Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition

 

Newsletter #22 ------ Natural approach to Allergies

Allergy involves a series of events triggering the release of histamine in your body. Conventional doctors prescribe drugs like Seldane and Hismanal to mask your symptoms but they have significant negative side effects. There are natural alternatives that can block histamine, boost your immune system and make you feel better.

First, identify the underlying cause of your allergy. The most common offenders are airborne allergens such as dander from household pets, dust, pollen, mold, smoke, synthetic perfumes and strong odors. Most long-term respiratory problems are associated with undetected food allergies as well. The culprits are dairy products, wheat, eggs, citrus, corn, peanut butter, shell fish, food additives, preservatives and dyes (Esp. tartrazine or yellow dye no.5). A modified elimination diet usually isolates the problem food. For one week, eliminate as many of these foods as you wish from your diet. Then, every other day, reintroduce one food back into your diet. A two-day wait before reintroducing the next food gives your system time to react to the allergen and cause symptoms-mucus buildup, difficulty breathing. If you do notice sensitivity to a food, omit it from your diet for another week, then reintroduce it. If adverse reactions a second time this probably means that this food should be out of your diet altogether.  

Natural approach to Allergies

  1. The "core principles for optimal health" (Dr. Tsang's Newsletter #2 ) provides the foundation for prevention. Reduce stress, get plenty of rest, good nourishment and exercise.
  2. Drink two quarts of clean water daily and three quarts during allergy season. Your body releases histamine to stop water loss. If you give your body adequate amounts of water, less histamine will be released.
  3. Allergy-proof your home, car and workplace. Keep your car windows closed and your air conditioning running. Avoid yard work if you have hay fever or wear a mask or respirator while you are in the yard. Dust-proof your house (bed and couch). Use an allergy vacuum and install an air purifier. Keep your ventilation ducts and air-conditioning filters in your house and car clean and dry. Identify the triggering allergens and eliminate them.
  4. Decrease protein toward 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein. Excessive protein can irritate the immune system and keep it in a state of overreactivity.
  5. The protein in cow’s milk is a frequent offender. Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
  6. Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible as well as organic products made from wheat and soy. Citrus fruit contains quercetin and plenty of Vitamin C. Both are good natural remedy for allergy. Fresh squeezed citrus juice is preferable to store orange juice which contains too much sugar and other artificial ingredients not good for allergy sufferer.
  7. Elimination of white flour, refined sugar and any foods or medications containing chemicals (additives, preservatives and dyes).
    1. Magnesium: 400 - 800 mg per day. It's a natural antihistamine.
    2. Vitamin E 400IU and Selenium 200mcg to decrease your sensitivity to potential allergens.
    3. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC): 600 -1200mg/day. NAC is a natural expectorant which help thin mucus and loosen phlegm and bronchial secretions.
    4. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) 1000mg/day.
    5. Quercetin and bromelain: 250 to 500 mg of each daily. They combat allergies and inflammation.
  1. Take Resistance Support Formula (contains Siberian ginseng, Echinacea, Elderberry Powder, Goldenseal, Garlic, deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, Astragalus, Korean Ginseng, Bioflavonoids, Beta- Carotene, Lycopene, Reishi Mushroom and Lutein) to strengthen the immune system. Stinging Nettles spectacularly effective in controlling hay fever and summer pollen allergies.
  2. EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids): Take Omega 3 Fatty Acid for maximal EFAs' protection.
  3. Bioflavonoids: Grape seed extract and Green tea extract.
  4. Homeopathic Allergy Medicine Please read Newsletter#53
  5. Bee pollen & Bee Propolis: Not for people who is allergic to Bee.

Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)

Butterbur Extract (Petadolex) can relieve hayfever symptoms as effectively as antihistamines.

A Swiss and German study of 330 patients reported in the August 22, 2005 online issue of the journal Phytotherapy Research found that butterbur worked as well as the antihistamine fexofenadine (Allegra) for hayfever symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose and itching. Butterbur was also effective without causing drowsiness, a common side effect of antihistamines. A smaller study reported similar results in 2002. Some were given pills containing butterbur extract, another group received fexofenadine and a third group received a placebo. The leaves and roots of butterbur contain natural chemicals called petasines, which inhibit the body's production of leukotrienes, components of allergic reactions.

In a 2-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 186 people with intermittent allergic rhinitis, use of butterbur at a dose of three standardized tablets (150mg) daily reduced allergy symptoms as compared to placebo.

Another 2-week, double-blind study of 125 individuals with hay fever compared a standardized butterbur extract against the antihistamine drug certizine (Zyrtec). According to ratings by both doctors and patients, the two treatments proved about equally effective.

 

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Disclaimer

Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. He is not in any way try to replace your physician. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products.

 

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