- by Dr. Eric Herman, D.C. BioVeda Health & Wellness Center of Bethlehem

What causes allergies and chemical sensitivities?
Over the last decade, important breakthroughs have occurred in the identification and treatment of allergies. Dr. Robert Gardner, Ph.D. professor of nutrition at Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah), discovered that specific key chemical agents cause allergic reactions including hayfever. These naturally occurring chemical agents called “phenolic” (aromatic) compounds, are regularly found throughout our environment in thousands of items including most foods, pollen and chemicals.

What is the relationship between allergies and asthma?
Many forms of asthma are caused by allergic reactions from both airborne phenolic compounds and those found in foods. Asthmatic individuals can be helped in the same way as others suffering from allergies. Airborne phenolic compounds are often found in pollen, tobacco smoke, house dust, air pollution, kapok, wool, feathers, animal hair or dander, building materials, furniture stuffing, cottonseed, and chemical odors. Some examples of foods that are most likely to be factors associated with asthma are those eaten daily such as wheat, eggs, chocolate, corn, peanut butter, citrus fruits, potatoes and tomatoes. We have helped many people suffering from asthma by first testing for those phenolics and other agents that can cause or contribute to asthma. We then screen and treat allergies, if indicated, utilizing our clinics’ painless techniques. This treatment also helps strengthen the immune system.

Do I have to restrict my diet to avoid allergies?
Not usually. Since phenolics are found in so many foods and other materials, it would be virtually impossible through dietary restrictions to avoid the phenolics causing the reactions. For instance, one of the phenolics, gallic acid, occurs in about 70% of the foods we eat! Restricting a persons diet or giving injections of whole food extracts in an attempt to avoid this compound seems impractical in light of these discoveries.

However, there is a small, select group of people that are critically sensitive to some foods and should still avoid those items. These people require special therapeutic programs and instructions.

Why should I have allergies and feel tired even if I eat only “good foods”?
The fact that a person eats only “good foods” or even “health foods” may have little to do with whether or not they suffer from allergies. Phenolic compounds occur in “good” foods as well as those items commonly thought of as “junk” foods.
The solution is to strengthen the body’s immune system by neutralizing and desensitizing phenolic compounds within the foods, NOT by avoiding the foods themselves!

What are some of the symptoms of allergies?
Allergies affect people in differing degrees. In fact, many people suffer the effects of allergies but often don’t recognize that their problems are related to an allergy! In the course of treating allergies, the patient is often quickly benefitted by being relieved of symptoms (such as fatigue) that was not originally associated with the allergy. For example, Dr. Abram Ber, M.D. has found that sensitivity to gallic acid contributes to chronic lower back pain, nasal congestion and fatigue.
Furthermore, many other problems such as depression, bedwetting, hayfever, headaches, stomach and intestinal disorders and skin problems have been helped by phenolic neutralization.
Remember, the body is a very complex system. Relief from a stressful condition (such as an allergy) can very easily relieve stress in other parts of the body. In severe cases, it is like removing a crushing pressure from the body which has been held in a “vice-grip” for years!

Are there ways I can tell if I or someone in my family, especially my child. has an allergy?
Many of the symptoms of allergies in children are similar to allergies in adults. Doris J. Rapp, M.D. has reported that some children with allergies show black, blue or red circles under the eyes (called allergic shiners) which appear after a person gets near or eats something to which they are allergic. Another clue is bags under the eyes. Some children have puffiness directly below the eyes and others also have little bags below the outer edge of each eye. Deep creases or wrinkles under the eyes are typical of persons with an allergy. [9] Allergies to foods and chemicals are also linked to learning disabilities, hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children (and adults).

How can allergies be treated painlessly?
Physicians using the homeopathic phenolic neutralization and desensitization techniques utilize advances in technology to help hundreds of people overcome their allergy problems. The use of painless, non-injection methods of diagnosing and treating allergies is the most effective method we have personally witnessed.

These methods have been especially welcomed by parents with children who have suffered from a fear of needles and the discomfort of skin reactions, nausea and other unpleasant reactions caused by conventional provocative allergy testing.

Symptoms of Phenol Sensitivity
Some typical symptoms indicating your child may have a phenol problem are [not all of these need be present]: dark circles under the eyes, red face/ears, diarrhea, hyperactivity, aggression, headache, head banging or other self-injury, inappropriate laughter, difficulty falling asleep at night, and night waking for several hours. The typical adult symptom of phenol intolerance is chronic fatigue syndrome, which is the opposite symptom that most children have, altho some children do present as always tired/lethargic, instead of hyper with sleep and other issues.

List of High Phenol Foods
Here is a short list of high phenol foods from Karen Seroussi’s book. They are food dyes, tomatoes, apples, peanuts, bananas, oranges, cocoa, red grapes, colored fruits, and milk.

Here is the Feingold list of highly phenolic/high salicylate foods: toiletries, cleaning supplies, art supplies — that has any of the following ingredients: Synthetic/artificial colors and flavors [for example, FD&C colors, vanillin], BHA, BHT, TBHQ, [all the preceding are made from or related to petroleum], Natural Flavoring (may contain salicylate), Natural Coloring (may contain salicylate), Aspirin and products containing aspirin or salicylic acid, Salicylates, Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Berries (all), Cherries, Chili powder, Cider & cider vinegar (apples), Cloves, Coffee, Cucumbers & pickles, Currants, Grapes & raisins, Nectarines, Oranges, Paprika, Peaches, Peppers (bell & chili), Plums, Prunes, Tangerines, Tea, Tomatoes, Wine & wine vinegar (grapes), Oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate). Other items to consider are perfumes and fragrances, nitrites and nitrates, monosodium glutamate [MSG], Hydrolized Vegetable Protein [may contain MSG], sulfites/sulfiting agents, benzoates, and corn syrup [made from hydrogen sulfide + corn starch and many other added chemicals].

Advanced Treatment
Allergies are an error! The body is reacting inappropriately to a completely harmless substance, food or stimuli. STRESSORS are substances, foods or stimuli that place STRESS upon your nervous system.

Many of these STRESSORS can cause symptoms of allergies and sensitivities!

Your body can be retrained to accept these STRESSORS by no longer perceiving them as a threat. We do not treat and chase the symptoms, rather we get to the core of the problem…the nervous system’s inappropriate response to these STRESSORS. “We treat the person, not the condition”  Learn more:  Contact a BioVeda Health & Wellness Center near you!

-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!

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to  be ”National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” It’s a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time to educate your patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases. 

Each year, AAFA asks the President of the United States to officially designate May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month. We make it easy for you to join in the activities by inviting you to use AAFA materials and tools to bring healthy messages to work, school and home.

Get an Awareness Month Planning Kit from the EPA.

Spring Allergy Capital Rankings for 2010

There is no place safe from allergies in America, and some cities are more problematic than others. The Allergy Capitals is an annual research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to identify “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies” in the spring and fall seasons. This year Knoxville, TN, has risen to the top. Visit to see where over 100 cities are on the list this year.

The rankings are based on scientific analysis of 3 factors for the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. The data measured and compared each year includes:

• Pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores)*
• Number of allergy medications used per patient
• Number of allergy specialists per patient

Top 5 Spring Allergy Capitals for 2010:

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Louisville, KY
3. Chattanooga, TN
4. Dayton, OH
5. Charlotte, NC

Asthma Capital Rankings for 2010

No city is free from asthma triggers, and some cities are more challenging places to live than others. This year, Richmond, VA, has been named the top “Asthma Capital” in our annual ranking of “the 100 most challenging places to live with asthma.” Visit www.AsthmaCapitals.com to see where over 100 cities are on the list this year.

- 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!

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

Studies show that Americans are frustrated and concerned about the accelerating allergy epidemic.  As the allergy season begins its approach, long standing allergy sufferers begin to wonder, “Will my symptoms be worse this year than they were last year?”

A new survey shows that 60% of spring time allergy sufferers are having very limited success in treating their itchy eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, and congestion problems. In fact, most people with spring time allergies will be forced to miss work due to the severity of seasonal symptoms. In addition, symptoms seem to be increasing year after year despite the efforts of Western Medicine.

Perhaps, the question we really must be asking is, “What can we do differently to make this year better than the last?”   What is everyone else doing, and does it work?

The results showed avoidance was the most popular type of treatment tried (74%), followed by over-the-counter medicines (70%) and prescription drugs (59%). Survey correspondents claimed that none of the main strategies for controlling symptoms were as effective as they hoped for; including over-the-counter medications, prescription medication and avoidance strategies.

Basically, everyone is trying the Western Medical Approach, but with very little success. This approach is so widely advertised and promoted by the AMA, that people keep trying the same thing, expecting a different result. Remember, Albert Einstein referred to this way of thinking and behaving as “insanity”! Isn’t it time dor a different approach? As the number of people that suffer from allergy and asthma increases year after year, one must wonder… isn’t it time for a different approach?

People with seasonal allergies would be wise to consider the following questions:

1. Do we really want to go through life avoiding pollen, grass, trees, etc – is that really how we are meant to live?
2. Do we feel comfortable with the idea of taking allergy medications for the rest of our lives with no real end in sight?
3. Is avoiding a problem any kind of real solution?
4. Can we ever really “cure a problem” if we never focus on the actual cause of the problem?
5. What are the side effects and unforeseen consequences of a life long subscription to the Western Medical approach?
6. And, is there a better way?

If you have allergies and want to find your way out of the Western Medical maze and find permanent relief once and for all contact us.

- by Dr. Craig Burns, BioVeda Health and Wellness Center of East Centennial

Allergies, Asthma and Food Sensitivities are on the rise.    Read more to discover why food sensitivities lead to allergy disorders, skin conditions and digestive symptoms.  Discover an exciting new holistic therapy!

Question: Why are the statistics for allergies and asthma getting worse every year?  Why do more kids than ever before have allergies?

Answer: The #1 reason for increased rates of allergies and asthma is that more people than ever before are becoming FOOD SENSITIVE, i.e. they are developing “unknown” food sensitivities to otherwise harmless foods.

Question: Why are people (and parents) so quick to accept that allergy and asthma symptoms are something they will have to “learn to live with”?

Answer: Because they don’t know that there are highly effective holistic solutions to detecting and correcting these troublesome food sensitivities.

Food Sensitivity Testing and Treatment:  A Holistic Breakthrough with Unbeatable Results
Imagine having a stomach ache or upset tummy after eating a seemingly harmless food like eggs or fruit.  Imagine not being able to eat what you like, when you like because you are afraid of the consequences.  Imagine not knowing what causes your digestive trouble and having to tip toe through life hoping what you put into your mouth is not going to “react” later. This is how many people live their lives.  And guess what… they have come to accept it!  People must learn to live with such troublesome issues when they and their doctors fail to recognize the underlying cause of the problem.  Worse yet, they are forced to rely on Pepto-Bismol, Tums, Ibuprofen, and other offending substances that offer a long term side effect that is worse than the original condition itself, like osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, and kidney dysfunction. So, where does it all end?  What is the solution to such a common problem that is getting worse year by year?  Rest assured the answer will never be found unless we decide that there must be another way, a better way to treating these conditions.

The True Underlying Cause of Many Digestive Symptoms
There are many reasons why people have digestive problems, 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 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” eating eggs and the person that is “NOT OK” eating eggs.  Whatever you might be hypersensitive to, eggs – 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 led to the same outcome, i.e. 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 unhealthy reflex.  And, as many people know it can be a bad, abnormal, unnecessary, untimely reflex at that. What if you could break that reflex and establish a new one, a healthier reflex to eggs, fruit – 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” with certain foods, chemicals and substances to being “OK” with them like other people are?  Would that be a better life, a more enjoyable life?  You bet it would!!

Can’t I Just Use an Avoidance or Elimination Strategy?
You could, but would that be the best thing for you to do?  If you have an obvious abnormality in the way your central nervous system works – why wouldn’t you want to fix it?  The truth is allergy symptoms and the substance association stress responses are just the tip of the ice burg.  They are a physical manifestation of an underlying problem within your central nervous system.  Your central nervous system is like your body’s super computer.  You don’t want ANY underlying problems, glitches, malfunctions, etc.  The result of an abnormally functioning nervous system is always dysfunction and dis-ease.  By the same token, the result of a healthy well functioning nervous system is health without the presence of symptoms.

Can Underlying Food Allergies Cause Other Allergy Disorders?
Yes.  It is well accepted that underlying food allergies may in fact drive other allergic disorders like asthma, skin conditions, seasonal allergies, etc.  The more substance association stress responses a person has the greater the symptoms and condition.  For instance, a person could have several “unknown food hypersensitivities” that magnify or fuel the one “known” allergy. It works like this.  Your central nervous system can only handle so much stress before it crashes like a computer and produces symptoms.  The more “unknown” sensitivities you have the more neurological stress you ask your body to deal with on a regular basis.  In a way your body remains on edge or close to a tipping point, and you don’t even know it.  So when that cat enters the room, or the seasons change, or that food is consumed – your central nervous system and immune system crash and you have an allergic reaction. So then, is the real problem what you see, the tip of the iceberg?  Or is the real problem what goes unseen, what lies beneath the surface?  Could it be that allergy and asthma symptoms are getting worse year after year because we are only focusing on what we see on the surface, paying no attention to the true underlying cause of the condition?  Statistics and simple logic, as described above, would suggest so.

What Should a Person With 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 allergy and asthma patient has 2 choices:

1. To learn to live with their condition and rely on man made 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 God designed it to.

If you or someone you know has allergy or asthma symptoms, we may be able to help. Contact us to see if you are a candidate for an exciting new therapy – a holistic therapy that is offering both hope and results to families across the nation. Long lasting relief and optimal health may finally be within your reach!

Seasonal Allergies and Asthma are a concern for many as we approach Spring pollen season where environmental allergens are abundant. However pollen allergies may not be the only thing we need to worry about. Chemical weed killers, pesticides, and other lawn care products are a menace to the earth and detrimental to our health. Many of the symptoms we attribute to seasonal allergies and asthma could be due to a chemical sensitivity to the chemicals lurking in our yards, being tracked into our homes and absorbed into our foods.

Disturbing Facts About Pesticide (Over)Use
Americans dump approximately seventy million tons of fertilizer and seventy to ninety million pounds of pesticides on their lawns each year. 40-60% of nitrogen from fertilizer runs off or leaches away, ending up in ground or surface water, including wells.  60-70 million birds die from pesticide poisoning each year in the US alone.  If birds are dying, pesticides must be toxic to humans on some level!

Weed Killers as Endocrine Disrupters
A study released and reported on CNN this week, “Pesticide inhibits frogs’ sex lives“, finds that a common herbicide, atrazine, can emasculate male frogs and turn some into females, causing amphibian declines around the world. The scientists involved in the study believe that the pesticide interferes with endocrine hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. The effect of atrazine on humans is still not known, however it could pose a risk to reproductive health.  The weed killer Atrazine was banned by the European Union in 2004, because it was showing up harmful levels in drinking water.

Pesticides and Asthma
BeyondPesticides.org whose mission is to rid the world of toxic pesticides, explores the connection between pesticide use and asthma in their article, “Asthma, Pesticides and Children“,

“Although no single study can conclusively prove that a certain pesticide causes asthma, numerous studies have found compelling evidence that exposure to pesticides is correlated with higher rates of asthma. One research focus has been on farmers and pesticide applicators, groups typically exposed to higher levels of pesticides than the average population. Many studies have shown that this population has higher rates of asthma and other respiratory problems due to their use of pesticides. Yet occupational pesticide exposure is only one piece of the puzzle—household and community exposure to pesticides can also lead to respiratory problems.

An early study done in the 1960s in Hawaii found that frequent household use of insecticides is correlated with an increased prevalence of respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic bronchitis. The majority of the pesticides used were bug sprays for mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches.

A landmark study done in 2004 shows that not only do environmental exposures lead to above-average asthma rates among children, but that timing of exposure is crucial. The researchers studied over 4000 school-aged children in California and discovered that children exposed to herbicides during their first year of life are four and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with asthma before the age of five; toddlers exposed to insecticides are more than twice as likely to get asthma. This study further clarifies the fact that young infants and toddlers are most susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides on the respiratory system.”

Holistic Approach to Lawn Care!
Much like BioVeda Health and Wellness Centers holistic approach to health care, natural and organic lawn care takes a holistic, preventative view rather than reacting to various problems using chemical pesticides or herbicides. By building healthy soil many of the problems with lawns are solved, eliminating the need for poisons and harsh reactionary measures. So, before you reach for toxic herbicides and pesticides, consider some of the following organic methods for killing weeds and overall yard maintenance:

• Vinegar – a powerful, safe alternative to chemical herbicides, vinegar requires precise application as it will kill grass and other plants.  Make sure you apply directly to the base of the weed or paint it on with a brush.  You may need to apply several times to get the job done.
• Corn Gluten – A nontoxic byproduct of corn processing, corn gluten kills weed seedlings within days of application. It also adds nitrogen to your soil. Just one application, before weeds emerge, reduced weed survival by 60%, according to research at Iowa State University. After several years, this method provides as much as 90% weed control.
• Time-released, Water Insoluble Nitrogen Fertilizer - These fertilizers are less likely to burn your lawn with excess nitrogen, and slow-release allows the roots to absorb the nutrients as needed. In most instances, choose fertilizers containing at least 35% – 50% of their nitrogen supply in the “slow-release” form, such as sulfur-coated urea, methylene urea or various natural organic products. With fast-acting fertilizers, some nutrients are washed away with watering or rain, and the wasted fertilizer pollutes ground water supplies.

Find out more!

Pesticide Look-up on Wikipedia

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pesticides

Journal of American Medical Association – Acute Illness Associated with Pesticide Exposure in Schools

- by Jennifer, Guest Columnist

The Holidays are fast approaching, and it’s that time of year again… my sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose are in full effect.  From the burning of artificially scented candles to the smell of real Christmas trees, I feel like my sinuses are being assaulted at every turn.  I have suffered from allergies and asthma since I was a little girl, and the holidays have always been a difficult time of year for me.  If you add seasonal colds and flu to my allergies and asthma, it adds up to headaches and chronic fatigue, not to mention a constant feeling of stress.

To keep the holidays from triggering my asthma and allergies, we use an artificial Christmas tree in our home.  If you must have a live evergreen tree, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation offers the following tips:

If a live evergreen tree is a tradition you cannot live without, the following tips should help make this year’s tree a treasure rather than trouble.

• Wipe the trunk thoroughly with a solution of luke warm water and diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 20 parts water) to eliminate any mold.
• Some evergreens, particularly junipers and cedar, may be pollinating even in winter look for a yellowish tinge on the trunk and needles.
• Before bringing the tree inside, use a leaf blower (in a well-ventilated area away from the house or garage) to remove visible pollen grains.

We steer clear of spray-on snow and pine scented oils that some families use to make their artificial tree more life-like, as they can trigger asthma and allergies for many sufferers.  We avoid holiday flower arrangements and all artificial scents.  If I want my house to smell like cookies, we bake homemade, all natural chocolate chip cookies, rather than burning a scented candle or potpourri.  I avoid outdoor activities that may include a bon fire – no roasting marshmallows for me!  Of course, I try to get plenty of rest, exercise, and take a multi-vitamin to keep my immune system in the best shape possible.

Being so vigilant about my allergies and asthma leaves me feeling like I’m missing out on the joys of the season, so this year I’m asking Santa for something different.   I’m giving BAX 3000 Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy by BioVeda Technologies a try.  I’m hoping next Christmas I’ll be thinking about the sights, sounds, and scents of the season rather than the allergies, asthma, and headaches they bring with them!  Why not give yourself or your loved one the gift of wellness this season?  Contact BioVeda today!

(as reported by WebMD)

No. 1: St. Louis, MO
The Gateway Arch is not the only thing in the air in St. Louis. High pollen counts, poor air quality, the lack of a smoking ban in all public places, and above average use of asthma medications contribute to big asthma issues — and its ranking as the worst city for asthma suffers in America, according to the AAFA. That’s a leap from the No. 9 spot it held in 2008.

No. 2: Milwaukee, WI
Asthma problems are brewing in this Lake Michigan city. Milwaukee bubbled up from the No. 3 spot in 2008 to second place this year. The town gets low marks for air quality and is worse than the national average for its high use of “rescue” asthma medications. The lack of a smoking ban in all public places and a high poverty rate also contribute.

No. 3: Birmingham, AL
Birmingham’s poor air quality, its public smoking policies, and heavy use of controller medications by asthma suffers contribute to its ranking as one of the worst cities for asthma in the U.S. It jumped to No. 3, from No. 13 in 2008.

No. 4: Chattanooga, TN
This town may be a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s not so amiable for asthma suffers. Poor air quality and above average use of controller medications helped propel Chattanooga from the No. 16 spot in 2008 to its current ranking at No. 4.

No. 5: Charlotte, NC
The population isn’t the only thing on the rise in the Queen City. Its ranking on the “Asthma Capitals” list is, too. It’s up from No. 7 in 2008. High pollen counts, poor air quality, and public smoking policies are among the reasons they make the top 5.

No. 6: Memphis, TN
This Mississippi river town has many asthma sufferers singing the blues. While Memphis skyrocketed from the No. 30 spot in 2007 to No. 5 in 2008, they fell one spot to No. 6 this year. Public smoking policies, poor air quality, and high poverty rates continue to be problematic. While asthma doesn’t discriminate based on socio-economic status, people living in poverty often have less access to health care and medications needed to manage their condition.

No. 7: Knoxville, TN
After being ranked by the AAFA as the worst asthma city in America three times in five years, Knoxville is showing signs of improvement. However, they’re still vexed by poor air quality, the lack of a smoking ban in all public places, and the above average usage of asthma medications.

No. 8: McAllen, TX
If “everything is big in Texas” then McAllen’s asthma problems are no exception. A worse than average pollen score, poverty rate, and a lack of “100% public smoke-free laws” contribute to its ranking as one of the worst cities for asthma in the U.S. It jumped to No. 8, from No. 28 in 2008.

No. 9: Atlanta, GA
Southern hospitality? While Atlanta wasn’t so hospitable for asthma sufferers this past year, things are continuing to improve. Atlanta edged its way down the list again this year, from its No. 1 spot in 2007 and its No. 4 spot in 2008.

No. 10: Little Rock, AR
While this capital city may feature scenic parks and river walks, there’s nothing pretty about the asthma picture here. It comes in at No. 10 on the list of “worst” asthma cities. Twelve factors were used to formulate the list, including asthma prevalence, pollen scores, air quality, poverty levels, and asthma death rates. “Each factor is given a weighted value by medical and research experts according to its effect on ‘quality of life’ for asthma patients,” says the AAFA.

The good news? Many of the cities listed have a BioVeda Health & Wellness Center nearby. Simply submit your information as requested to be contacted by a doctor in your area and finally find some relief!