INFANT ALLERGIES TO WATCH FOR

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Keeping your baby healthy is number one on any parents list, so when mothers hear that their breast milk may be what is making their new born sick, they are torn. In some cases, babies may experience vomiting, fever, rash or gas. These are all symptoms of allergic reactions and must be addressed immediately.

 Luckily, there is no ‘real’ allergy to breast milk. The reactions in new borns is usually caused from what is in the mothers milk. Taking a closer look into your own diet may help to sort out what your new born is having difficulty digesting or is allergic to. Refrain from taking in milk, soy, fish or nuts. If the symptoms cease you may want to try to reintroduce one item at a time into your diet so that you can pin point exactly what your baby is allergic to. In some cases, babies may be lactose intolerant and are just not able to digest the enzymes in milk.

If you want to be safe, it is best to stay away from dairy, soy and nuts for the remainder of your breast feeding. Wait until your baby has moved onto formula, to be sure as to not pass anything on to them and keep them from any further harm, like potentially developing further allergies. If you have any further concerns or worry it may be something more serious contact your doctor immediately, take no chances and consult and expert.

References

http://www.livestrong.com/article/373323-can-an-infant-be-allergic-to-breast-milk/

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MILK: DOES IT REALLY DO A BODY GOOD?

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Milk is said to be one of the top eight food allergies in America. Most people tend to believe they have a lactose intolerance, when in fact they may actually be allergic to dairy all together!

A lactose intolerance is not the same thing as being allergic to milk or other dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a result of not being able to digest the sugar LACTOSE found in milk. If this is happening to you, then you may still  be able to drink lactose free milk but may want to stray from heavy dairy products such as ice cream or yogurt.

A dairy allergy may affect you like any other allergy. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, diarrhea, swelling of lips, tongue and face, and abdominal pain. Having a milk allergy may be a genetic condition. Only recently modern times, have humans included dairy into their diets and our bodies are still trying to adjust to it. By the way, humans are the only mammals on earth that drinks another mammals milk after infancy.

 If you are unsure whether you have a milk allergy or think you are lactose intolerant, schedule an appointment with your physician. If you test positive for the allergen, it is important to exercise a good amount of caution with regard to the foods you consume. Milk can be found in unsuspecting foods like canned tuna or chewing gum. These items contain the proteins found in milk and will affect you just the same as consuming milk on its own!

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HELP YOURSELF THIS NEW YEAR

Why is managing your serotonin levels so important? They are responsible for so much! Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced and released in the body to regulate brain process. The level of serotonin in your body can effect your mood, stress levels, sleeping patterns, and appetite. If you have low levels of serotonin in your body you are more likely to experience mood changes, high stress and anxiety levels, depression and aggression. Serotonin can also affect your memory, emotions and may cause insomnia.

Most people believe that serotonin is only produced in the brain, when in fact about 90% of it is made in your intestines. The location of where serotonin is released affects different parts of your body. For example, if it is released in the hippocampus it can affect your memory, whereas if it is released from the frontal cortex of the brain, it can affect your cognition.

One way of increasing serotonin in your body is by ingesting the precursors or nutrients that help synthesize the neurotransmitter.  Serotonin is ultimately made from an amino acid called tryptophan. In cells of the brain and particularly the gut, tryptophan converts  into 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) and then finally made into the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Tryptophan can be found in turkey, chicken, milk, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds. Although these foods contain trace amounts of tryptophan they are usually not enough to affect the body, which is why I recommend taking the supplement 5-HTP or Tryptophan amino acid. These supplements can be purchased at the local health food store and can be found individually or with other herbal remedies and nutrients.

Not only are healthy serotonin levels good for the body, but also for a healthy mind. 5-HTP at high levels can cause unfavorable symptoms, so it is important to speak with your doctor to work out an effective plan. Uplift yourself!

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TREATING THE COMMON COLD SORE

Treating the common cold soreWe are all familiar with that prickly, tingly feeling at the corners of our mouth, and it is almost always the sign of an incoming cold sore. Cold sores are incurable but entirely treatable. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus that causes fluid build-up under the skin. They typically show up around the mouth but surprisingly can be found on the nose area too!

One of the most effective ways for treating cold sores is by adding lysine to your diet. Lysine is an essential amino acid. The body uses it to fight off infections by producing antibodies and enzymes to help ward off the herpes virus.

Most people with the herpes virus do not show signs or outbreaks at any point in their lifetime, but still carry the virus. For people who do show signs, treating the outbreak is your best option. Adding lysine-rich foods to your diet however, like fish, legumes, dairy products, and red meat, can help mitigate the frequency with which cold sores appear.

One amino acid to stay away from though, is arginine, which blocks the absorption of lysine in the body. When lysine levels are low is when an outbreak is likely to appear. Try staying away from foods rich in arginine like chocolate, peanuts and almonds.

You may also want to consider a lysine supplement, but consult your physician before starting a supplement you’re unfamiliar with. It is recommended to start taking 1g a day to prevent cold sores and when treating then, take 1g/3 times a day. A daily lysine supplement for those who do not frequently eat lysine-rich foods is a good way to stop those pesky cold sores before they start!

 

References:

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/294393-lysine-for-treating-cold-sores/

 

 

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MERCURY LEVELS IN YOUR FISH

How high are the mercury levels in your fish?  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury.”

 High mercury levels can be dangerous to everyone especially women who are expecting. Mercury’s effects on developing babies range from hindering motor skills, visual-spatial skills, and the development of the nervous system. It is recommended that children under the age of 6 years old do not consume fish more than two times a week. In adults, exposure to mercury over a long period of time can result in a loss of coordination, blurred vision and hearing and speech impairments.

  The fish with the highest levels of mercury are marlin, shark, swordfish, tile fish and ahi tuna. Try to limit your intake of fish to once a week.  Over time the build-up of mercury could be harmful.  Mercury levels are higher in bigger fish because they have lived longer and had more time to build up mercury in their system. I would recommend double checking store bought fish and researching the mercury levels in your favorite meals before going on your next sushi binge. People with a diet heavy in fish, such as pescatarians, need to be especially careful about their fish intake.  Substituting fish for red meat is okay but I still recommend monitoring when it comes to meals for the family!

 References:  

http://oehha.ca.gov/fish/hg/index.html

 http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/a/fish_mercury.htm 

 http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/outreach/advice_index.cfm

 

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COMMON SKIN CONDITIONS – TINEA VERISCOLOR

It is time to get to know your body. Many people do not understand a lot of the functions our body does or why it does them. Our bodies, however, are smarter than we think, and can turn on us at the drop of a hat. Let’s just say paying attention to your body pays off!

A very common skin condition is Tinea Veriscolor. It is a skin fungus, but a curable one and not contagious. Tinea Veriscolor is actually produced by your own body’s yeast. When there is an overproduction of yeast on the skin, it can cause “patches if discolored skin with sharp borders (edges) and fine scales.” The skin will typically become darker on light skinned people and lighter on people with darker skin. This tends to happen in hotter climates and more often in men.

Tinea Veriscolor can be anywhere on the body. It is most likely to appear where you sweat the most or where it is warmest on your body, like on your underarms, back, neck and chest. Itching is a common symptom that occurs on the irritated areas as well.

If you think that you might be developing a skin condition it is best to visit your doctor. Most of the time the doctor can tell right away what is going on with your body, but just to be safe they may do a skin scraping test to take a closer look.

There are however, a couple of different ways to treat your skin at home without a pricey prescription. The first is to apply an anti-fungal medication directly on the skin; do this every day. The second is to apply ordinary dandruff shampoo on the skin and let it sit for 10 minutes. If done daily, this should break down the yeast on your skin and clear it up.

Additionally, the sun may not worsen your condition, but it does make a difference. I strongly urge you to avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds while your skin is healing. The sun can darken the skin around the infected area and make the marks more prominent. I would also suggest staying away from tight clothing that may restrict your skin from airing out, or using any oily skin products. Better to be safe than sorry!

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COMMON FALL ALLERGIES

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Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, mostly during the fall and early winter months. The key is to figure out what is causing the allergies, and deal with them accordingly, rather than avoiding the outdoors altogether.

The number one contributor to seasonal allergies is ragweed. It is the most commonly found weed across the southern, northern and Midwest parts of the United States. Ragweed is an airborne allergen that can travel as far as 400 miles from its original location. It is most often found in vacant lots or on the side of the road and produces billions of pollen particles each season.

 The Santa Ana winds move in from October to March, greatly increasing the distance that pollen and spores travel. As most allergens are transmitted through the wind it is important to be aware of its movements. Wind travels furthest during the early morning from around 5am to 10am. During these hours it is best to keep your outdoor activities to a minimum if you are allergy-prone.

To protect against these allergens, it is also not a bad idea to keep all doors and windows in your house shut. Among the most common ways of avoiding winds, however, try using an air purifier in your home. I recommend getting one with a High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor (HEPA) as they remove up to 99.97% of allergens from the air

In addition to pollen, a great contributor to seasonal allergies are mold spores. These little devils typically start up in the fall due to weather change, cropping up in damp piles of leaves and stuffy basements. Try keeping track of those leaves piling up in your front yard, and clear all yard debris as often as possible to keep from growing mold and collecting other allergens.

Fall is a beautiful time of year. Try researching new ways to keep your family clear of allergies this season so you can enjoy a brisk walk with your kids or travel to that great family destination. If you have any concerns, contact your physician, but most likely that tickle in your nose are those pesky little pollen particles!

References Used

http://www.everydayhealth.com/year-round-allergies/most-common-fall-allergies.aspx

http://www.aircleaners.com/difference.phtml

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COULD YOU HAVE A GLUTEN INTOLERANCE?

One out of every 133 people in the United States live with celiac disease (CD), and only recently has it caught on with the general public.  Gluten intolerance can at times seem like such a common digestive disorder, it can go unrecognized and untreated for years!

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, similar to an allergic reaction to gluten, but not quite the same thing. When gluten is consumed by someone who has an intolerance to it, it can damage the hair-like lining inside of the small intestine that absorbs the nutrients from food, called villi.  Over time the body stops absorbing necessary nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.  If left untreated the small intestine can become permanently damaged, causing immune and nutritional disorders which can be potentially life threatening.

There are no known causes for CD but physical effects include intense rashes and blisters, commonly appearing on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks, called Dermatitis Herpitiformis (DH). This can only be confirmed with a skin biopsy by your doctor or a gastrointestinal specialist (GI).  If you are scheduling an appointment to get it looked at make sure to cut all gluten from your diet for at least four weeks before the biopsy. Some more common symptoms  are bloating of the stomach, chronic diarrhea or constipation, bone and joint pain, and mouth ulcers.

Celiac disease may appear at any point in a persons life.  It is usually brought on by severe stress, pregnancy, childbirth, or after a surgery.  There is no cure for celiac disease and can only be treated for the symptoms.  If you suffer from CD, the biggest requirement is that you maintain a gluten-free diet.  Medication for the problem has not been shown to improve health as much as a healthy gluten-free diet.

I recommend confirming with a good gastrointestinal specialist if you believe you may have celiac disease.  He or she will issue specific blood tests and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis better than anyone else. After all, intestines are their specialty!

For further information on the topic please visit www.celiac.org.

References:

www.celiac.org

 

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HEALTHY PREGNANCY PRECAUTIONS

Starting a family is a major step. There is so much preparation that goes into bringing a child into this world, it can make your head spin. The one thing you do not want to let slip the cracks though, is your health.

Among many things I recommend when expecting, like eating plenty of healthy proteins, both meat and vegetable, is taking plenty of vitamins. Vitamins A, B complex, C and minerals are especially important to help you through your gestation period and decrease your baby’s chances of birth defects.

Additionally, taking in folate or folic acids contributes to tissue development during the early stages of your pregnancy and protects the growth of the baby’s spinal cord.

Folate and folic acids work the same way, but folate acids are naturally occurring in food and folic acids are found in supplements. Folate acids in foods are harder for you body to break down and absorb into the body, while folic acids are an easier substitute for the same preventative measures. I always recommend getting natural folate acids through foods, as opposed to synthetic folic acid, which may not completely get absorbed by the body, and later dumped into the bloodstream. Excessive folic acid has been known to stimulate precancerous cells, which is not something we want when we are expecting.

Natural folate acids can be found in a variety of foods like beans, vegetables and most fruits. Supplements may seem like a quick fix, but skipping out on vitamin-rich foods depletes your body of all the natural nutrients it requires for getstation. Stick to 100% whole wheat items and anything else rich in fiber, along with increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, and lean protein. To aid the growth of your baby’s heart, lungs and circulatory system be sure to include foods rich in vitamin A, as I mentioned previously. This fat-soluble vitamin, found in your liver, contributes not only to your baby’s health but yours too!

 

References:

https://www.thebabbleout.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-food-guide/

http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/prenatal/folic.shtml

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamin-b/

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/nutrition/a/908_folate_food.htm

http://www.babycenter.com/0_vitamin-a-in-your-pregnancy-diet_675.bc

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/eating-right-when-pregnant

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-hew-folate-foods11-2009may11,0,4225457.story

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DIGESTIVE ENZYMES AND WHY YOU NEED THEM!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/2085739779/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Our body is a brilliant, well-oiled machine, working hard to ensure our food is digested properly, and appropriate nutrients are dispersed. A major catalyst for many important chemical reactions in the body is a group of molecules called digestive enzymes.

We ingest digestive enzymes through uncooked foods like raw fruit and vegetables. Without them, the body has to rely on its own digestive enzymes, which can put our body through a significant amount of stress. More importantly, the pancreas produces less and less digestive enzymes over the years, which is why it is so crucial ingest them as we get older.

For those of you unsure of the role enzymes play in the body, they are energized molecules that help us to digest our food, feed our brains, and assist with cell regeneration. Essentially our digestive enzymes are important for the break down and absorption of nutrients in the body. When we over cook or over heat our food at certain temperatures, digestive enzymes are destroyed, ultimately taking away from their longevity in our bodies. This also compromises our immune system because it lowers your resistance to illness, ultimately decreasing your life span.

Having a vitamin rich diet consisting of raw fruits and veggies is absolutely vital for a healthy digestive system. Keep your cooked foods to a minimum. Why make your body work so hard? It is on your side, after all. Keep it running strong!

References:

http://www.yourbodycanheal.com/enzymes.html

 

 

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