There are many toxic indoor air environments needing our attention. Indoor air quality can be affected by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases (including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds) and particulates (dust, dirt, pollen). With all of these pollutants, it’s no wonder indoor air is becoming more of a health hazard than outdoor air.

These toxic environments affect our health with headaches, coughing, sneezing and trigger allergies and asthma. Since we spend 80 to 90 percent of our time indoors, poor indoor air quality in homes, offices, medical clinics, beauty salons, schools and hotels is a concern.  Simply being aware, and using our noses to monitor when indoor air quality is poor, is a good start.

Maintaining indoor air quality is a delicate process that can be affected by many variables. Indoor air pollution is caused by a long list of products and activities, including combustion sources, building materials made of pressed wood products, items containing pollutants like asbestos, cleaning products, improperly maintained central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices.

Additionally, when there isn’t an effective air change rate, (the rate indoor air is replaced or filtered in a defined space) indoor pollutant levels can increase. The volume of “changed” air required for proper indoor air quality is determined by the size and use of the space. The table below gives recommended air change rates (air changes per hour) in some common types of rooms and buildings:

Air Change Rates can be calculated with: n = 60 q / V

n = desired air change rate per hour

q = changed air flow through the room (Cubic Feet per Minute, cfm)

V = volume of the room (Cubic Feet)

If you have an air purifier delivering 265 cfm of air to your office measuring 20 ft. x 15 ft. with 8 ft. ceilings (2,400 cubic feet), the air change rate would be calculated as follows:

60 x 265 (cfm) / 2,400(volume of room) = 6.63 air changes per hour

The air change rate is managed through natural and/or mechanical ventilation. Natural ventilation occurs when air moves through opened doors and windows by wind or temperature differences. Mechanical ventilation occurs when air handling systems or air purifiers change the air. A proper air exchange rate is vital for maintaining healthy indoor air.

The air change rate is very important because indoor pollutants can add up and create unhealthy indoor air. With buildings being built air tight for energy efficiency, often the air change rate is insufficient. There are measures one can take to restore poor air quality:

• Control the source of the pollution: Eliminate individual sources of indoor air pollution. This is low cost and effective.
• Improve ventilation: Increase your air change rate through simple actions such as opening windows more often.
• Properly utilize and maintain air treatment equipment: A well designed and maintained HVAC system and individual air purifiers can maintain an effective air change rate to remove indoor pollutants.

Even with toxic indoor air we inhale everyday, having an effective air change rate will greatly improve indoor air quality and health of the occupants. Remember, a minimum of four air changes per hour for all indoor spaces is required for a healthy environment. The importance of a proper air change rate cannot be understated. Better indoor air makes us feel better, stay healthier and breathe easier.

References:

1. http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-change-rate-room-d_867.html

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_air_quality

Good indoor air quality is essential, especially for young children who breathe faster than adults–inhaling 50 percent more air per pound of body weight. Children and pets have many needs–food, water, exercise and love. But how often do you stop to think about what exactly your children and pets are breathing?

Like children, pets also suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. Even though indoor air is typically two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, few of us understand the health effects of poor indoor air quality. Little attention is paid to the quality of the indoor air in our homes, workplaces or schools. But there are some very good reasons we should be very concerned about the indoor air quality, for our children and pets.

The breathing zone for children and pets (less than two feet above ground) can be more contaminated than for adults (four to six feet) because many contaminants weigh more than air (mercury, pesticides, etc.). Children and pets spend more time breathing through their mouths, which also make them more susceptible to airborne contaminants. Remember that anything smaller than 2.5 microns is respirable, and may have negative health effects–a strand of human hair is 80 microns wide.

Getting a pet, moving to a new home, and having children, motivate us to improve our indoor air quality and control odors, but using air fresheners and or aerosols is a mistake. Global sales of air freshening products are on the rise, indicating we are not happy with our indoor air quality and want to improve it. But if consumers were more aware of the real impacts air freshening products have on indoor air quality and health, they would think twice.

Here’s the unvarnished truth: Air fresheners almost never “freshen” the air. They just mask odors, either with synthetic fragrance or by interfering with your ability to smell, by coating your nasal passages with an oil film or releasing a nerve-deadening agent. In rare cases, they will actually break down the offensive odor. What’s in them, and what’s the risk to children and pets?

Known toxic chemicals that can be found in air fresheners include camphor, phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances (which contain their own mix of toxic chemicals). These chemicals can cause symptoms like headaches, rashes, dizziness, migraines, asthma attacks, mental confusion, coughing and more. Some of the substances in air fresheners are linked to cancer or hormone disruption.

No two homes have exactly the same air quality issues and there’s no way to eliminate them all, but you can do many things to reduce your exposure to the worst culprits. Below are some air quality tips to consider what you, your children and pets are breathing:

•  Remove the source. Get rid of your air fresheners, toxic cleaners, etc. Use your nose to find sources of poor air quality.

•  Ventilate. Open your windows and get some fresh air in the house or office.

•  Keep the house clean to reduce allergy-causing agents like microscopic dust mites, animal dander and pollen.

•  Use exhaust fans, or open windows in the kitchen or bathroom areas when taking showers, cooking, or using the dish washer. Make sure clothes dryers are vented to the outdoors.

•  Many odorous chemicals/pollutants contain volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC’s come from many sources: cleaning agents, furnishings, pesticides, hobby materials, rugs, building materials, paints, etc. What might be off-gassing in your environment?

•  Take care when cleaning the litter boxes in your home, as the resulting airborne dust can be harmful. Brush pets often, and outside.

•  Use a high quality air purifier to remove, rather than mask the indoor air quality problems.

All of the above precautions will help improve your indoor air quality. We all love our children and pets and want to provide a healthy environment for them. Good food and water is essential, but never neglect the importance of indoor air quality.  Be careful with air freshening products, as adding chemicals to the air can create more health problems. We cannot control everything we breathe, but we can be proactive and maintain a non-toxic environment for our loved ones, which makes us all happier and healthier.

References:

1. www.wikkipedia.com

2. www.epa.gov

For more info, contact Catalytic PURE AIR LLC at (510) 277-5268.

Allergy aggravating pollen is tough this time of year. With the strong winds of the Sierra Nevada and high desert, pollen is spread far and wide with pollen counts varying throughout the day. Weed, tree and grass particles can get in the air and easily travel into the home. Allergies and asthma can flair up, causing discomfort, which sends us reaching for a solution from the pharmacy or medicine cabinet.

Consumers spend nearly $18 billion annually on asthma and allergy medications. But, they also spend more than $20 billion on non-medical consumer products marketed for people with asthma and allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

More than half of Americans test positive when exposed to one or more allergens, according to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. More than half of all homes in the U.S. have at least six detectable allergens in the air, such as cat and dog dander, dust mites, pollen or mold spores. As the weather warms, more allergens are present in the air. Reducing the amount of allergens in your home can help improve indoor air quality and reduce your exposure to allergy triggers.

Dust is a primary cause of allergies; and its particles can contain a witches-brew of irritants, such as insect droppings, pet dander, skin particles, food particles, mold spores and bacteria. Obviously, it is very difficult to avoid airborne triggers without sealing yourself into a bubble. But there are many ways to help reduce the impact of spring-induced allergies and minimize the medicines we take.

Here are a few simple non-toxic, no drugs, no shots and natural tips to get you feeling better:

• Shoes off: Take your shoes off before you enter the house, which leaves dirt, dust and particulate outside. Your house stays cleaner and your feet feel better.

• Dust frequently: If you do it, be certain to cover your mouth and nose with an inexpensive, disposable mask that permits you to breathe, but minimizes the inhalation of dust particles. Dust with damp paper towels (not old rags) and do not reuse.

• Keep Pets Clean: Dogs and cats easily bring pollen and mold particles inside. When reentering the house, give those paws a wipe with a damp paper towel, along with the coat’s surface. While this is somewhat helpful, it is important to groom your pet regularly during allergy season.

• Change your HVAC Filters: HVAC filters are dirty from a long winter. Check your HVAC filters more often and change them every three months. Turning on the air conditioning with dirty filters can send particulate all around your house.

• Keep your windows and doors closed: Open windows during high winds can really load your house with tons of pollen and particulate.

• Careful with your Spring Cleaning: Be aware of the cleaning products you are using for your spring cleaning. Often these cleaning products are toxic and can add allergy and asthma triggers the household environment. Read labels carefully.

• Use a portable air purifier: Effective placement and a good quality air purifier can provide excellent relief from allergy and asthma symptoms. An air purifier can remove the allergy triggers from the air, reducing the need for medicines. Your house is cleaner.

We all want to enjoy this time of year, but it is impossible to control the outdoor environment. However, we can do many cost effective things in our home to make it as allergen free as possible. This will minimize our need for medicines and give us a place to come home to a healthy environment, with good quality air.

References:

1. www.aafa.org

2. http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=2825

For more info, contact Catalytic PURE AIR LLC at (510) 277-5268.

NAET has been described in the book Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide” (2nd edition), as “one of the fastest-growing new therapies in the field of alternative medicine”.

NAET, known as Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique, was developed in 1983 by Dr. Devi Nambudripad, D.C., L.Ac., R.N., Ph.D (Acu). The article in Alternative Medicine (pages 351-357) begins with her quote:

“There is hardly any human disease or condition in which allergic factors are not involved on some level. They can affect any portion of the body and allergic responses can have many variations”.

Over 40 million Americans are known to suffer from allergies of some sort, but Dr. Nambudripad believes there are another 50 million that suffer from hidden allergies of which they are unaware, and that these are contributing to their health problems. These health conditions can include anxiety, autism, digestive problems, pain, asthma, headaches, ADD, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Fibromyalgia, among many more.

If your curiosity has been peaked, I highly recommend you read her foundational work “Say Goodbye to Illness”. Other titles in the series include “Say Goodbye to Allergies”, “Say Goodbye to Asthma”,  “Say Goodbye to Autism”, “Say Goodbye to Environmental Sensitivities”…  In all, she has published 9 books with a Spanish version available. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak.

Dr. Devi Nambudripad’s simple definition of an allergy is as follows: “An allergy is an adverse physical, physiological, and/or psychological response of an individual towards one or more substances also known as allergens. However, these substances may be harmless, well tolerated or even useful for most people”.

Allergic reactions are determined by the way in which the brain perceives the substance in question. If the brain considers the substance a threat to the body, it will order the immune system to mobilize its defenses to fight the “invasion”. This manifests as an allergic reaction whose initial signs are generally aimed at “chasing the intruder away”.  In many cases, the perceived ‘intruder’ is something you are exposed to daily, like your foods, and can also include cotton, plastics, molds, metal, new carpet, cosmetics, heat, damp, even the family pet. Dr. Nambudripad has developed a technique to reprogram this ‘erroneous’ perception, NAET.

The key to how NAET works lies in its ability to retrain the patient’s brain and nervous system to no longer react to the allergenic substances. Part of NAET’s success lies in its effect on the body’s energy pathways, or meridians, as they are known by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. Kinesiology is used in NAET to compare the strength and weakness of any muscle (also known as muscle response testing) of the body in the presence and absence of any substance. A measured weakness in the presence of a substance is due to the effect of an allergy to the item the person is touching. This simple method can be used to detect the allergens that have been blocking the energy pathways.

Once the allergen is identified, specific acupuncture points are triggered while the patient holds the allergen. After 20 minutes of holding an allergy vial, the patient is re-checked for the desensitization and sent home with instructions to avoid touching, eating and getting exposed to that allergen for 25 hours. After 25 hours has passed and the patient has been re-tested for clearing the reaction, the end result is usually a permanent desensitization.

The “reprogramming” techniques constitute the core of NAET methodology, and its theory has been extensively verified for more than fifteen years with highly satisfactory, long-lasting results. After the treatment, the incompatibly or clash of energies disappears completely and there is no trace of allergy, sensitivity or intolerance when the patient next comes into contact with the substance. This is because NAET treats the cause of the allergy, not the resulting symptoms. The diagnosis of ‘hidden’ allergies, itself, is not revolutionary. But permanent allergy elimination using NAET promises to revolutionize the practice of medicine with its process of allergy desensitization, which ultimately allows patients to live symbiotically with food, environmental, chemical and cellular allergens. Infants, children and adults can all benefit from NAET.

To learn more about NAET, the conditions that it helps, or to purchase any of the books listed in the article, visit www.naet.com.

Claire Riendeau, N.D., N.M.D., Di. Hom. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine & NAET practitioner. www.consciouslivingcenter.com

If you knew that allergies to certain foods were causing you health problems—gas, bloating, stomach pain, headache, aching joints, sinus congestion, skin rash or weight gain, would you be willing to change your diet?

More people are suffering from reactions to foods than ever before. Examples range from Celiac disease, a chronic digestive disorder caused by intolerance to gluten, which has become more prevalent in recent years, to an estimated 75% of the world population being lactose intolerant. Pediatricians are seeing an increase in immediate onset food allergies among children and alternative health practitioners continue to link chronic health conditions to food sensitivities.

Whether the reaction is due to food intolerance, food allergy or food sensitivity, identifying and removing the offending foods from the diet is key to addressing the underlying cause of many health problems.

Food Intolerance
Food reactions are generally classified as either food intolerances or food allergies. Intolerances occur when a person reacts to a food but the reaction does not involve the immune system. An example includes lactose intolerance. People who are lactose intolerant do not have the intestinal enzyme that breaks down the milk sugar, lactose. The inability to digest and absorb lactose causes the unfortunate nausea, gas, bloating and
diarrhea associated with eating dairy products.

Other types of food intolerances include reactions to chemicals found naturally in foods, such as tyramine in cheese, which has been linked to migraine headaches and reactions to food additives and colors, common in processed foods, shown to aggravate children with hyperactivity disorders.

What is a Food Allergy?
When you hear the term ‘food allergy’ what comes to mind? Is it the childhood friend who had to avoid all things peanut or his throat would swell? This is an example of the most common type of food allergy, known as an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. The individual usually knows exactly what food they are allergic to because they have reacted to it before. The reaction occurs quickly, within seconds, minutes or hours, and can be severe. The most common food triggers include tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy and wheat. Food allergies can present as an anaphylactic response, swelling, hives or digestive upset and they can be the underlying cause of such conditions as hay fever, eczema and asthma.

Unlike food intolerance, a food allergy is an immune response that begins in the gut. Over 60% of the immune cells in the human body are located in the digestive system. These immune cells act as an important defense system against harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that might be ingested in contaminated food and drink. In the event of a food allergy, the immune cells have also been programmed to react to a particular food. Every time the food is eaten, the cells release mediators that continue a series of immune events leading to physical signs and symptoms.

The Other Food Allergy
There is another type of food allergy that is not well recognized, the delayed hypersensitivity reaction, which is the cause of a number of chronic health problems in unsuspecting individuals. The term food allergy refers only to immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized as Types I-IV. Food allergies fall into the category of Type I, (immediate reactions) Types III and IV are known as delayed hypersensitivity reaction in relation to foods and food sensitivities. Food sensitivities have less notoriety because their relationship to the food allergy mechanism is controversial.

Food sensitivities with delayed reactions can take anywhere from 48-72 hours to elicit signs and symptoms, unlike the immediate reactions which occur within 24 hours. This makes food sensitivities more difficult to recognize without directly testing for the reactive foods or completing an elimination diet. Food sensitivities occur when a food is eaten frequently and not digested properly. Impaired digestion triggers a chain reaction of events that leads to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. This damage then allows for the development of food sensitivities, immune deficiency and chronic disease.

The symptoms of food sensitivities are usually less severe than those of food allergies, however food sensitivities are a significant underlying cause of chronic digestive disorders, migraine headaches, arthritis, eczema and fatigue. In children, constipation, eczema, chronic ear infections, chronic sinus infections, bed-wetting and ADHD are commonly associated
with food sensitivities.

Many people do not recognize the correlation between what they are eating and how they feel. When reactive foods are identified and removed from the diet and a restorative plan is put into place, many health problems begin to improve. Identifying food intolerances and allergies also takes the guesswork out of what foods are right or wrong for each individual and provides an opportunity to make healthier choices when it comes to diet.

References:

1. Minzel, D, PhD, CNC. GI Health and Function: Permeability, Specific Food Antigen Response and Efficacy of Whole Food Treatment. UnifiedEnergetics, 2007: 3.
2. www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/135959-overview
3. www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/136217-overview
4. www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/171805-overview
5. www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/187249-overview
6. www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news

For more info, contact Jessica Edge, ND, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at (775) 324-3500, or www.RenoNaturalMedicine.com.

This product claims to help clean the sinuses by washing away pollutants, pollens, irritants and other airborne contaminants. It also assists with dry irritated nasal passages by soothing and moisturizing them. Nasal passages that have become irritated due to low humidity, pollutants, overuse of nasal decongestants and other nasal irritations have been relieved.

Ingredients:

• Purified Water: physically processed to remove impurities. Common forms include distilled water and deionized water, reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, microporous filtration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation, or electrodialysis.
• Xylitol: Used to be made from birchwood, but today made from waste products from the pulp industry. It is said to have a diuretic effect but that has not been substantiated. Used in chewing gum, mints, toffee and as an artificial sweetener. It has been reported to reduce cavities in teeth because it does not ferment in the mouth like sugar. The FDA initial reports state it as a possible cancer-causing agent. It has been used as a sweetener for diabetics. Further studies have reported species-specific findings not applicable to humans for Xylitol as a food additive and therefore, there is no limit on daily intake as set by Expert Committee on Food Additives. It can cause an upset stomach if taken in large amounts. The metabolization of Xylitol does not involve insulin making it beneficial for diabetics.
• Saline: in water there is a significant concentration of dissolved salts (NaCl). The concentration is usually expressed in parts per million (ppm) of salt.
• Grapefruit Seed Extract: also known as citrus seed extract, is a liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit.

References:

1. Winter, Ruth. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives. Crown Publishing, NY NY, 1989.
2. www.wikipedia.org

Written by Ffjorren Zolfahgar |

Picture this print ad: a young woman is smiling a wide, toothy grin and she is happy to be alive. Of course, she is also donning an adorable outfit. Pretty swirls of blue, pink and brown flowers adorn the page. She is quoted saying things like, “I’ll do everything I can to help my dreams come true,” referring to her choice on getting vaccinated. The vaccine is Gardasil, which protects its recipients from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Apparently, it’s trendy, it’s cool and it will help you achieve your dreams.

Marketing is great if you’re looking to sell something. A nice photo and a few digitally created flowers can make any subject seem dreamy. But the reality is that many girls are getting sick from their Gardasil injections.

These injections are filled with ingredients like yeast, salt and water. Nope, they’re not making bread dough, that’s just the base. The other parts of the recipe include a compound of aluminum, used to jump-start the immune system. They also add a dash of Polysorbate 80, which has its very own list of allergic reactions and negative side effects. Don’t forget the pinch of Sodium Borate, the main chemical in boric acid, which is found in roach powder. Alas, the star of this FDA approved recipe, Protein types 6, 11, 16 and 18 of HPV.

This is how Merck & Co. creates the perfect vaccine, a series of three injections that will “gard” our daughters against HPV. According to Merck & Co. and the FDA, this vaccine will safeguard girls from cervical cancer and other HPV diseases. This could be a fairly true outcome, as it should protect them from four strains of high and low risk HPV. However, HPV is a group of over 100 related viruses and more than 30 of them are passed from person to person through sexual contact.

Therefore, boys have the same chance of contracting and carrying these viruses as girls do. However, Gardasil is marketed as a cervical cancer vaccination. It is recommended for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. The hope is to limit or eradicate repeated HPV infections among women, as repeated infections can cause abnormal cell growth. This increases a young woman’s risk for cervical cancer. Most HPV infections go away on their own, however high risk strains have a higher chance of leading to cell abnormality.

It is obviously important for girls, women and men to be aware of HPV. It is also important to take certain precautions. Gardasil may seem like a great answer to a nagging question for some, but it is currently under scrutiny from the media, the FDA, CDC and more importantly, parents. This examination will persist as long as girls continue to get sick.

According to the CDC, Center for Disease Control, as of December 31, 2008 more than 23 million doses of Gardasil were distributed in the U.S. Of those doses, the CDC received 11,916 reports of adverse affects that were linked to Gardasil vaccinations. There have also been 32 reports of U.S. deaths among females who received the Gardasil vaccination. Some of the illnesses that have been reported to the CDC, include, but are not limited to, lupus, fibromayalgia, seizures, massive wart outbreaks, rashes, paralysis and blood clots. At this point, long-term side effects have not been established due to lack of scientific studies.

If you’re concerned about HPV but do not want to receive a vaccination, you can lower your risk naturally. If you’re having sex with more than one partner, make sure to use condoms. Although studies are not linked directly to HPV, they have found lower rates of cervical cancer among women who use condoms. Also, pap smears are a must. Doctor’s are able to detect high risk HPV viruses early on. Unfortunately, there are no approved HPV screening tests for men at this time. For more information on HPV and cervical cancer, go to www.cdc.gov.

References:

1. www.gardasil.com

2. www.fda.gov “Patient information about Gardasil”

3. www.howstuffworks.com – Medical encyclopedia “Sodium Borate poisoning”

4. www.cancer.gov – The National Cancer Institute – “Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer”

5. www.cbsnews.com “Vaccine Watch – Gardasil Side-Effects?”

A Powerful Do-It-Yourself Tool
To Optimize Your Health and Wellbeing

For me, the most startling information in this book was the size and number of stones that could be blocking your liver ducts without your knowledge. I was amazed that hundreds of stones consisting of congealed clumps of bile or organic matter are practically “invisible” to x-rays, ultrasonic technologies and computerized tomography. While diagnostic tests can detect these hardened stones in the gallbladder, they tend to miss the softer noncalcified stones in the liver. Only when excessive amounts of these stones block the bile ducts of the liver may an ultrasound reveal a condition that is called “fatty liver.” That test may show that thousands of stones have accumulated there. But even if “fatty liver” was diagnosed in the early stages, today’s medical facilities offer no treatments to relieve this vital organ of its heavy burden.

So what causes these stones? Overeating is probably the biggest culprit, and eating between meals (eating again before the previous meal has been digested), eating heavy meals in the evening, eating highly processed food, overeating proteins, ingesting refined salt, not drinking enough water, as well as taking certain pharmaceutical drugs.

What is bile and what does it do? Liver bile is a bitter, alkaline fluid of a yellow, brown or green color. It has many functions and each one of these profoundly influences the health of every organ and system in the body. In order to maintain a strong and healthy digestive system and feed body cells the right amount of nutrients, the liver has to produce one to one-and-a-half quarts of bile per day. Anything less than that will cause problems with the digestion of food, elimination of waste and detoxification of the blood. When the liver produces the amount of bile that is necessary for vital body functions but the bile cannot leave the liver because of stones obstructing the bile ducts, sometimes only a cup of bile is produced per day. Among other problems that cause food to be improperly digested and to putrefy in the body, is the production of toxins. After over thirty years of study regarding this subject, the author believes that almost all health problems are a direct or indirect consequence of reduced bile flow.

The book contains numerous testimonials from people all over the world who have done this liver and gallbladder flush. They describe painlessly passing stones as large as a golf ball. One person described doing eight liver flushes over a period of time, and releasing over 2,500 stones. Her former symptoms of headaches, stomach ulcers and sinusitis are “gone without a trace.” Andreas Moritz describes how his patients have become free of backache, allergies, acne, food cravings, skin problems, distended belly as well as about fifty other ailments and conditions through the liver and gallbladder flush.

There are other books recommending a liver and gallbladder flush, but this one is particularly well written and easy to read. It also offers the background information on exactly why we need the fluids our bodies produce, and how our 100 trillion cells, through their astounding harmony and complexity, are designed to work together to keep us healthy if we will do our part.

This flush is easy and inexpensive. We are fortunate to have this information, as a series of liver and gallbladder flushes could actually save us from gallbladder surgery later in life as well as relieve many other symptoms we may be experiencing right now. To quote Andreas Moritz, “Once you see hundreds of green, beige-colored, brown or black gallstones floating in the toilet bowl during your first liver flush, you will intuitively know that you are on to something extremely important in your life.”

For more info contact June Milligan, specializing in personal empowerment, at (775) 786-9111.

KNOWING THE SIDE EFFECTS

OF YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE

Written by Jamie Agee |

A glass of wine with dinner; a beer at the football game; a mixed drink at a party—alcoholic drinks are a common theme in most social situations and an indulgence most people treat themselves to from time to time. But alcohol, like everything else we put into our bodies, can have an impact on everything from how we sleep to how we feel long after the drinking is done—especially for people who aren’t free of health problems.

It’s likely everyone who drinks has experienced the uncomfortable side effects of too much alcohol. Some people, however, experience the discomfort minutes into consuming their drinks. There are many reasons for that to happen, including a possible allergy to alcohol. The alcohol, however, is not typically the reason for such a reaction. Another ingredient—such as grapes in wine, various grains in beers (such as hops, barley, rye, corn or wheat), and the addition of yeast (for fermentation of sugars and generation of alcohol)—may be the cause. If you experience hives, itchiness and swelling it could be a side effect of multiple things. Some alcoholic beverages contain histamine, which is produced by yeast and bacteria during the fermentation process. Histamine is the same chemical released by mast cells during an allergic reaction, and can cause these symptoms. People with asthma should be aware that preservatives added to alcohol known as sulfites can actually worsen asthma symptoms and may also result in hives and anaphylaxis in some people. If you find yourself getting flushed or red, or feel nauseous and experience a rapid heart rate, it may be because you lack an enzyme known as aldehyde dehydrogenase, which helps break down alcohol after it is consumed. Although this enzyme deficiency is most common in people of Asian descent, it is not exclusive to anyone. Alcohol can also have a cold-like effect on people causing nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing. This is likely due to the dilation of blood vessels in the nose, resulting in mucus production and nasal symptoms and would be classified as a form of non-allergic rhinitis.

If you’re fortunate enough to experience no discomfort while drinking, you may not be in the clear just yet. Alcohol can have a significant impact on one’s sleep patterns. Some people turn to a nightcap for aid in falling asleep. While this is proven to be helpful in decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep, alcohol consumed within an hour of bedtime actually causes sleep difficulty. You may fall asleep right away, but the alcohol will likely disrupt the second half of the sleep period. You could find yourself awakening from dreams and then having difficulty falling back asleep. What about if you drink several hours before bed time? It’s not uncommon to have a drink at “happy hour” or with dinner. Even if you stop there, research shows alcohol consumed as much as six hours before bedtime can increase wakefulness during that second half of the sleep period.

Of course, alcohol can have a powerful effect on anyone’s body, but it’s especially important for people with Type II diabetes to be particularly cautious.

It’s not necessary to avoid alcohol, but the American Diabetes Association stresses the importance of moderation, which generally means two drinks per day for males and one per day for females. It’s also important to avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Your liver sees alcohol as a poison, and desires to get rid of it as quickly as possible. When your liver is busy cleaning up alcohol, it “ignores” certain other jobs, such as converting stored carbohydrates into glucose.

This means that for the hours the alcohol remains in your body the only glucose you’ll be getting is from the food you eat. This can lead to some dangerous lows for people whose diabetes is controlled with medications such as insulin. Mixing alcohol with exercise, such as dancing in a club or playing volleyball on the beach, can make this worse. Of course, low blood sugar is less of a risk if your diabetes is controlled through diet and exercise alone.

If you have reason to be concerned about lows caused by drinking, there are steps you can take. First, talk with your health care provider about your specific needs and how drinking alcohol may affect the medications you take. Second, drink in moderation and with food. Nurse one or two drinks all night. Start out on a full stomach, and make sure you have high-carb snacks while you drink. Try to stick with drinks that have a lower alcohol and sugar content—for example, light beer and dry wine. Try mixing your own drink if possible, to give your self more control over the situation. Remember the signs of low blood sugar are often confused with intoxication, so wear an ID that says you have diabetes—it could save your life if you have a low. Don’t drink and drive, ever. Finally, continue checking your glucose and making sure you have enough to eat even hours after drinking. Remember, it can take your liver a long time to finish clearing alcohol from your body.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.

References:

1. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa41.htm

2. Health.com:  www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188721,00.html

3. About.com Allergic Reactions to Alcoholic Drinks: allergies.about.com/od/faq/f/alcoholallergy.htm

For more info, Candace Andrews, LADC at Alliance Counseling & DUI School at (775) 677-2612.

By Scott W. Albrecht,

IAQS, AOS, CMI, NTP |

Stop for a moment and consider all the stuff you’ve seen coming out of the exhaust pipes of semi-trucks and factories. Well, according to studies done by the EPA, “Indoor air pollution is up to 5 times worse than outdoor air.” According to the American College of Allergists, “50% of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air.”

Sick Building Syndrome has been around for years. Ever since the energy crisis of the 70’s we have built our homes and offices as air-tight as possible to save energy and, in so doing, have adversely affected indoor air quality. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Carpeting, poorly ventilated fireplaces, mold, bacterial toxins, dust mites … an almost endless collection of highly allergenic products has invaded our homes and we have sealed them in with deadly precision.”

Our homes have become a virtual incubator and breeding ground for dust, dust mites, bacteria, mold, mildew, odors, spores, pollen, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and many other harmful contaminants that fill the air that we breathe. And therefore, it should be no surprise that the U.S. House of Representatives calls indoor air pollution “… the number one environmental health problem in America today.”

It follows when USA Today carried the following headline: The Mighty Dust Mite Can Make Us Miserable and Sick.  Speaking of dust mites and their by-products, did you know that when you look through the window on a sunshiny day and see dust floating, most of that dust is dead skin cells with dust mites “riding on it”? And, YOU are sucking IN this ‘stuff’ as you breathe. A single ounce of dust (or dead skin) supports up to Forty-Two Thousand mites! Up to 12% or more of a pillow’s weight after 3 to 6 years could consist of dust mites, dust mite feces and dust mite carcasses. Wow! Well the point here is that dust mites are becoming a serious problem and people are being educated on this problem on a daily basis by the media. Still, the worst part – the reason most people do nothing about this problem – is because if they can’t see it, hear it, feel it of smell it, there IS no problem. Dust mites and their feces are a contributing source to some allergy and asthma attacks and can trigger ongoing allergy and asthma symptoms. All across the nation, people are now scrambling to find a solution to help reduce the dust mite populations from their homes. The good news is, that now there has emerged a new technology that actually helps reduce the dust mite’s food supply. How does it do this? Simply by reducing the mold and mildew that’s attached to dead skin which the dust mite eats. Reduce the dust mite’s food supply – you’ll reduce the dust mites.

With the spring allergy season upon us, many people will go to their doctor who typically prescribes some sort of drug (or drugs) to treat respiratory symptoms while the actual irritants and sources of the problem are ignored. However, expect to see an increasing number of air filter infomercials on the tube from now through early summer. From gadget-store and vacuum cleaner retailers to heating and air conditioning contractors and so many other spin-off businesses, marketers across the country realize that poor indoor air quality is a trend that’s here to stay. Even furnace and air conditioning manufacturers have finally warmed up to the problem and are adding electrostatic filter components to their systems. Unfortunately, just as with your cold air return filter, know that such filters function primarily to keep your heating and air conditioning units reasonably clean and easier to maintain – rather than significantly purify the air you breathe. In fact, when Googled, you’ll find more and more companies that have gotten on the air quality bandwagon. And should you begin such a search, note that there is a significant difference between an air filter or electrostatic precipitator with “passive technology” and an actual air purifier with “active technology”.

What is Passive? What is Active? Passive technologies require a relatively small amount of the total air and pollution in a room to come to it and be collected. Active technologies go out into the entire air space dropping the dust from the air, neutralizing odors at their source and killing germs and pathogens in the air and on surfaces, thus “purifying” the indoor environment.

When it comes to filters, the High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter or HEPA is the gold standard. HEPA filters are very efficient in the filtering of air that passes through the filter and they can filter down to 0.3 microns. Paradoxically, more than 97% of typical household particulate is smaller than .5 microns and may pass right through a HEPA. In fact, very small particulate is NOT effectively transported by air movement. So an air filter may be great at collecting “rocks and bowling balls,” but filters and plates have no real chance of removing the dangerous submicron particles. It is these submicron particles that are the real health threat.

For the general health of your family, take some action to try and control the quality of your indoor air at home as well as at the office. But be careful. An “anything is better than nothing” attitude may get you nowhere. Rather, Caveat emptor. (Let the buyer beware!) Just because the package on the store shelf or product website claims to reduce dust by 99%, don’t accept such a claim on face value. Seek specifics. How much air is 99% clean? All the air in the room or house? Or only the air that passes through the unit? If the product makes a broad claim like: “All germs are killed” or “odors are eliminated,” don’t be “suckered.” Before you invest, call the manufacturer or sales representative and insist on seeing independent, peer-reviewed and published scientific validation to claims about a given air filter’s effectiveness. That kind of real proof is hard to come by, but it does exist with credible companies. And when you get it – read it.

Lastly, ask whomever you buy an air purifier from if they will let you TRY if for several days RISK FREE. Ask them exactly how to set the dials, and do make certain that YOU read the operating instructions. Air purifiers like snowflakes are different. YOU make the choice that suits your particular needs. Especially with air purifiers, it’s just common sense to try a machine BEFORE you buy it. If you find a company that will loan you one to see if it “works on your problems,” of course TRY it.

Amazingly, many are still asking: “Is Indoor Air Pollution really a serious problem and is breathing clean air really all that important?”

Well, stop and think about this for a moment. You can live for approximately 1 week without water, 5 weeks without food, but if you stop breathing for only 4 minutes – you’re dead. Doesn’t it make sense to breathe the cleanest air possible? Of course it does! Remember, if you don’t have an air purification system, you and your family ARE the air purification system.

References:

1. http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/airindoorairpollution.html

2. Fresh Air For Life, Somersall, Allan C., PhD, MD. The Natural Wellness Group, 2006.

3. The Silent Killers, Billac, Pete. Swan Publishing, 2005.

For more info call Preferred EcoSystems at 775.626.6800.

Winter Allergies

By Christine Gorman |

A new report says your chronic colds and sniffles may be caused by irritants, not germs.

Most people don’t think of winter as an allergy season. But if you’re allergic to dust—or more accurately the mold, pollen, mites and insect parts that linger in dust—winter can be the worst time of year. When the furnace kicks on, all the dust that has settled into your carpet, atop the book-shelves and under the couch gets stirred up and wreaks havoc with your eyes, nose, sinuses and throat.

You and your doctor may dismiss your symptoms as just another winter cold. But while a cold generally lasts as long as 10 days, continued exposure to dust, if you’re allergic, can leave you feeling under the weather for weeks or months.

For the first time, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has gathered experts from 21 professional health associations to develop The Allergy Report. The task force spent 18 months looking at everything from ear infections to hay fever to allergic reactions to food and drugs. You can obtain a summary by calling the academy at 414-272-6071. Among the findings:

• Frequent upper respiratory infections—colds, strep throat, middle-ear and sinus infections—may be a sign of undiagnosed allergy. One of the ways the body responds to the tiny particles that trigger allergies is by producing mucus, which turns out to be a terrific medium for trapping and growing viruses and bacteria. Getting rid of the mucus, which means identifying and treating the allergy, makes it much less likely that you will catch those germs in the first place. As a general rule, infants who suffer more than six upper-respiratory infections a year, and school-age children and adults with more than three or four, should be evaluated for allergies.

• More than 75% of children who develop eczema—a skin condition that usually erupts around the mouth, on the inside of the elbow or behind the knee—also suffer an allergic reaction to food, mold or other environmental triggers. The foods that most commonly cause reactions are eggs, milk and peanuts.

Treating allergies doesn’t necessarily mean taking medication. “First identify the cause of the problem”, says Dr. Joel Karlin, an allergist in Lakewood, Colo. “Are there smokers in the house? Is the carpet old and mildewy? Is the dog sleeping on your bed?” Many people find relief simply by changing their environment. If you can’t bear to part with Fido, banning him from the bedroom can make a big difference. Special note to folks who are sensitive to ragweed: you may be cross-reactive to chamomile tea as well.

So if you feel as though you’ve had a cold all winter long, you may need to do something more than make chicken soup.

Note from the American Lung Association:

Perfume, room deodorizers, cleaning chemicals, paint, and talcum powder are examples of triggers that must be avoided or kept to very low levels. Be sure that your environment is as free of irritants and allergens as you can make it. If possible, use air filters to make your home cleaner and more comfortable.

References:

1. http://healthandenergy.com/winter_allergies.htm

2. http://www.aaaai.org/public/

3. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/s/content.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34706&ct=67448

For more info, call Preferred EcoSystems 775-626-6800.

By John Morgenthaler |

If you are one of the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, then you are probably already aware of the misery that allergies can cause. Itching, sneezing, runny nose, difficulty breathing, etc. are just a few of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. And, as often is the case, the pharmaceutical industry has provided a host of cures that mask the symptoms, do nothing to address the cause, and come with side-effects that are sometimes worse than the allergy symptom itself!

But don’t despair… integrative medicine has once again demonstrated that nature heals better than synthetic drugs and that there’s a healthier and more appropriate way to deal with allergies.

Supplements containing healthy phytochemicals and botanical extracts have been proven to alleviate symptoms without negative side effects, and balance the immune system so it doesn’t over-react to allergens.

Botanical Extracts Can Control The Symptoms & The Cause Of Allergic Reactions

When properly harvested and processed, the following botanical extracts provide a synergistic effect to help control the common symptoms and causes of allergies by inhibiting histamine release and, more importantly, correcting immune system dysfunction:

Persimmon Leaf Extract

Hesperidin

Apple Extract

Pine Bark Extract

Rhus Punjabensis Extract

Rosemary Extract

Luteolin

Let’s look at each individually and see how together they provide short term relief of symptoms and long term allergy control by supporting healthy immune function.

Persimmon Leaf Extract Stops The Itching Associated With Atopic Dermatitis

Persimmon has been cultivated in Japan for at least 1,000 years, where it is considered the national fruit. So it only seems natural that Japanese researchers discovered that the main flavonoid in persimmon–astragalin–inhibits the release of histamine in mice suffering from atopic dermatitis. When the mice were given persimmon extract, they exhibited fewer behavioral symptoms, such as scratching and biting their skin. There was also a reduction of serum IgE, the antibodies produced in response to an allergen. Additionally, tissue samples showed there was less inflammation and thickening of the skin. The scientists concluded that persimmon leaf extract may be an alternative remedy for managing atopic dermatitis.

Hesperidin Can Stop The Sneezing From Hay Fever

Hesperidin is the predominant flavonoid in lemons and oranges. Sweet oranges and tangelos are the richest dietary source of hesperidin, which is purported to relieve allergy and hay fever symptoms. Hesperidin is also found in rosemary leaves.

Apple Extract Regulates Allergic Reactions

Apples contain many kinds of polyphenols, and the main components are oligomeric procyanidins. Apple polyphenol extract, produced from unripe apples, has been shown to be especially beneficial in helping regulate allergic reactions. In double-blind clinical trials apple polyphenol extract ameliorated symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis, and also produced positive results in tests using allergic laboratory animals.

Pine Bark Extract Quells Inflammation & Asthma Symptoms

Pine bark extract contains a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids. Pine bark extract is considered a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and is revered for its numerous health benefits, including relief from inflammatory skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Pine bark also inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells, and may prove to be a key player in the relief of asthma symptoms.

A double blind and placebo-controlled study found children who took pine bark were able to reduce their need for rescue inhaler use and in some cases stop inhaler use altogether more often than the placebo group. Previous studies have shown pine bark to be effective in decreasing asthma symptoms among adults, without any adverse effects.

Rhus Punjabensis Extract Works To Balance Immune Function

Here’s how this rare plant that grows only in Southeast Asia works to control your allergies long term. Rhus punjabensis extract is a source of anti-allergic flavonoids, including the flavonoid fisetin. While fairly common in small amounts in a variety of fruits and vegetables, fisetin can be found in abundance in the Rhus punjabenisis plant. Studies have shown that fisetin and other flavonoids suppress the release of chemicals that cause you to have an allergic reaction! Studies have shown that fisetin suppresses excess levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, and interleukin-5, which play a major role in allergic diseases.

Rosemary Extract Aids Breathing

Several new studies have indicated that rosmarinic acid—an antioxidant found in rosemary—is antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Another recent study also showed that rosmarinic acid exerts a calming effect on the mind while supporting short and long term memory.

Rosmarinic acid has also been shown to prevent inflammation of air passages, leading researchers to suggest that it might be helpful to asthmatic patients.

Luteolin Is The Secret Active Ingredient In Chinese Herbal Asthma Medicines

Luteolin is commonly found in Chinese herbal asthma medicines. A study at the College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan found that luteolin inhibited the release of histamine in laboratory animals, and relaxed the animals’ tracheas. Two other studies on laboratory animals found that luteolin was an effective asthma and allergy preventative.

Conclusion

Let’s face it, allergies make you miserable. This time around, instead of relying on pharmaceuticals that provide temporary relief and add different symptoms to the mix, why not try these proven extracts? They have impressive studies to back them up, and because atopic dermatitis, asthma and hay fever all result from an excess of inflammatory mediators, you can take any or all of them to relieve your hay fever, dermatitis and/or asthma.

References:

1. Kotani M, Matsumoto M, Fujita A, et al. Persimmon leaf extract and astragalin inhibit development of dermatitis and IgE elevation in NC/Nga mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Jul;106(1 Pt 1):159-66.

2. Akazome Y  Characteristics and physiological functions of polyphenols from apples. Biofactors. 2004;22(1-4):311-4.

3. Rihn B, Saliou C, Bottin MC, Keith G, Packer L. From ancient remedies to modern therapeutics: pine bark uses in skin disorders revisited. Phytother Res. 2001 Feb;15(1):76-8.

4. Hirano T, Higa S, Arimitsu J, et al. Flavonoids such as luteolin, fisetin and apigenin are inhibitors of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 production by activated human basophils. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2004 Jun;134(2):135-40. Epub 2004 May 17.

5. Inoue K, Takano H, Shiga A, et al. Effects of volatile constituents of a rosemary extract on allergic airway inflammation related to house dust mite allergen in mice. Int J Mol Med. 2005 Aug;16(2):315-9.

For more info contact www.smart-publications.com.

The cause may not be what you think!

Book Review by June Milligan, M.Ed. CCHt |

Allergies & Candida:

With The Physicist’s Rapid Solution (4th Edition)

This book was written by a physicist who suffered from dozens of environmental allergies, blood and immune system abnormalities plus additional seemingly unrelated ailments until he began doing his own research on what could possibly be wrong with him.  Medical doctors had suggested he had literally everything, from dyslexia to MS to cancer, but couldn’t tell him how to feel better or get well.

This is the fourth edition of the book, as it is regularly updated with new information and continues to be in print nineteen years after the first edition was published.  In the author’s own words, “In spite of bad genes, tremendous stress, poor diet and life-threatening allergies and Candidiasis, the author is well (for the first time in his life.)

The reader is invited to join the multitudes around the world that have gotten well with these methods.  To those among the millions with Ecological Illness, if you take the responsibility to balance both your energy and ecology, your time has come!”

Dr. Rochlitz is a firm believer in the Science of Kinesiology or Muscle Biofeedback Testing and Energy Balancing.  He feels that this approach to determining what substances your body is allergic to is crucial.  These procedures are based on ancient (and proven) Chinese acupuncture theory, with significant modern innovations.

This is a system whereby one can “ask the body questions” through muscle testing, and/or balance the body’s energies for a specific problem.  The brain records everything that has happened to the body, and the muscle testing is just a biofeedback system to get at this knowledge.

Dr. Rochlitz gives explanations of how to do these procedures, and includes photographs showing how the kinesiology techniques are to be done and what they actually accomplish.  Some of the photographs are a bit fuzzy, but were quite familiar to this reviewer, as I have taught many of these techniques to teachers and school children as brain integration exercises.  The Teacher’s Edition of Brain Gym, by Paul and Gail Dennison, shows many exercises which can assist children with brain integration (using both sides of their brain) during school activities. The drawings and explanations in the brain gym publication are larger and much more detailed than in Allergies and Candida.

Of course, the focus of Dr. Rochlitz’ book is to use kinesiology to detect allergies as well as to release them.  The focus of Brain Gym is to present these easy quick techniques to teachers or parents in order to prepare students for the rigors of testing, to increase the attention span, to learn to relax, etc.  The result of both books is to teach people how to use the knowledge stored in their own bodies to become and remain healthy, both mentally and physically.

In his forward to Allergies and Candida Dr. John Wright says, “In these techniques of balancing the body the system is readjusted so that it can start to function normally again.  No two balances are the same because no two bodies are the same. This is a very personalized form of therapy.  After a balance is achieved, and if a good diet is maintained and medication is kept to an absolute minimum (or in many cases stopped), the results are quite stunning.”

The first six chapters of Dr. Rochlitz’ book focus on explaining allergies of all kinds, and making clear the allergic connection to other imbalances, such as hypoglycemia and even diabetes.  Chapters seven and eight explain Candida and its human interactions and chapters nine through twelve focus on how you can use kinesiology (muscle biofeedback testing) and energy balancing to identify and release allergies and their symptoms.  Chapters thirteen through seventeen focus on nutrition, how to balance your emotions using these procedures, and a multitude of other helpful ideas.  Dr. Rochlitz believes that with this knowledge of how your own body reacts you can actually have “wellness at your fingertips,” a highly empowering and desirable place to be with one’s lifelong health.

There is useful information about latex products you will want to take with you when researching and selecting the product tailored to meeting your needs. First of all, latex comes from rubber trees. Latex is breathable, resilient, durable, and exceptionally comfortable. It reduces high-pressure areas, that in other products, cause you to toss and turn. It dynamically contours to your anatomy and keeps your spine properly supported throughout the night. If you are a back, side or stomach sleeper, a latex beds cradles your torso without creating unsupported gaps between your body and the mattress. Sleeping deeper and taking care of your back makes sense!

Latex is uniquely healthy. It is hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, antimicrobial, and inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. No artificial or synthetic materials have been added to provide these benefits. Allergy sufferers profit from the use of latex products. With relief of nasal and congestion issues, you wake refreshed and ready for a new day.

Are latex allergies an issue in bedding products? Around the late 1990’s, latex allergies became a topic of concern. A small portion of the population reported an allergic reaction to the protein found in natural rubber latex. Most were from Health care workers who came into contact with surgical gloves and other latex medical products. Latex mattresses and pillows have never had a reported allergic complaint made to the FDA. Moreover, the latex used in mattresses is an open-cell foam, allowing for deep cleansing of the product. The latex is washed at least 5 times.

If you decide to add the component of movement with the adjustable option, you can curtail many annoying medical conditions such as hiatal hernia, acid reflux, back pain, breathing problems, snoring, and circulation problems, by elevating the head or legs. One sleep system creates independent motion adjustments for each side of the bed. Differences of firmness can be selected for each side depending upon preferences. Sound sleep equals a better quality of life!  As you discover which sleep system meets your satisfaction, don’t forget to take care of yourself and make your bedtime its best.

References:

www.allergyconsumerreview.com/

www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/sleep.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latex#Latex_mattresses

www.rubbernews.com

For more info, contact The Mattress Store 775-851-7200.

By Linda Vegazo, CNC |

Most people know that honey comes from bees, but bees are also responsible for some uniquely useful and healing products.

Bees gather nectar from flowers and carry it back to the hive in a honey sac in their throats. The nectar is “ripened” into honey by the addition of secretions from glands in the bees’ throat, and as most of the water evaporates from the nectar. The bees store the honey in the hive as food for the bees in the colony. Raw unprocessed honey contains small amounts of pollens and many people who eat local honey find they have less allergy symptoms. Honey contains important nutrients: vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. The sugars in honey, glucose and fructose, are compatible with the human body, unlike the disaccharides in table sugar. Honey is also anti-microbial. It inhibits a variety of detrimental bacteria and fungi, especially when used topically for healing and preventing infection.

As honeybees make their rounds among the flowers, they also collect plant pollens in addition to nectar. They mix these pollens with a small amount of flower nectar and their special saliva to make bee pollen. With pollen packed in the “baskets” on their legs, they bring it to the hive as a food for the bee colony. Researchers have tried unsuccessfully to reproduce bee pollen in the laboratory, but cannot even identify all of its ingredients. However because of its rich nutrient content, scientists regard bee pollen as a complete food. Bee pollen is used by many people to help them overcome the symptoms of seasonal allergies, to increase their energy and their strength.

Bees also collect plant gums, resins, and balms. Back at the hive, they blend these substances with saliva and bees’ wax secreted from glands on their abdomen to make bee propolis. Propolis is used by bees to repair the hive and for lining the nests where bee eggs will hatch. Propolis contains many useful properties for humans: it suppresses or kills bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. Propolis is antioxidant, and appears to inhibit the spread of some toxic substances in the body, benefiting the immune system and reducing inflammation. Many conditions are said to be helped by propolis, including infections, arthritis, cancer, psoriasis, gum disease, and the common cold.

Royal Jelly, the “super food” that worker bees feed to the Queen Bee, is secreted from glands in the bees’ throats. Queen bees are 50% larger than worker bees and can live for 4-5 years, compared to the 40 day life-span of worker bees. Royal Jelly has been documented to benefit the functioning of many human systems (cardiovascular, digestive, immune, musculoskeletal, respiratory, skin, and metabolism).

Bees move pollen from flower to flower, fertilizing or pollinating the plants. Many food producing crops rely on insects and bees for pollination. Without bees, pollination would be so limited that most of these crops and plants would die out.

Last winter U.S. beekeepers began reporting unusual numbers of dying bee colonies; researchers termed it Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). The USDA set up an action plan and team to study the causes and look for solutions. Possible causes they are investigating include  pathogens, parasites, environmental and/or nutritional stress, and pesticides. Honeybees pollinate about 130 major crops in the U.S each year, worth about $15 billion. The complete disappearance of honeybees would bring about an ecological disaster.

References:

“Honey”, “Propolis”, “Bee Pollen”, “Royal Jelly” Hyperhealth Pro 5.0, 2005

“Beehive Product Bible”, by Royden Brown,  Avery Publishing Group

“USDA Announces Colony Collapse Disorder Research Action Plan” by Kim Kaplan, Washington, 7/13/07 on http://www.ars.usda.gov

“Mystery of the Dying Bees”, by Benjamin Lester, 3/7/07 on www.cosmosmagazine.com

Original artwork by Linda Vegazo. Linda has a Ph.D. in nutrition from the Clayton College and a BA degree in Fine Arts. For more information, call her at Truckee Meadow Herbs on Saturdays, 775-786-8814.