How To Relieve Allergy Symptoms With Essential Oils

Allergies are a major bummer that can cause anything from rashes and itchiness to respiratory and digestive problems. They make you miserable and keep you from performing at your best. One way to treat allergy symptoms is through the use of essential oils, a natural therapeutic method known and used for centuries. 

Here Is a List of Tips on How To Relieve Allergy Symptoms With Essential Oils:

Tip 1: Lavender Oil

Lavender oil works well as an organic antihistamine to soothe skin rashes. It can also be used to relieve headaches. Not only does it relieve the pain, but it smells great, too. All you have to do is dab some on the rash three times a day. For headache relief, place a drop of lavender oil on your cheeks, forehead, and sinuses.

In most cases, undiluted lavender oil can be safe to use, but some people’s skin is so sensitive, they require a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil. Mix 1 drop of lavender oil to 1 teaspoon carrier oil.

Tip 2: Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has a strong, minty aroma that soothes allergies, especially ones related to digestive or respiratory issues. It eases breathing and treats congestion. For digestive problems, add a drop of peppermint oil into a cup of tea or water.

To relieve sinus congestion, add 1 drop of peppermint oil to 1 teaspoon carrier oil and apply near your nostrils. (Don’t put peppermint oil inside the nostrils. It will burn sensitive tissue.)

Tip 3: Lemon Oil

Lemon oil works as an antihistamine and a congestion reliever all at once. It’s most potent when combined with lavender and peppermint, which will be explained later.

Tip 4: Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil treats seasonal allergies and asthma attacks. First, dilute the oil in a carrier oil (1 drop of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of your carrier oil), then apply to neck, chest, or feet. If you prefer to breathe it in, mix a few drops in hot water, drape a towel over your head, and inhale the steam.

Tip 5: Roman Chamomile Oil

Roman Chamomile oil works well to soothe rashes and other skin conditions. All you have to do is dilute it in a carrier oil and apply to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.

Depending on the area of application, you may have to change your mixing ratios. For example, in more sensitive skin areas it is recommended to dilute 1 drop of Roman Chamomile in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. For less sensitive areas, dilute 2 drops of Roman Chamomile in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.

Tip 6: Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender Oils

As mentioned earlier, lemon is at its strongest when mixed with peppermint and lavender. Together, they soothe inflammation and other pain that results from allergic reactions. One way to use them is to mix all three in a glass of water and gargle a few minutes before swallowing. (Make sure the oils can be safely ingested first before doing this.) Another way is to add them to a teaspoon of honey and swallow for faster relief.

To use on the skin, mix 3 drops of lavender, 3 drops of peppermint, and 3 drops of lemon oil with 2 teaspoons of your chosen carrier oil. If this mixture is still too potent for you, add more teaspoons of carrier oil in increments of one until you are satisfied with the consistency. Some people are more sensitive to oils than others.

Conclusion

Now that you know the variety of ways to treat your allergies with essential oils, give them a try. To learn more about essential oils, subscribe for email updates at Essential Oil Advocate and get 2 free audiobooks on essential oils and aromatherapy.

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If You’re Sick, Chances Are, Candida Is the Foundation of Your Illness

The most common fungus to negatively affect humans, Candida albicans, primarily colonizes the skin and the mucosal membranes of the mouth, genitals, and digestive tract. There are also a few other types of Candida that can impact our health as well; all strains respond well to naturopathic treatment.

Conventional medical experts say that from 30-70% of the present population have a benign colonization of this yeast. I would bet any well trained naturopath will tell you that more than 90% of the population host a Candida colonization and most of them are not benign, not in our modern, processed, easy-food society. In addition, I am yet to meet anyone suffering from any illness, who is not dealing with an overabundance of Candida.

When Candida leads to disease, conventional medical belief states that the infection can be localized, invasive, or systemic. Alternative medical belief would argue that a local infection such as a skin infection, vaginitis, or thrush is an indication that the gut, and likely the whole rest of the body, is already overwhelmed. Lending credence to this belief is the fact that the fastest way to kill any type of Candida infection, and insure it does not come right back, revolves around balancing the gut microbes.

The Candida connection with allergies, asthma, and dermatitis has long been accepted. Current research suggests Candida antigens may trigger celiac and Crohn’s disease. Even though these links of Candida to disease are acknowledged, the conventional medical community is hesitant to understand and accept the role of Candida in patients with multiple complaints often labeled as either non-specific autoimmune disease or more often as psychosomatic illness. These symptoms include fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, rashes, dysuria, urinary frequency, vaginitis, and more. Nor do they realize Candida is so often the underlying cause for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, environmental exposure syndrome, and central sensitization syndrome. Candida even effects the brain, and can be the precursor to many different mental illnesses from depression to schizophrenia. In other words, when the immune system goes belly up, Candida is almost always a major factor, if not, one of the few basic causes, though this connection is often overlooked or ignored.

There are more than 200 species of Candida, but less than a dozen affect humans. Candida alternate in form from budding yeast cells called blastospores to hyphae, thread-like filaments that bore through tissue and individual cells. The fact that it can alternate back and forth in form makes it harder for the immune system to respond to it. We are now discovering that it can produce slightly differing hyphae in different parts of the body, again creating a different immune response.

Candida is controlled or eliminated through diet and supplements, but studies have shown it often reoccurs. Since the same studies showed diet was the most important factor in eliminating the overgrowth, it only stands to reason that dietary changes need to be a lifelong commitment. A return to a standard American diet is a return to disease. A healthy diet, though not as restrictive as a diet designed to kill Candida, will help prevent a recurrence.

Candida overgrowth is certainly linked to antibiotic use, but it is also clearly a by-product of our sugar laden, processed, frankenscience American diet. If you are experiencing allergies, depression, slow healing, a weak immune system, dizzy spells, brain fog, insomnia, migraines, or any autoimmune problems such as chemical sensitivities, unexplained fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, or similar symptoms, get the Candida that is in your body under control and know that eating well, eating a truly healthy diet is essential in keeping Candida at bay.

Believe it or not, chances are you eat too much sugar. Even most of us health nuts do. Sugar from fruit is fine when the fruit is whole, but sweet fruit and vegetable juices, agave, honey, brown rice syrup, and any refined sugar feeds Candida. To learn more about Candida and how to fight it, check out How To Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem.

Recommended Supplements:
Further Reading:
Sources:
  •  Stephen Olmstead, MD; Dennis Meiss, PhD; and Janet Ralston,BS, Candida, Fungal-Type Dysbiosis, and Chronic Disease: Exploring the Nature of theYeast Connection, Townsend Letter, June 2012


Allergy Free in Five Days (foods, dander, dust, seasonal, etc.)

I used to have allergies. Many foods were on my allergy list as well as pollen, dust, bug bites, bees, cats, and sometimes dogs. I was able to rid myself of all of these allergies. I can even eat foods that once put me in the hospital.

For many people, allergies are their only health issue. I know young people that have never known significant illness other than allergies. There are also plenty of health nuts who have learned all they could  about natural health, brought their body to a healthier state, and still have allergies left to deal with.

Allergies tend to be thought of by even the most unconventional naturopaths as a genetic curse. If you have them, you have them, and you’re stuck with them. But in every single case that I have ever had where somebody asked me what they can do to eliminate their allergies, when the person followed through with my advise, they all were able to rid themselves of allergies.

Sugar Causes Allergies

In most cases, at least 9 out of 10, eliminating sugar does the trick. This includes agave nectar, carrot and beet juice, brown rice syrup, sugar cane juice, fructose, molasses, and any other refined sugar.  Sugar feeds Candida. Candida multiply and poop. Their poop is toxic to us. It doesn’t matter what kind of sugar it is, Candida eat sugar.

Wheat Causes Allergies

Wheat is not what it used to be. The protein molecule is different. It’s been changed into a protein our bodies cannot digest. It’s toxic to us. It’s causing serious digestion problems. This leads to allergies. Also, bread is made with lots of refined ingredients that feed our parasites like sugar does.

Alcohol Causes Allergies

Alcohol is very toxic to the body. The damage that alcohol does feeds parasites like Candida and bacteria. Alcohol puts a toll on the liver, and an overtaxed liver almost always leads to allergies.

Alcohol contains fermented yeast and sugars – both ingredients that feed the Candida already living in your body. To top it off, alcohol acts as a stimulant that triggers the release of blood sugar stores, thus making sugar for the Candida.

Alcohol kills friendly bacteria.

There is another interesting aspect to alcohol and yeast. Every living thing that eats must create waste on the other end. Usually that waste is toxic (poisonous) to the organism. Not so with yeast. The alcoholic by –products it creates can actually serve as a fertilizer to help it grow further. This explains why various researchers have indicated that everyone who drinks alcohol regularly (daily or a few times weekly) is likely harboring Candida overgrowth. – What Causes a Candida Yeast Infection

Refined Foods Causes Allergies

White flour, any kind of flour, white rice, chips, and processed “healthy” junk foods are all refined sugars to the body.

Dairy Causes Allergies

Pasteurized and homogenized cow’s milk is hard on our liver and it feeds all parasites just as well as sugar.

Allergy Free in Just 5 Days!

If you’re someone who takes care of yourself, eating lots of produce and avoiding refined foods, maybe you simply need to make that last step into total health by eliminating some fruit and the few refined sugars remaining in your diet. If this is you, you’ll likely find yourself allergy free in just a few days of very clean eating.

If you think you eat very well but still have some allergies, take a week to eliminate all sweets (including fake sugars), even fruit, and see how things change. Then slowly introduce fruit back into your diet and find your tipping point.

But lots of people are not nearly so healthy. If you have an impaired gut, you’ll have to heal the gut microbiome to get rid of allergies.

You may be thinking to yourself, “Well what can I eat?” Whole foods. Fresh raw produce is the best. Vegetables are better than fruit, especially for those who suffer from Candida overgrowth. It won’t take long to feel remarkably better eating this way. It’s no more than a week out of your life to find out if this is right for you. Give it a try. And then you can slowly work with your diet to figure out your specific triggers that cause allergies. For me it’s alcohol. I rarely drink, but when I do, if it’s more than a couple of drinks, my allergies creep back.

Candida overgrowth is the most common cause of allergy reactions. For those with serious Candida overgrowth issues (such as dealing with candida for years or recent antibiotics use), we recommend SF722, FloraMend, and Intestinal Cleanse, and check out the further reading below. Give it a try and let us know how it goes for you. If you’re skeptical, that’s understandable, but know that Green Lifestyle Market offers a 100% 6-month money back guarantee on the supplements. But be careful, and as always, use your best judgment.

Further Reading:
Recommended Supplements:


Are You Suffering From Histamine Intolerance?

As a clinician, it is imperative that I understand all different types of unique health problems and metabolic challenges. On a biochemical level what may be a superfood for one individual may be poison to another. Histamine intolerance is an area where this is the case.

People who are unable to effectively metabolize histamines must restrict their consumption of many foods that I typically recommend on a regular basis. If you have a histamine intolerance, consuming histamine rich foods can lead to chronic health issues such as allergies, asthma, sinus problems, eczema, chronic pain, menstrual problems, and much more.

I always wondered about what was happening with individuals who told me they were “allergic to the sun.” Interesting research is indicating this is a histamine response, as UV light can trigger histamine release. Other research is indicating that those susceptable may have problems with high-intensity exercise, especially done in a warm environment. Individuals with periods of high estrogen may have higher than normal histamine responses and high stress increases histamine levels and decreases the bodies ability to metabolize the histamine.

What is Histamine?

Histamine is an in important neurotransmitter and immune messenger molecule. It is involved in processes involving hydrochloric acid secretion for digestion, triaging water reserves to key areas of the body and the inflammatory response. Histamine receptors are located all over the body and have many important functions including:

  • Histamine H1 receptors: Smooth muscle and endothelial cells affecting skin; blood vessels (Benadryl and Claritin block activity of these receptors)
  • Histamine H2 receptors: Cells in the intestines control acid secretion, abdominal pain, and nausea; heart rate
  • Histamine H3 receptors: Central nervous system controlling nerves, sleep, appetite and behavior
  • Histamine H4 receptors: Thymus, small intestine, spleen, colon, bone marrow and white blood cells; inflammatory response

One of the major effects of histamine is causing the blood vessels to swell and dilate. When the body senses that it is threatened, it will secrete higher amounts of histamine. This allows the white blood cells to quickly move through the bloodstream and find the potential threat or infection. This is an important component to a healthy immune response.

When Does Histamine Become a Problem?

Histamine only becomes a problem when we have metabolic disturbances that do not allow us to effectively metabolize histamine properly. When histamine is formed it is broken down by specific enzymes. In the central nervous system it is metabolized by hitamine N-methyltransferase (HMT), while in the digestive tract it is broken down by diamine oxidase (DAO).

The experts state that DAO is the major enzyme involved in histamine metabolism. The enzyme converts the histamine into imidazole acetaldehyde which does not trigger any sort of reaction in the body. DAO is responsible for ensuring a steady histamine level required for the balance of numerous chemical reactions taking place in the body.

Some individuals have altered DAO production due to a number of different factors including:

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – some gut microbes produce high amounts of histamines as a byproduct of their metabolism.

Copper, Vitamin C, and B6 Deficiency: Copper and Vit C are crucial components of the DAO enzyme and B6 is a key cofactor that enables DAO to degrade histamine.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: Intestinal permeability creates major inflammatory stress in the body which can contribute to poor DAO function.

Genetic Polymorphisms in DAO enzyme – this can be seen on the 23andme SNP’s. A homozygous DAO would make someone more susceptible to developing a histamine intolerance.

Use of Certain Medications

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin)
  • Antidepressants (Cymbalta, Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft)
  • Immune modulators (Humira, Enbrel, Plaquenil)
  • Antiarrhythmics (propanolol, metaprolol, Cardizem, Norvasc)
  • Antihistamines (Allegra, Zyrtec, Benadryl)
  • Histamine (H2) blockers (Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac)

According to expert Dr. Amy Myers MD, “Histamine blockers, a class of acid-reducing drugs, seem like they would help prevent histamine intolerance. These medications can actually deplete DAO levels in your body.”

According to Chris Kresser L.AC, “Histamine is different than typical food sensitivities or allergens in that it is a cumulative problem.” So we begin to have symptoms when we either take in too many histamine molecules or we reduce the DAO enzyme to the point where the histamines overload the system. These symptoms will last until the body metabolizes the histamines and removes them from the system.

Who Has Histamine Intolerance

According to available research, histamine intolerance manifests in approximately 3% of the population. In up to 20% of these cases the symptoms occur mostly when histamine containing foods are used in combination with DAO inhibitors such as alcohol. Approximately 80% of individuals with histamine intolerance are women and most of them are over 40.

The three biggest factors involved with histamine intolerance include leaky gut syndrome or related disorders such as Crohn’s disease, Irritable bowel, celiac, gluten sensitivity, etc. The second factor is a genetic polymorphism with the DAO enzyme. Heavy alcohol and/or medication usage is another strong risk factor.

Diagnosing Histamine Intolerance

This is a challenging condition to diagnose for a number of reasons. The first is that there are so many popular foods, many of which are considered health foods, that are high in histamines. Also, some individuals have a unique gut flora that is producing high histamine levels.

Most doctors are not familiar with histamine intolerance and never consider this as a contributing factor in the individual’s health challenges. In fact, many physicians including myself, typically recommend a diet high in histamine containing foods. This includes fermented foods which have incredible health benefits for those with adequate histamine metabolism.

Research has also shown that people react quite differently to elevated histamine making it that much harder to pinpoint. As a clinician, I have learned that when individuals react very poorly to fermented foods it is a sign of histamine intolerance. Most people respond very well to small amounts and gradually increasing levels of fermented foods. Individuals with histamine intolerances often break out with hives, eczema, rashes, puffy eyes, headaches, etc.

Common Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance Include:

  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Difficulty falling asleep, easy arousal
  • Hypertension
  • Vertigo or Dizziness
  • Arrhythmia, or accelerated heart rate
  • Difficulty regulating body temperature
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea, Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Flushing
  • Nasal Congestion, Sneezing, Difficulty Breathing
  • Abnormal Menstrual Cycle
  • Hives
  • Fatigue
  • Tissue swelling

Histamines travel throughout the bloodstream and therefore can effect the gut, lungs, skin, brain and entire cardiovascular system. This is why there are such a wide array of health problems associated with it and it is quite challenging to pinpoint and diagnose if you are not aware of the condition.

Testing For Histamine Intolerance

The 23andme genetic test will look at genes associated with DAO enzyme production. When an individual has a homozygous mutation they will most likely struggle with histamine metabolism. This may not occur until after a stressful season of their life when their gut barrier breaks down and their adrenal glands are unable to keep up with the demands placed upon them. This creates a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and inflammatory stress that depletes the body of vital reserves and exposes the genetic weaknesses of the individual.

There are lab tests that can be done that analyze the ratio of histamine/DAO. A high histamine/DAO ratio indicates that one is ingesting too much histamine and is not producing enough DAO to effectively metabolize it.

Without getting the blood test you could do a histamine challenge by consuming a number of different fermented foods and high histamine foods and see if this aggravates your symptoms. If so, try a low-histamine diet for a week and if you notice significant improvements you most likely have histamine intolerance.

To improve your tolerance to histamine, it is critical to heal the gut and address the dysbiotic issues that are at the root of the problem. I would recommend working with a qualified health practitioner to assess and create a specific plan to address the bacterial imbalance.

Foods High in Histamines:

Some foods naturally have more histamine content while others accumulate histamines while they age. Fermented and dried foods typically have the highest levels of histamines. A low histamine diet must be focused around getting foods at their peak level of freshness. Here is a list of high histamine foods:

  • Fermented alcoholic beverages, especially wine, champagne and beer
  • Fermented foods: sauerkraut, vinegar, soy sauce, kefir, yogurt, kombucha, etc
  • Vinegar-containing foods: pickles, mayonnaise, olives
  • Cured meats: bacon, salami, pepperoni, luncheon meats and hot dogs
  • Soured foods: sour cream, sour milk, buttermilk, soured bread, etc.
  • Dried fruit: apricots, prunes, dates, figs, raisins
  • Most citrus fruits
  • Aged cheese including goat cheese
  • Nuts: walnuts, cashews, and peanuts
  • Vegetables: avocados, eggplant, spinach, and tomatoes
  • Smoked fish and certain species of fish: mackerel, mahi-mahi, tuna, anchovies, sardines
  • Processed foods of all types – Preservatives are high in histamines

Histamine-Releasing Foods

These foods do not necessarily contain histamine but they block the action of DAO and therefore they potentiate the effects of elevated histamines.

  • Alcohol
  • Bananas
  • Chocolate
  • Cow’s Milk
  • Nuts
  • Papaya
  • Pineapple
  • Shellfish
  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Wheat Germ
  • Many artificial preservatives and dyes

DAO-Blocking Foods

  • Alcohol
  • Energy drinks
  • Black tea
  • Mate tea
  • Green tea 

Low Histamine Foods

  • Freshly Cooked Meat & Poultry (frozen or fresh)
  • Freshly Caught Fish
  • EV Olive Oil
  • Pasture-Raised Eggs
  • Gluten-Free Grains: brown rice & quinoa
  • Fresh Fruits: Other than citrus, avocado, tomato, pineapple, bananas and strawberries
  • Fresh Vegetables (except spinach and eggplant)
  • Coconut Milk, Rice Milk, Hemp Milk, Almond Milk
  • Coconut Oil & Grass-fed Butter/Ghee
  • Organic Coffee
  • Almond Butter
  • Leafy Herbs
  • Herbal Teas

Unique Variables with Histamine Intolerance

People with histamine intolerance react in a multitude of different ways as shown in this study. Some people cannot handle any high histamine foods while others can handle certain types but not others.

As an example, an individual may tolerate avocados, berries, and lemons quite well but have significant reactions with any sort of fermented foods or wine. You will have to find the unique ways that you react and understand what triggers reactions and what doesn’t.

Overtime, as histamine content is reduced and the individual improves their gut health, reduces inflammation, improves liver function and stabilizes their adrenals they will be able to handle more of the histamines. For some, this will mean they will be able to incorporate small amounts of all the higher histamine foods. For others they will only be able to handle certain foods while others will continue to trigger reactions.

What This Means to You

If you struggle with major symptoms listed above when you have the various high histamine foods you may have this problem. In particular, if you struggle with fermented foods and probiotic supplements this is a classic sign of histamine intolerance.

Chances are you do not have this problem, but you may come across a friend or a client (for those of you who are health coaches and doctors) who will have these signs and symptoms. If so, have them try a low-histamine diet for a week and see if it makes a difference. If so, then continue on the diet and work with a functional medicine practitioner to support the gut and detoxification systems.

If you are suffering from an acute histamine reactions, taking 10 grams of liposomal vitamin C and taking DAO enzymes or high dose proteolytic enzymes can help to reduce the effects of this. A diet rich in the flavoinoid luteolin has been shown to reduce mast cell activation. This is found in carrots, bell peppers, thyme, rosemary, peppermint, oregano, romaine lettuce, artichoke, pomegranate, chocolate, rooibus tea, buckwheat sprouts and cucumbers among other things.

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Beat Seasonal Allergies Naturally

Seasonal allergies, often called hay fever, are symptoms that occur during specific times of the year.  Symptoms usually occurs at times when outdoor molds release their spores or when plants release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants.  Allergies are an indication of a malcoordinated immune system.  Natural strategies cn be used to beat seasonal allergies once and for all.

In the mid-Atlantic states, tree pollination occurs between February and May, grass pollination occurs in May through June, and weeds pollinate from August through October.  Mold spores usually increase between mid-summer and fall.  Stronger symptoms during one of these periods helps to identify the particular allergy.

Malcoordinated Immunity

Allergies occur when the immune system is uncoordinated.  This can occur from some major bodily stressor that interferes with the natural maturity and function of the immune system.  Due to environmental challenges early in life, many individuals never develop a normal immune response and are prone to allergic reactions throughout their life.  Others encounter some sort of an immune insult during the course of their life that throws their immune system out of control

The most common immune insults include physical trauma that damages the upper cervical spine.  This form of trauma could include a slip or fall, a car accident, bad sleeping habits, or poor posture.  This leads to an upper cervical (neck) subluxation that puts pressure on the brain stem.  Upper cervical subluxations lead to badly coordinated immunity and allergic reactions in many individuals.

Family Strategies to Reduce Risk of Allergies

There are some great strategies a family could take to ensure that children will not develop allergies.  Before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during lactation moms should optimize their vitamin D3 levels to 60-100 ng/ml.  They should also boost their microbial friends by eating raw fruits and vegetables and fermented foods and by taking probiotic supplements.  They should stabilize their omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratios by eating grass-fed meats and wild-caught fish and purified fish oil supplements.  SAnd, of course, they should completely avoid processed foods and foods cooked with inferior vegetable oils.

The newborn baby should be exclusively breast fed for at least the first 6 months and ideally the first 12-18 months.  Mother’s milk provides valuable immunoglobins early in life that play an enormous role in supporting the infant’s immune system as it matures.  Mother’s milk is also a rich source of medium chain saturated fats such as lauric acid that help feed and strengthen immune cells.  Mother’s milk provides IgA and probiotics which inoculate the baby’s gut and give it a defense against dangerous intestinal microbes that can cause damage to the gut lining.

Vaccinated Children and Allergies

Vaccinated children are much more susceptible to allergies.  In fact, a 2010 study found that 40% of vaccinated children reported to have at least one allergy, whereas less than 10% of children who were not vaccinated reported an allergy.  The same study showed that almost 11% of vaccinated children have seasonal allergies whereas only 2.5% of non-vaccinated children have this condition.

Beating allergies includes an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.  This is done by rebuilding the intestinal wall with probiotics and fermented foods.  De-inflaming the body also involves avoiding inflammatory foods and consuming whole foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants.  Finally, optimizing vitamin D levels and drinking ample amounts of purified water is very important.

Chiropractic Care for Optimal Immunity:

Chiropractic care to remove upper cervical subluxations and restore proper structural and neurological function to the spine and nervous system is especially critical.  This includes very specific adjustment applied to release pressure on the brain stem region and specific exercises to maintain this correction and improve postural abnormalities.

Related Reading:
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Is Milk Good For You?

For the purposes of this article, unless otherwise stated, when we say milk we mean pasteurized, homogenized, conventional cow’s milk.

While I have yet to see an actual study that proves milk is good for you, there are countless studies out there that state that calcium is good for you and you can get it by drinking milk. This is true. Statements such as this sum it up perfectly: “Indeed, it is impossible in a diet based on conventional foods to obtain adequate intakes of calcium if milk and dairy products are not consumed.”1

They’re correct. But consider a conventional diet: microwaved dinners, cereal, and frozen vegetables at best. Maybe a salad made with pre-packaged iceberg lettuce, a few pieces of romaine lettuce, some shredded carrots and Hidden Valley ranch salad dressing when it’s supper time. With the soda most Americans drink, which leaches minerals including calcium from the body in order to keep the blood’s PH at 7.4, it’s no wonder milk can do a body good. So does this mean milk is good for you?

Most alternative health care practitioners and a growing number of conventional doctors say “no”. They know milk is a major source of allergen in people, especially children. Okay, so maybe a more realistic statement would be, “Milk is good for you, unless you are one of the millions who are allergic or intolerant.” On the other hand, milk allergy or not, on the holistic side of health, it’s not uncommon to have relief from other allergies when one stops consuming milk. In fact, most alternative health care practitioners will tell you before you do anything else, “Stop consuming dairy and refined sugars!”

There are so many studies. Some say milk may make you fat2, while others claim milk helps you lose weight. Some studies state that milk can help prevent heart disease3 while others claim the opposite is true4.

Many people advocate drinking raw milk, which is unpasteurized and non-homogenized. We at OLM are not fans of pasteurization or homogenization at all. And milk does contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals and very easily assimilable protein. Some argue that it is not at all easy for humans to absorb the calcium from cow’s milk, but others say that you can if it’s raw.

So what’s our take on the milk issue? Cows have four stomachs. Humans have one. Raw cow’s milk from a healthy cow is a much better choice than the homogenized and pasteurized varieties, but there is still some minor risk of food poisoning (though if the cow and the human ingesting the milk are healthy, the risk is extremely low). This is what confuses many. “Healthy” and “Safe” are not the same things. Raw milk, provided it is not tainted with e-coli, is healthier than pasteurized milk. But the pasteurization of milk does make it safer to consume. For health, raw sheep’s milk is a better choice, and raw human milk is the best. Isn’t it silly that the idea of human milk is disgusting to many people, yet cow’s milk is the norm? Come on, guys, would you rather suck on a cow’s udder, or… Well, you know.

So how do you get enough calcium? You may have heard us say this before: At least 80% of your diet should be raw fresh fruits and vegetables, mostly vegetables. And if you want to get more vitamin D, we recommend sunlight.

If you are an animal lover, there is also the animal cruelty issue to consider when evaluating milk as a part of your diet. The intensive dairy practices for milking cows for any type of milk significantly reduce the animal’s lifespan. If you’re considering giving up cow’s milk all together and need a little extra push, check out the video on the right and this website for some more information.

Organic or not, a dairy cow’s life is not a pretty picture.

Editor’s Note:

As a child I was sick regularly. I had many allergies and other health issues. Eliminating milk made a huge difference in my quality of life. The last time I drank a glass of milk, years ago, it immediately made me feel terrible.