and treat these symptoms?

Is There a Better Solution to Pet Allergies?

Yes, a new solution is emerging, and boy is it long overdue!

There is a group of trusted and well respected health care practitioners that have a new and improved way of looking at, and addressing pet allergies. A BioVeda Health and Wellness Practitioner is a type of health care provider that is equipped to offer real, long lasting relief.

In short, the BioVeda Wellness Practitioner is focused on the #1 factor missing in most other forms of treatment for pet allergies:

Instead of trying to control the symptoms, the concern is trying to control the cause of the symptoms, the over active immune system or hypersensitive stress response.

Does this sound like a more logical, more direct approach to treating the patient and not just the symptom? You bet it does.

As a BioVeda Wellness Practitioner, we are seeing success where other treatments have failed. To their surprise, the patients we are treating are astounded by what we are doing for them, and so thankful it brings many to tears. Now, that’s real health care!

Contact a BioVeda Health & Wellness practitioner to learn more!

- by Dr. Eric Herman, BioVeda Health and Wellness Center of Bethlehem, PA

The word “allergy” did not even exist a century ago, and yet, respiratory allergies today are the 5th leading chronic disease in the U.S. and are the 3rd most common chronic disease among children under 18 years old. [1] It has been estimated that one in seven Americans had a respiratory allergy in 1950, but one in four have one now.

Homeopathy is highly effective in the treatment of allergies and fully capable of stimulating the organism to heal to the point of complete relief from all allergy symptoms.

Many of us have suffered from allergies at one time in our life, and usually the best treatment offered was symptomatic relief through avoidance of the allergen or through medication. Homeopathy, on the other hand, addresses the cause of the sensitivity to allergens at the deepest possible level; avoiding the allergen (the substance responsible for the allergic response) or resorting to suppression of symptoms through ongoing symptomatic treatment becomes unnecessary once this sensitivity has been eliminated.

An Allergist is the medical specialist that commonly uses small doses of an allergen in order to desensitize a person to that allergen. This concept of using small doses of what might cause a problem in order to help prevent or heal the person is an ancient observation of healers/physicians all over the world, and it is the basis for a type of natural medicine called homeopathy.

It is therefore not surprising that one of the three physicians who founded the American Acade­my of Allergy was a San Francisco homeopathic physician, Dr. Grant L. Selfridge. [2] Another small and forgotten footnote in medical history involves a homeopathic physician from Scotland, C.H. Blackley, who in 1871 was the first physician to identify pollen as the cause of hay fever. [3]

The truth is that allergies can be permanently overcome. The body is incredibly made and has all the mechanisms built within that allow us to attain and maintain great health. Our innate healing abilities are so powerful that we naturally overcome the majority of problems we encounter in life.

“Think about this for a minute – what if headaches didn’t come and go, they just came and stayed? Or, imagine if you still had every cut, scrape and injury you had ever gotten – you would be a mess. Obviously, you naturally recover from many conditions because your body has internal healing capabilities”.

Symptoms are often mistaken as the cause of the problem, when really they are caused by the problem. Treating a symptom instead of a root cause is like turning off a fire alarm instead of putting out the fire. Take headaches for example. Say you choose to use aspirin or ibuprofen to control the symptoms. Time and time again, you must take these pills (why do you think you get so many aspirin in a bottle?). In most cases, the underlying cause of the headache is not changing and therefore the headaches keep coming back! Wouldn’t you rather target the underlying cause and stop the headaches from returning at all?

Do you think that taking various over-the-counter drug products for symptoms is the best way to deal with allergies? Why use temporary solutions over and over again? Your immune system needs to be normalized and strengthened so you do not have to live with allergy symptoms.

Do you know about the possible side effects of antihistamines and decongestants, the primary ingredients in many over-the-counter allergy medications? Many allergy products can cause nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, negative reactions to other substances, stomach upset and over-sensitivity to sunlight. Additionally, many of these products will cause a rebound effect, a worsening of symptoms when the drug is discontinued. Homeopathy helps your body naturally overcome allergy symptoms with no side effects, while you stay fresh and alert.

Homeopathy is the purest form of natural medicine I have found. With over 200 years of clinical use, there are no negative side effects, no known reactions with other drugs, no contraindications for use and no addictive or habit forming properties. These outstanding results are unprecedented in the history of medicine.

Homeopathic medicines have become the first of all the natural remedies to be registered by the FDA as a drug product. Homeopathy offers a safe, natural solution backed by science, clinical experience, FDA registration and, most importantly, the tests of time.

Homeopathy is designed to work very quickly. Most people will notice initial results as early as 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Others may see results in a few minutes to a few days. Others experience a sense of lightness, accompanied by an emotional release. The corresponding sense of well being or an increase in overall energy, alertness and awareness indicates the healing response is taking place within you. Another positive sign of the healing response being activated is that you will require less and less of this natural medicine as time goes on, not more and more.

Homeopathic natural medicines are powerful. Homeopathy can be safely and effectively combined with nutritional and herbal products, as well as conventional drugs and procedures. The end results of using an all-natural approach are well worth it! Natural relief is a far healthier and often permanent solution.

Homeopathy is a very individualized healing art. A single remedy for one person with allergies may not be the same as that needed for another. Treating 10 people with allergy symptoms may require just as many different homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy offers formulas designed to strengthen you from the inside by activating your body’s natural response system to stimulate its ability to heal itself. This approach offers relief of allergy symptoms, while formulas which work specifically on the immune system may even prevent future allergic reactions. A second approach in homeopathy acclimates you for the outside by providing homeopathic preparations of the specific weeds, grasses, trees, molds and pollens found in your geographic region. Over time, your body becomes less sensitive to the exposure of these allergens, reducing the severity and frequency allergic reactions. Using both of these approaches together provide the most complete approach to allergy correction.

Using The Bax Aura system Dr. Eric Herman and other Bioveda practitioners can assess thousands of environmental, chemical and food substances to determine which ones cause neurological stress. The Bax Aura harmonic imprinter can then create custom Homeopathic Medicines specific to your sensitivities. Imagine being able to pin point your exact needs and have a natural medication custom made for you. Can you think of any other doctor or clinic on the planet that can offer this? After taking your custom Homeopathic Medication for a period you can then return and be re-tested to specifically measure the degree of improvement you have experienced.

This contemporary homeopathic approach is the only treatment method besides immunotherapy or allergy tests and shots that offer a chance for lasting relief or potential cure from allergies. Obviously, homeopathy offers the simplest, safest, and less costly and time-invested approach. Homeopathic allergy relief is applicable to anyone with allergies and should be the practical first choice for allergy care and correction.   Contact a BioVeda Health and Wellness Center to learn more!

[1] Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America

[2] Cohen SG. The American Academy of Allergy: a historical review. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1979;64: 332-333.

[3] Reilly D, Taylor MA, McSharry C, Aitchison T. Is homoeopathy a placebo response? Controlled trial of homoeopath­ic potency, with pollen in hayfever as model. Lancet October 18, 1986; ii: 881-886.

By Dr. Andrew Moore, D.C., A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center in Alamo Heights

1. Pollens. Pollens are the number one allergy triggers in the United States. Pollens are produced by vegetation – trees, grass and flowering plants – and are spread by air. When inhaled, they cause a reaction on people who are allergic to them. Most plant life release pollen into the air from spring to autumn, but there are also some plants that produce pollen in winter.

2. Animal hair. As lovable as dogs and cats are, the oil they secrete to coat their hair contains protein that can cause allergic reactions. The sad thing about it is that allergy to animal dander can develop over time and can end the relationship between a pet and its master.

3. Dust mites. Dust mites live in the dust that collect in homes and workplaces. They cannot be seen by the naked eye, and they feed on bacteria, fungi and dead skin cells in dust balls. The proteins that their waste products contain can cause allergic reactions.

4. Insect bites. An insect stings or bites as part of its defensive mechanism. However, when an insect bites, it leaves proteins in the skin that are also allergy triggers for some people. The allergy can manifest as mild swelling and itchiness, but it can also be life-threatening for some people.

5. Mold. Mold develops on damp and dark areas. When mold spores are touched or inhaled, they irritate the air tract and cause allergic reactions. Molds act almost the same way as pollens do, except that they persist even in sub-freezing temperatures.

6. Food. Some people are predisposed to developing allergies to food such as shellfish, peanuts, wheat and milk. Such people produce antibodies against the substances found in the food they are allergic to. When they eat this food, their antibodies release histamine and trigger allergic reactions. You can use food intolerance testing kit to identify possible food intolerance of your body for 96 different food types.

7. Latex. Latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree, and this sap contains proteins that can be an allergy trigger for some people. When these people come in contact with latex, they immediately show an allergic reaction. This can be problematic, given that many items used in the health care business are made of latex.

8. Medicine. Some people have immune systems that are not friendly with substances found in some drugs, like penicillin and salicylates. When these people ingest medicine containing these allergens, they can break out.

9. Perfume. There are people who cannot stand the smell of perfume, no matter how good the perfume smells. The chemicals in the perfume irritate the lining of their nose and trigger the allergy.

10. Cockroaches. Cockroaches are creepy; nobody likes them. But more than that, the proteins that their feces contain can irritate the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

-Guest Columnist: Liz Hopwood,  BioVeda Health and Wellness Center

Allergists are extremely worried about how the oil spill is being cleaned up and the health risk it poses to people with serious breathing problems, like asthma.

There are several ways an oil spill is harmful to human health. When oil is burned, people can inhale volatile organic compounds and other hydrocarbons. These oil vapors can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, eye and throat irritation, and breathing difficulties. When people inhale large amounts of fumes, they are in danger of a chemical poisoning called hydrocarbon pneumonia.

According to Dr. Marcel Casacant, Chief of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.“Smoke from burning oil contains many chemicals; some are potentially lethal poisons and some are nuisance irritants, but even these nuisance irritants can trigger breathing problems in people with asthma or emphysema or other lung disease.”

In the past few days, the state health department has ordered testing of the water systems near the Gulf for oil contamination. These tests are being conducted because residents of southwestern Louisiana have complained about odors causing breathing problems, headaches, burning eyes and nausea.

Some of the fishermen hired by BP to clean up the gulf oil spill are becoming ill after working long hours near the contaminated waters, prompting Louisiana lawmaker to ask the federal government to open clinics in rural areas to treat them. The fishermen report severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) contacted Kathleen Sebelius,  Secretary of Health and Human Services, asking for the  agency’s help in providing medical treatment, especially in Plaquemines Parish, a southern region where many fishermen live.

If you live near or know of someone who lives near the affected areas, protect yourself by following these steps:

1. Close all windows and stay inside as much as possible
2. Use air purifiers in any space where you spend a significant amount of time.
3. If you spend a lot of time in a boat or car consider getting a portable air purifier.
4. Wear a mask.

The fact of the matter is the oil spill in the Gulf is a horrible disaster that is going to affect the lives of millions. Not only is it going to kill all the of the wildlife in the area, it is also going to cause serious health problems for the people exposed. The full impact of the Gulf of Mexico deep water oil spill will not be known for many years, but there is no doubt that it will have a major impact on the health of our eco-systems and the surrounding population!

By Dr. Jack Epter – Natural Health Allergies, Chiropractic, and Nutrition

IgE is an indication of a hypersensitivity or true allergy. IgG is a secondary response usually associated with a previous exposure to an antigen.

IgE Food Allergies
The best known and well-studied form of food allergies is called a Type 1 immune reaction (classical food allergy, immediate-onset, IgE-mediated, atopic food allergies, etc.). Type 1 food allergies occur in approximately only 2-5% of the population. Type 1 food allergies occur mostly in children and are less frequent in adults. Usually occurring in the genetically predisposed individual, the immune system begins creating a specific type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) to certain foods. One side of the IgE antibody will recognize and bind to the allergic food. The other side of the antibody is attached to a specialized immune cell packed with histamine, called a Mast cell. Primed for action, the IgE antibody now only has to patiently wait for re-exposure to food allergens. When you eat the allergic food the next time, IgE antibodies hungrily latch onto the food. Instantaneously histamine and other allergy-related chemicals (chemical mediators) are released from the mast cell, quickly bringing on the unwelcome appearance of stomach cramping, diarrhea, skin rashes, hives, swelling, wheezing or the most dreaded of all Type 1 reactions, anaphylaxis.

IgG Delayed Onset Food Allergy
Type 3 immune reactions are much more commonly involved in food allergy than Type 1 reactions. In fact, 45-60% of the population has been reported as having delayed food allergies. Delayed food allergy or food sensitivity also involves the immune system. They occur when your immune system creates an overabundance of antibody Immunoglobulin G (IgG) to a specific food. The IgG antibodies, instead of attaching to Mast cells, like IgE antibodies in Type 1 allergies, bind directly to the food as it enters the bloodstream, forming food allergens bound to antibodies circulating in the bloodstream. The allergic symptoms in Type 3 immune reactions are delayed in onset – appearing anywhere from a couple of hours to several days after consuming allergic foods. Delayed food reactions may occur in any organ or tissue in the body and have been linked to either causing and/or provoking over 100 allergic symptoms and well over 150 different medical diseases. An estimated 60 to 80 million Americans suffer from clinically significant food allergies and most all of whom suffer delayed symptoms.

Symptoms of IgG Food Allergy may include:

• Abdominal Pains
• Aches and Pains
• Acne
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Autism
• Bloating
• Celiac Disease
• Chronic Fatigue
• Chronic Infections
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Eczema
• Enuresis (Bed Wetting)
• Fibromyalgia
• Fluid Retention
• GI Problems
• Hyperactivity
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Itching
• Lethargy
• Loss of Appetite
• Migraine
• Nausea
• PMS
• Psoriasis
• Recurrent Ear Infection
• Recurrent Sinus Infections
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Skin Rashes
• Stomach Cramps
• Tension
• Urticaria
• Weight Gain
• Weight Loss
• Wheezing

Food Allergies don’t cause Everything, BUT Food Allergies CAN cause ANYTHING!

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reports this month on a study showing peanut allergies in American children have more than tripled over 11 years, from 1997 to 2008. Peanut allergies are one of the few allergies that children do not grow out of, and are also one of the most dangerous.

“Our research shows that more than 3 million Americans report peanut and or tree nut allergies, representing a significant health burden,” researcher Scott Sicherer, MD, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City says in the news release. “The data also emphasize the importance of developing better prevention and treatment strategies.”

Its increase could be attributable to the “hygiene hypothesis” — the idea that less exposure to allergens and bacteria in childhood leave the immune system underdeveloped and vulnerable, the researchers speculated.

Or it could be the timing of when the food is introduced, or how the food is prepared, the researchers said. Roasted peanuts, for instance, have increased allergenicity because cooking changes the nature of the proteins in the nut.

This increase in allergic response is despite the American Academy of Pediatrics’ original recommendation of delaying a child’s introduction to peanuts until the age of three, which was later rescinded in January 2008.  They now recommend that solid foods not be introduced before four to six months of age, but that the timing of introducing common allergens (such as dairy, eggs, and nuts) is no longer believed to have an impact on a child’s later probability of developing allergic diseases.  In fact, a study involving Jewish children in the United Kingdom and Israel found that the Israeli children who were exposed to peanuts frequently during infancy were 10 times LESS likely to develop a peanut allergy than their UK counterparts.

“The most obvious difference in the diet of infants in both populations occurs in the introduction of peanut. Israeli infants are introduced to peanut during early weaning and continue to eat peanut more frequently and in higher amounts than UK infants, who avoid peanut, as per Department of Health recommendations.  The observed differences in Peanut Allergies between the UK and Israel are unlikely to be explained by genetic differences. Our findings raise the question of whether early and frequent ingestion of high-dose peanut protein during infancy might prevent the development of Peanut Allergies through tolerance induction. Paradoxically, past recommendations in the United States and current recommendations in the UK and Australia might be promoting the development of Peanut Allergies and could explain the continued increase in the prevalence of Peanut Allergies observed in these countries.”

Food allergies such as nut allergies are on the rise and have become a significant health burden.  There are many alternative and holistic options for dealing with allergies such as a peanut allergy.  Contact a BioVeda Health and Wellness Center near you to learn more.

- By Dr. Craig Burns, D.C.  A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center

Time to rethink our use of common household chemicals!

A chemical called 1,4-dichlorobenzene, or 1,4-DCB, could harm your lungs, and at the very least trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.

It is found in air fresheners, toilet deodorizers, and mothballs, and is present in the blood of nearly all Americans. 1,4-DCB is the chemical that gives mothballs their distinctive smell.

The finding came as part of a National Institutes of Health study that looked at 11 household chemicals. All 11 chemicals are emitted as gasses by common household products. 1,4-DCB was the only chemical in the study which was linked to lung damage.

Those who had the highest amounts of the chemical in their blood showed diminished lung function, which could be serious for those with asthma or other lung problems. Reduced lung function is also a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Air fresheners have been linked to cancer in the past, and this new study may demonstrate one reason why. It really is quite amazing that this chemical found in air fresheners, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, is present in the blood of 96 percent of Americans.

This is especially alarming as this toxic chemical has been associated with so many health problems. In general you want to avoid having any benzene derivative chemicals in your body as they have very similar toxic side effects.

It’s best to avoid using any chemicals in your home. However, that is a nearly impossible achievement in this day and age. What you can do, however, is limit your exposure as much as possible.

Artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances can pollute the air you are breathing, with 1,4-DCB and other chemicals. If you are using air fresheners because you like the scent, therapeutic essential oils are an excellent and safe alternative. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg. A person can significantly improve their health by rethinking their use of typical household chemicals… the possibilities are endless.

NOTE: Eliminating your use of air fresheners is just one of the many ways you can reduce your body’s CHEMICAL BURDEN (exposure to chemicals that are harmful to your health). You may never have thought that air fresheners could be unhealthy, but now you know.

To read another great article about chemicals in the home click here!

-By Dr. Craig Burns, A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center in Centennial

Wish you could eliminate your seasonal allergy symptoms once and for all? Maybe the actual CAUSE is your missing link…

There are many reasons why people have seasonal allergy symptoms, but perhaps the most common of all is the substance association stress response. The substance association stress response is what takes place when a person eats, inhales, or absorbs something that they are hypersensitive to, i.e. allergic to. It is the trigger that initiates a cascade of events that inevitably leads to troublesome symptoms. It is the defining difference between the person that is “OK” during seasonal changes and the person that is “NOT OK”. Whatever you might be hypersensitive to, pollen or grass – you name it, is not the real problem. Instead it is the abnormal way in which your body “reacts” to the substance.

The substance association stress response is a neurological event that is orchestrated by the central nervous system, specifically the autonomic nervous system. To put it simply, it is a faulty wiring and timing issue within the body itself that if left uncorrected will always lead to the same outcome, i.e. seasonal allergies, symptoms and misery. To put it another way, it is an abnormal reflex response that the body has when it comes into contact with a particular chemical or substance.

Remember when you first touched something hot as a child and jerked your hand away? Probably not, but you do know the theory behind how your body learned to develop reflexes or habits that protect you. You also know that these reflexes eventually become unconscious and automatic. Well, interestingly enough, your body can acquire bad reflexes too. In short, the substance association stress response is a great example of an abnormal, unhealthy reflex.

What if you could break that reflex and establish a new one, a healthier reflex to seasonal allergies like trees, grass, and pollen – you name it! What if you could break the reflex that makes your body react to something that many other people do not react to? What if you could go from being “NOT OK” to being “OK” during seasonal changes like other people are? Would that be a better life, a more enjoyable life? You bet it would!!

What Should a Person With Seasonal Allergy and Asthma Symptoms Do?

To put it simply, stop treating the symptoms as if they are the condition. Try and find the true underlying cause of the condition, and fix it once and for all. Then and only then will your body be free from the substance association stress response, and thus be symptom free. Remember, reflexes and habits both good and bad can be easily built and easily broken. The key is finding the right doctor to help you do just that.

In my opinion, nearly every seasonal allergy and asthma patient has 2 choices:

1. To learn to live with their condition or to rely on medications to manage symptoms, thus leaving the bodily dysfunction to worsen with time.
2. Or, to learn more about their body, to improve it for the sake of their future well being and allow it to work as it was designed to.

Contact a BioVeda Health and Wellness Center near you to find out how you can alleviate your seasonal allergy related symptoms!

- Guest Columnist, Liz Hopwood, BioVeda Health and Wellness Center

Do you have itchy, red, watery eyes or a stuffy nose? It’s allergy season again and most likely you or someone you know has allergies. This is something I personally have to deal with each year.  I love spring time and being outdoors but pollen drives me back inside when least desired.  Our immune system is in overdrive and what we are really suffering from is hay fever!  Hay fever usually refers to allergic reactions to outdoor airborne materials such as pollens and molds.  Hay Fever is caused by many different types of pollen. In this article we are going to discuss three of the most common types: Ragweed, Grass, and Birch.

Allergy problems typically begin midsummer when the pollen grains are released by mature flowers. The release of pollen is said to be the densest in rural areas right after dawn.  In urban areas, this peak is reached between 10am-3pm. The pollen grains have a capacity to travel great distances and have been found 400 miles out in the ocean.

Researchers are finding that vegetables and fruits contain the very same proteins as tree, grass and weed pollen, which are called profilins. When a child or adult eats an offending food, the body’s immune system responds as if it were actually ingesting pollen.

Ragweed grows throughout the United States and prefers dry, sandy soils located. Symptoms include eye irritation, runny nose, stuffy nose, puffy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose and throat. For those with severe allergies, asthma attacks, chronic sinusitis, headaches and impaired sleep are symptoms. If you are allergic to ragweed, you could also have reactions to cantaloupe, banana, sunflower seeds, zucchini and cucumber.

Grass pollen allergies are more difficult to determine. Some of the symptoms of grass allergy are: breathing disorders, sneezing, congestion, constant dry cough, sore throat. If you have a grass allergy you could also have reactions to peaches, celery, melons, tomatoes and oranges.

Birch trees release pollen between March and May each year. If you have hay fever you will most likely experience the worst symptoms in April. Symptoms include eye irritation, runny nose, stuffy nose, puffy eyes, sneezing, and inflamed, itchy nose and throat. If you have severe allergies you could experience , asthma attacks, chronic sinusitis, headaches and impaired sleep are symptoms. If you are allergic to birch trees you could also have reactions to apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, kiwi, carrots, celery, potatoes, peppers, parsley, coriander, walnuts, almonds, walnuts.

Who wants to stay inside during the most beautiful time of the year? I certainly do not!   BioVeda Health and Wellness Center can help. Contact a BioVeda Health and Wellness Center near you to learn how the BAX 3000 and the BAX AURA can help you or someone you love during hay fever and pollen season!  You could be back outside and enjoying the beautiful weather!