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Naturopathic Consultations – Now Available

Chloe Orford — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:20:17 +0000

Are you sick of suffering with allergies, food sensitivities or constant sinus congestion and have no clue where to start?

Or perhaps you suffer with skin problems like acne, keratosis pilaris and eczema or other complicated health problems that you need help with.

See me and i will take all the guess work out of it for you.

If you are interested in a naturopathic consultation, there is now an opening special for your first consultation!

Save $49 and pay only $50 (usually $99)! Spots are limited so please book before the 1st of July to receive this discount.

Book your Naturopathic appointment today.

To find out what to expect from your consultation – please read further.

What to Expect – Initial Naturopathic Consultation

Typically, your first consultation is 1 hour long focusing on gathering information about your current state of health.

This information will give me a better understanding on the causative factors that are contributing to your health conditions, so that the symptoms and underlying problems are being addressed for long term results.

To get a more accurate picture of your current state of health and what may be causing your health concerns there are a few tests that are taken out during the initial consultation.

Tests During The Consultation

1. Zinc Tally Test
If you are deficient in this mineral, it can make you more prone to acne, other skin problems, allergies, colds and infections. Zinc deficiency is one of the most prevalent mineral deficiencies worldwide.

It is essential for healthy skin, wound healing, regulation of hormones and for a healthy immune system.

2. Urinary Indicans Test
An overgrowth of bacteria or yeast in your digestive system can be a big contributing factor to allergies and food sensitivities/intolerances.

This test shows us if there is a problem in your digestive system that needs to be addressed.

3. Urine & Saliva pH Testing
If the pH of your body gets out of balance by becoming too acidic your body will suffer immensely causing excess stress on your body to try and right the pH to a more alkaline one. Harmful effects of acidity include:

Digestive Problems –heart burn, acid reflux, overgrowth of bacteria and yeast in the digestive system leaving you more prone to allergies and skin problems
Headaches
Inflammation of joints
Lack of energy
Premature aging
Insomnia
Poor detoxification of toxins
Problems losing weight – Fat is an excellent binding agent necessary for storing toxins in your body to prevent it from doing any harm. This may be a cause to poor weight loss as your body may be holding onto this fat because your body is too toxic

After all of the testing has been done, I will go through with you a preliminary treatment plan to start on straight away so that you can begin addressing your health concerns. This may include dietary changes, herbal or nutritional supplements.

I encourage you to come back to me within 2 weeks so that I can provide you with a treatment strategy outline for all of your health concerns.

Treatment Program Follow Up Appointment – ½ hr

During this appointment, I will discuss with you the treatment plan that I have tailored for you that addresses all of the causative factors that I received from your first consultation.

I will show you the outline of the treatment plan so you have an understanding of what to expect from week to week so that you are completely informed on every part of your journey with me.

You will be given a dietary outline to follow, as well as prescribed nutritional and herbal supplements to support your body throughout the healing process.

Review Appointments – ½ hr

These appointments are scheduled anywhere between 2-4 weeks depending on the treatment plan given.

Each step of the treatment progress will require different nutritional/herbal supplements and lifestyle changes which I will explain in these review appointments. I will also assess how well you are doing on the plan and if you are happy with your progress.

If necessary, there may be slight changes in the treatment plan depending on your progress.

Make Your Appointment Today

Contact Complexion Code for your Naturopathic Appointment with me Chloe Orford on (07) 3862 2778.
or
Email chloe@complexioncode.com.au

Please mention the discount when booking your appointment.

Where Are We Located?

We are located at 278 Sandgate Road, Albion QLD (Next to Chemworld Pharmacy).

You may find street parking along Sandgate Road, at the Albion public parking carpark, or parking at the Albion Hotel.

Pricing

Initial Naturopathic Consultation- $50 (usually $99) Valid Until 31-7-10 Spots are limited
Follow Up Appointments ½ hour – $60
Food Sensitivity Testing with Initial Naturopathic Consultation – $249 (usually $298)

(click for more details)

Seborrheic Dermatitis – Natural Honey Treatment

Chloe Orford — Wed, 26 May 2010 05:41:17 +0000

Research has demonstrated that an application of honey to Seborrheic Dermatitis can help relieve itching and scaling in as little as one week and even heal it completely!

I know it sounds too good to be true, but raw honey (unprocessed) has naturally occurring antibacterial and antifungal properties. So it makes sense that it helps reduce the itching of Seborrheic Dermatitis as this is exacerbated by the yeast Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum Ovale).

This yeast has infinity for the sebaceous glands as it requires the oil to survive, grow and replicate. So you can commonly find Seborrheic Dermatitis where the sebaceous glands are most prominent.

Where Is Seborrheic Dermatitis Located?

The face and scalp are the most common areas to see Seborrheic Dermatitis, especially around the nose, on the nasal creases, eye lids, eyebrows, and also behind the ears.

When affecting the scalp it is commonly called ‘dandruff’, when it occurs in babies it is called ‘cradle cap’.

When the yeast grows rapidly, the cell renewal of the skin is disturbed and can result in Seborrheic Dermatitis which is characterised by itchy, red, flaking, scaly skin.

It also has been hypothesized that there may be an abnormal immune response to this naturally occurring yeast on the skin resulting in inflammation producing the skin problem.

None the less, it would be very beneficial for you with Seborrheic Dermatitis to use natural antifungal treatments to help manage the growth of yeast on the skin in turn reducing the itchiness and the redness.

Step By Step Treatment

I am recommending here what was demonstrated in the clinical trial of thirty patients with the topical honey treatment on Seborrheic Dermatitis lesions.

Step 1. Apply a diluted raw honey mixture (90% honey diluted in warm water) directly to the Seborrheic Dermatitis lesions, of the scalp, face, chest or wherever it is located. Do so every two, to three days for 4 weeks. (Apply after cleansed skin)
Step 2. Gently rub the diluted honey into the lesions for 2-3 minutes
Step 3. Leave the honey on for 3 hours
Step 4. Rinse the honey off with warm water

When to Expect Results

According to the trial, within one week the itching and scaling had disappeared.

In the second week, the skin lesions were healing and some had disappeared completely by the end of the second week.
Those who had the skin lesions on their scalp with associated hair loss received a marked improvement in the rate of their hair loss, decreasing dramatically.

The patients who were treated once weekly for the following 6 months (15 patients) after the initial 4 week treatment did not show any relapse of the skin condition. The other 15 patients who stopped treatment had relapse of the lesions within 2-4 months.

What Else Contributes to Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Applying the honey treatment will greatly provide you with fast relief of the skin condition. Whilst you do the external treatment it may also be beneficial for you to look into the deeper underlying causes to your skin condition.

Other factors that have been associated in causing Seborrheic Dermatitis are:

Candida Overgrowth – Candida is another type of fungal infection found in the digestive system tract and is commonly found in Seborrheic Dermatitis sufferers.
Food Allergies/Sensitivities – Getting tested for food sensitivities may be a good idea to determine what foods trigger your skin condition.
High Fat Diet – The use of a lot of bad fats in the diet can create a worsening of the skin condition
Poor Immune System Function – Low immunity can make you more prone to fungal infections, viruses and bacteria.
Nutrient Deficiencies – Deficiencies of Zinc and B vitamins can lower you immune system but also increase sebum production that could contribute to Seborrheic Dermatitis
High Refined Sugar Intake – Sugar can trigger Seborrheic Dermatitis by suppressing the immune system and being a source of food for the yeast.

There you go, a natural skin care treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis – but please don’t forget to look at your body holistically and what you can change in your lifestyle or diet that will give you a healthier body and healthier skin!

Also, just a warning – please do not use honey on open wounds like ulcerations or cuts as it can actually make it worse. When using honey on open wounds and cuts only use the medicated wound care and not just the straight raw honey as it has been treated in such a way that it is safe to use.

References

1. Al-Waili NS. Therapeutic and Prophylatic Effects of Crude Honey on Chronic Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff. Eur J Med Res, 2001 July 30:6(7) 306-308.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Natural Treatment Guide

Post Nasal Drip – Causes and Treatment

Chloe Orford — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:55:42 +0000

Is your nose constantly dripping? Perhaps you can feel something running down the back of your throat.

Are you familiar with that constant ‘eh hem’ sound you make whilst you clear your throat of mucus?

Constant coughing and chest infections can be caused from excessive dripping of mucus down the throat. Yep mucus is a great breeding ground for infections!

If you have the above symptoms, you may have what is termed ‘post nasal drip.’

Why Does Post Nasal Drip Occur?

There can be two forms of post nasal drip – thick and sticky that can often be yellow/green indicating an infection or it can be thin and watery. Both types of post nasal drip have very different causes.

Thick and Sticky

Thick and sticky post nasal drip can occur as a result of an infection usually triggered by upper respiratory infections during a cold. When the sinuses aren’t being cleared properly, the excessive mucus is forced to drip down the back of the throat.

Chest infections and coughing usually result from this type of post nasal drip.

Yellow/green post nasal drip usually corrects itself after the upper respiratory infection has cleared.

If the mucus is yellow or green long term in absence of a cold, there is still an infection which must be assessed and treated by boosting the immune system and using anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents.

Where there is thick mucus without the yellow/green colour, it may be caused from the lack of moisture in the air which can dry out the mucus membranes of the nose.

This dryness forces your mucous membranes to work overtime to try and produce the mucous to protect the lining of the nose. Overcome this by ensuring you drink enough fluids to keep your body hydrated, and using a saline nasal drop to lubricate the nose.

Thin and Watery

The thin and watery type of post nasal drip tend to have it either daily or weekly in absence of an infection. There can be many triggers of this type of post nasal drip -

Food Sensitivities – I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but many people who have post nasal drip that is constant and quite chronic can be reacting to gluten or dairy. When these are eliminated, the post nasal drip tends to completely eliminate itself. If you think this may be you, going through a Naturopath or Doctor for an IgG antibody blood test will determine what foods you may be reacting to.
Environmental Irritants – Dust, dust mites, mould, animal dander and pollen can all act like an irritant in the nose in sensitive individuals. These allergens irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, making your nose produce more mucus to protect itself and trap the irritant to eliminate it. As a result post nasal drip can occur.
Cold air - Air conditioning, and cold climate can cause your nose to run more.
Spicy Foods – Spicy foods increases circulation and makes the mucus very watery causing your nose to drip

Natural Treatment

Avoid food you are sensitive to once you have been accurately tested through an IgG blood test
Bromelain – Assists with reducing swelling of the nose and inflammation that can make your nose feels like it’s blocked and you can’t blow the mucus out. It will also reduce the stickiness of the mucous if you have thick sticky post nasal drip
Quercetin - Reduces allergic responses by inhibiting histamine release from mast cells that trigger an allergic response to environmental allergens that can lead to a runny nose. This will assist those of you with post nasal drip commonly triggered by dust mites, mould, pollens and animal dander
Neti Pot - This is a tea pot shaped device that involves using a salt water solution that you use to wash out your nasal passages. Do this twice a day and it will help clear out allergens, excess mucus and any bacteria.
Avoid spicy foods- If you find that spicy foods can cause your nose to run, try to avoid it as much as you can. The worst is when you’re at a restaurant eating something super spicy and you are having to wipe your nose every 5 minutes! Curry powder, chilli,
Increase your immunity – If you are prone to sinus/chest infections caused from your post nasal drip then improving your immunity will be very beneficial to prevent these infections from occurring. Assess your diet by ensuring you are eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, minimise fried foods, junk foods and sugar, drink 1.5 – 2L of water daily. Zinc and Vitamin C are very important for healthy immunity. Herbs such as Echinacea, Olive Leaf, and Astragalus may be beneficial to take as a preventative.

Post nasal drip can be quite a mystery to treat at times, I hope that the above has given you a bigger picture into what may be causing your post nasal drip so you have a better chance of getting rid of it for good!

Please post your experiences on post nasal drip and what may or may not have worked for you.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome Part Two – Underlying Causes and Treatment

Chloe Orford — Sat, 08 May 2010 05:43:06 +0000

There are many underlying causative factors that could have initiated your sensitivity to low amounts of chemicals in your environment.

You may genetically have a poor capacity to detoxify certain chemicals – 50% of the population have this genetic tendency towards slow detoxification of chemicals. If you do not have a family history, it is still very possible to develop MCS in our modern environment.

Over exposure to large amounts of chemicals could have triggered your MCS, even viruses or severe stress can leave your immune system hypersensitive to its environment.

Often nutritional deficiencies caused from a poor diet, gastrointestinal inflammation and excess alcohol intake can greatly deplete the body of specific nutrients essential for adequate detoxification – causing more and more chemical/food sensitivities.

If your body does not have the tools it needs to detoxify chemicals properly then you are definitely going to know about it.

Symptoms such as headache, irritability, fatigue, restlessness, muscle pain and poor thinking to name a few may occur as you come in contact with chemicals your body can’t cope with.

So what can you do? You can give your body the tools it needs to function optimally and to detoxify chemicals properly.

Supporting Your Body to Heal

Avoiding chemicals that you know can affect you is of the upmost importance whilst you work on your body through dietary and lifestyle changes.

By doing so it will alleviate the symptoms that you experience so that you can at least function a lot better.

How to Avoid Chemicals in Your Environment

Avoiding chemicals completely is of course impossible and out of your control.

But what you do have control of are the chemicals used in your home – by doing the following you can greatly reduce your overall exposure to chemicals.

Eat Organic – This will help you avoid pesticides and agricultural chemicals used on spraying crops, fruits and vegetables that you could potentially ingest.
Drink Filtered water – Chlorinated water through the tap can cause problems in susceptible individuals
Avoid wearing perfumes/colognes – These often create headaches in MCS
Use unscented natural skin care and cleaning products – If you use chemical laden skin care products such as body lotions and face creams that you put on every day, you are adding to your overall toxic load as it can be absorbed through the skin. Cleaning products are full of harsh chemicals that can be inhaled as can skin care products that are highly fragranced. Look for all natural alternatives. Yes that does include makeup, shampoo/conditioner, mouthwash, toothpaste and laundry detergent.
Avoid artificial colours and flavours that are added to processed foods – Eat closest to nature as possible by organising your own meals
Avoid toxic paints – The fumes from paint can be extremely toxic to your body and can linger long after the room has been painted. Avoid this at all costs.

Optimise your diet

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables are very important to ensure that your body receives the nutrients it needs for proper detoxification. Antioxidants are also very important to protect your cells and tissues from the damage that can occur from toxic chemicals.

If you are confused on how to eat healthy, then visiting a nutritionist or a naturopath can put you on the right path to help modify your diet to suit you.

Optimise your Gastrointestinal Tract

A sluggish and unclean digestive system can cause your body to become very toxic – giving your body more work than it can handle! A healthy digestive system will help support your body to detoxify chemicals a lot better.

Think of your digestive system like a waste disposal bin. Every day you top it up with food regularly throughout the day, but before it gets really stinky and fly infested you must empty it out!

With your digestive system, it must be emptied everyday – 2-3 times is optimal but once a day is the absolute minimum. Anything less than this and you will start having problems; problems with your immune system and problems with your liver which is the main organ that detoxifies chemicals!

So to ensure you are emptying out the trash regularly you need:

Adequate fibre – Food sources such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains like oats, brown rice, whole wheat (unless you have a gluten problem) and barley, legumes, nuts and seeds. If you still have a problem getting enough fibre you can use 2 tablespoons of linseed/flaxseed meal separately or psyllium husks (but make sure you follow with a lot of water)
Healthy Bacteria – Good bacteria also known as probiotics are very important for the proper functioning of your digestive system. They prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria/candida; they assist with the absorption of nutrients and support a healthy immune system
1.5-2 Litres of Filtered Water Daily - Drinking filtered water is important so you can avoid chlorine and bacteria that may be present in normal tap water. Drinking enough water is important to soften your bowel movements so you do not become constipated

Nutritional Supplements

Though you may be eating as healthy as you can be, the foods you may be eating may not be as jam packed with nutrients as you would like to think.

The soils may have been depleted with nutrients where the foods were harvested; storing vegetables/fruits for long periods of time before being eaten can have little nutrition once they reach your mouth. Cooking your foods at high temperatures for long periods of time can also destroy the vitamins, and enzymes naturally present.

Supplementing with nutrients alongside a healthy diet may be beneficial for you to really ensure your body receives the nutrients it needs everyday for adequate detoxification.

Any of the following may be beneficial to you – but before supplementing please ensure you talk to a Naturopath or qualified health professional to ensure it is right for you.

Multivitamin

A multivitamin will give your body the minimum requirements of vitamins and mineral it needs every day. Multivitamins can be made very differently so do your research before you buy one. What you want to aim for is one that has reasonably high doses of the following:

Vitamin B1 – 20% of those of you with MCS are commonly deficient in B1. It is necessary for aldehyde detoxification that’s found in many artificial scents and fragrances
Vitamin B6 – 60% of chemical sensitive individuals have been found to be deficient in B6. It is necessary to support an amino acid Taurine with the removal of toxic chemicals
Folic Acid and B12 – A deficiency of these two nutrients are increase your sensitivity to chlorine and xenobiotics (estrogen mimicking chemicals that can have a negative impact on your hormones)

Magnesium

A deficiency in Magnesium can greatly affect your detoxifying capacity, as it is essential in 500 enzyme systems of the body. To learn more about Magnesium and deficiency symptoms, I have covered it in more detail here.

Protein

Protein is made up of twenty amino acids that all have specific roles to play in the body. Many of them such as methionine, taurine and the branch chain amino acids are extremely important to support your liver to detoxify toxic chemicals.

If you are a vegetarian and find it difficult to receive enough protein for your body every day, then it could be a good idea to look into a vegetarian protein supplement such as pea protein or rice protein that is going to ensure you receive the amino acids needed for proper liver detoxification support.

Those of you with poor digestion may not be digesting the protein component of food adequately which can result in a deficiency in a number of amino acids needed for chemical detoxification.

To find out if your digestive system needs help please go here for more information so that you can learn how to treat your poor digestion so you can absorb these essential amino acids properly.

Liver Detoxification Supplements

Impaired liver function is often found in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity individuals as many of you have had over exposure to chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, formaldehydes and heavy metals to name a few. This exposure has increased the toxic load of your body to a point where your liver is unable to keep up.

Liver supplements supply your body with herbs and nutrients needed to support the detoxification pathways of the liver and to protect it against toxic insult from chemicals.

Using a liver formula can be very beneficial in MCS but should be cautioned – when liver detoxifying is not done properly it can have a negative impact on your health as opposed to a positive one. So if you are interested in this please seek a natural health practitioner that can assist you through the right process.

Keep Fighting

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome can be an extremely frustrating condition that can greatly reduce your quality of life. I hope that this two part series has given you a better understanding of how to support your body to heal – even though this may be a long process it is possible! So what ever you do, don’t stop trying.

Remember, your body has an amazing ability to heal but you must supply it with the right tools to do so.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome Part One – Symptoms and Triggers

Chloe Orford — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 06:52:01 +0000

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is also known as Environmental Sensitivity and is a condition that is exactly that – a hypersensitivity to low levels of chemicals found in your environment.

This condition is relatively new and is a direct result of the toxic world we live in. We are surrounded by all sorts of chemicals from the polluted air we breathe, the pesticide rich vegetable and fruits we eat, to the cleaning products we use in our homes.

Everyday we are all in contact with hundreds of different chemicals usually without even realising it. This is because our bodies have in place certain detoxifying capabilities that are able to detoxify these toxic substances adequately before producing negative effects.

Unfortunately for those of you with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, contact with the slightest amount of chemicals can negatively impact your day to day life.

For many reasons, your body has reached its detoxifying threshold and is struggling to deal with further exposure to toxic chemicals. As a result you will experience a broad range of symptoms that is communicating to you that it is struggling.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Symptoms

Those with MCS will experience a wide range of symptoms that can often occur every day.

Headaches
Disorientation
Dizziness and Faintness
Nausea
Rapid Heart Beat
Rashes
Breathing Difficulties
Gastrointestinal problems
Muscle and Joint Pain

Long term symptoms that are the most debilitating for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sufferers are;

Long Term Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Muscle aches
Memory difficulties
Mood Disturbances – Depression/Anxiety/Irritability

How is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Triggered?

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can often begin after certain situations that exposed you to abnormally large amounts of chemicals such as the installation of new carpeting, painting the house or excessive use of drugs/medications.

The excessive exposure of these toxic chemicals has caused your body to reach its saturation point where it can no longer detoxify the huge burden of toxic chemicals placed upon it.

Following this, when you come in contact with anything that requires your body to detoxify a synthetic chemical a wide range of symptoms will result.

You may begin to find that you are overly sensitive to perfumes, fragrances and odours – even the smell of a new car may make you feel nauseous and headachy.

Common MCS triggers

Knowing common triggers of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity symptoms are important to be aware of.

Though you cannot control all of these triggers, by being able to reduce the overall exposure to chemicals you will be able to reduce the amount of unpleasant symptoms that you experience.

Pesticides
Car fumes
Fragrances
Preservatives
Artificial Flavourings
Sodium Nitrate found in processed meats to preserve colour – bacon, ham, sausages, burger patties
Cleaning agents
Drugs
Alcohol
Caffeine
Air Fresheners
News Print

Reducing your exposure to chemicals is the first step you can take as a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sufferer to become more in control of your symptoms.

In Part Two I will talk about how to support the body to detoxify better so that you can better cope with exposure to chemicals.

References

1. Claudia S Miller. Chemical sensitivity: symptom, syndrome or mechanism for disease? Toxicology 1996. Volume 111, Issues 1-3, pages 69-86

2. Gibson, P R et al. Sickness-related dysfunction in persons with self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity at four levels of severity. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2008, Volume 18 Issue 1, Pages 72 – 81

Asthma – Causes and Triggers Part Two

Chloe Orford — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:52:00 +0000

Hopefully you have read Part One of Asthma – Causes and Triggers and are a little more aware of underlying causative factors that may be maintaining your chronic asthma.

Addressing these causative factors is really important because the last thing you want is for your asthma to get even worse over the next few years. So getting to the cause of it now will allow you to control it a lot better later down the track.

Prevention is the best medicine!

Here you can learn about one of the most prevalent mineral deficiencies that have been extensively researched to benefiting asthmatics. I’ve also included a few extra tips to help relieve your asthma at the end of the article.

Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in your body which means it’s extremely vital for your well being.

Unfortunately many of you will be deficient in Magnesium – and yes that included me a few years ago, restless legs, muscle twitches and lower back pain I sure don’t miss that.

A deficiency may occur purely because you’re not eating enough sources of Magnesium.

Or it could be based on the scary fact that our food is growing in mineral depleted soil and is lacking this vital mineral that our bodies need in abundance – which sure makes it difficult for asthmatics like you to receive your daily amount of Magnesium.

Low dietary intakes of Magnesium can cause impaired lung function, bronchial hyper reactivity and increased bronchial smooth muscle contractility that leads to wheezing.

Magnesium is very important for the adequate relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle. If there is a deficiency present, the contraction of smooth muscle will be greater prolonging shortness of breath.

The recommended daily allowance of Magnesium is 300-400 mg over 15 years of age. Approximately 49% of the population is deficient in Magnesium and can be due to several other factors not previously mentioned such as the depletion of Magnesium from the body due to excess sweating, stress, gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease that reduces the absorption, alcoholism and poor digestion.

Food sources of Magnesium include almonds, molasses, parsnips, soy beans, wholegrain cereals, eggs, sunflower/pumpkin seeds, brewer’s yeast, cashews and cacao.

Magnesium Supplementation

Supplementing with a Magnesium supplement may be something you may want to consider as it will ensure that you are reaching your Magnesium quota for the day. A therapeutic dose will be reached daily so that you have a higher chance of Magnesium benefiting your asthma.

When supplementing with Magnesium, I recommend avoiding the forms of Magnesium called Magnesium oxide which is cheap and nasty and causes stomach upsets. Instead opt for forms of Magnesium called amino acid chelate, aspartate and orotate.

Before supplementing with a Magnesium please talk to a qualified health professional so that you can be advised what would be most suitable for you, especially if you have any previous history of kidney disease.

Symptoms of Magnesium deficiency:

Restless leg syndrome
Muscle cramps
Anxiety
Poor sleep
Irregular heart beat
Startled easily
Cold hands and feet
Chronic Fatigue
Muscle Twitches
Fibromylagia

Some More Handy Tips

Here are a few tips that you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle which may help reduce the severity of your asthma.

Drink Gingko Biloba tea or take as a supplement – It reduces PAF (platelet activating factor) which initiates excess mucous production, and bronchospasms causing symptoms of asthma
Drink fenugreek tea – Fenugreek is a great herb for breaking down mucous which is associated with asthma.
Increase your fruit and vegetable intake – Ensure you are receiving plenty of antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables daily which naturally assist in reducing inflammation of the airways and protect against air pollutants.
Improve your immunity – Asthmatics are very prone to chest infections because of the excess mucous production that encourages a nice breeding ground for bacteria, in turn worsening your asthma. Reduce sugar and food sensitivity/allergy exposure that suppresses the immune system; take a herbal immune support formula such as Olive leaf, Echinacea root or Astragalus as a preventative.
Take Vitamin C to prevent exercise induced asthma Taking 2000 mg of Vitamin C about 1 hour prior to exercise has shown to reduce the airway hyper reactivity in some asthmatics
Make sure your digestive system is working at its absolute optimum – Ensure you have an abundance of good bacteria (probiotics) in your digestive system, ensure you have good digestion to break down your food and ensure you are having regular bowel movements. Having a strong digestive system will greatly reduce your allergies and the production of mucous that initiates asthma attacks.
Reduce your salt intake – Reducing your salt intake has been shown to reduce exercise induced asthma.

Note – If you are on any other medication please talk to your doctor before taking any of the herbs recommended or high doses of vitamin C. None of these recommendations should replace your asthma medication.

That’s It Folks

So we have come to the end of my part two series on Asthma – I hope I have given you a better understanding of your asthma so that you are now a little more empowered to get back in control of your health and asthma!

Please feel free to post any comments about your asthma or anything that you have done to help your asthmatic symptoms.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Chloe

References

1. A Emelyanov, G Fedoseev, and PJ Barnes. Reduced intracellular magnesium concentrations in asthmatic patients. Eur Respir J 1999; 13:38-40

2. Omer S. B Alamoudi. Electrolyte Disturbances in Patients with Chronic, Stable Asthma Effect of Therapy. Chest August 2001 vol. 120 no. 2 431-436

3. Ligia J. Dominguez et al. Bronchial reactivity and intracellular magnesium: a possible mechanism for the bronchodilating effects of magnesium in asthma. Clinical Science (1998) 95, (137–142) (Printed in Great Britain)

4. Ziment, Irwin. Alternative therapies for asthma. Current opinion in pulmonary medicine (1997) Volume 3, Issue 1

5. Herman A. Cohen., Itai Neuman, MD and Hermona Nahum. Blocking Effect of Vitamin C in Exercise-Induced Asthma. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151(4):367-370.

6. Gotshall, R W., Mickelborough, T and, Cordain, LOR. Dietary salt restriction improves pulmonary function in exercise-induced asthma. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, November 2000 – Volume 32 – Issue 11 – pp 1815-1819

Asthma – Causes and Triggers Part One

Chloe Orford — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:54:10 +0000

Breathing naturally on a day to day basis is something that many chronic asthmatics like you may dream of. With daily symptoms of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath – breathing is definitely not something that comes easy.

Usually more than one type of asthma medication is needed to help you control these symptoms, and quite often you are probably using them more than once daily.

Though medication works very well at managing your symptoms of asthma as they arise and worsen, but what if you could prevent the severity of your symptoms long term?

Learn about the underlying causes that trigger your asthma to worsen so that you can prevent those terrifying symptoms from occurring so regularly.

What are the triggers of Asthma?

There are many triggers to asthma that you are probably very well aware but in case you aren’t, please have a look at the following common triggers amongst asthmatics.

Cigarette smoke
Mould
Animal dander
Dust
Pollen
Cold drinks
Air Conditioning
Diesel fumes

Being a chronic asthmatic, these environmental triggers are most likely second nature to you, so knowing to avoid these triggers the best you can is probably something that you do not need to hear again.

So what I will talk about instead are the lesser known causative factors and triggers that you may not know about.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid Deficiency

If you do not eat fish at least three to four times a week at least then you be at risk of an Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency which sucks because Omega 3 is great for asthmatics like yourself!

Being deficient in omega 3 means you miss out on the natural anti-inflammatory action that omega 3 fatty acids contain – and you need all of the anti-inflammatory action you can get because asthma is caused from excessive inflammation of the airways.

I know I know, you may not like the taste or smell of fish, or maybe the price of fish doesn’t suit your weekly budget but there are alternative ways to still receive your omega 3.

You could take a fish oil capsule so you don’t have to taste the fish at all – but you must ensure you have a minimum of 3-4 capsules a day for it to be beneficial.

Or if you are vegetarian or vegan you could take a flax seed oil liquid that you can throw in a smoothie or put in a salad dressing at 1 to 2 tablespoons a day or take the capsules!

Food Allergy and Food Sensitivities

Food allergies and sensitivities are commonly linked to the worsening of asthmatic symptoms.

You may have had a skin prick test that indicated you were allergic to a variety of environmental allergens, but failed to show any allergy to food.

Skin prick tests only test for immediate allergic reactions which involve IgE antibodies. But in the case of food sensitivity, IgG antibodies are only involved which are not picked up on a skin prick test.

Getting tested by an Allergist that tests for both IgE and IgG antibodies or doing a food challenge will help you find out exactly what you could be reacting to so that you can avoid exposure to these food sensitivities that may trigger a worsening of your asthma or initiate asthma attacks.

Food sensitivities worsen asthma as it induces inflammation and excess mucous production reducing the passage of air as well as inducing bronchospasm.

Cow’s milk, sodium benzoate (preservative), sulphur dioxide (preservative commonly found in dried fruit) in particular are very common food sensitivities amongst asthmatics that you may want to consider in chronic asthma.

Low Stomach Acid

Low stomach acid is a common problem particularly in asthmatics, where an approximate 80% or children with asthma have low stomach acid.

Low stomach acid is often initiated by a cow’s milk allergy, which results in irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and digestive system, inhibiting the release of hydrochloric acid into the stomach for proper digestion.

If you have low stomach acid, you will become very prone to nutrient deficiencies and the production of even more food sensitivities that can worsen your asthma.

So the first step is to determine if you have food allergies that may be maintaining low stomach acid from child hood, and secondly rule out if you have low stomach acid or not.

To learn more about the symptoms to low stomach acid and what you can do to improve digestion, please read my article on Food Sensitivity – What Causes it and How to Treat it Part Two and Three.

Yes There is More

In Part Two I will discuss the significance of Magnesium deficiency on asthmatic symptoms as well as some further handy tips you could incorporate into your daily lifestyle.

References

1. Roberts, G and Lack, G. Food Allergy and Asthma – What is the Link? Paediatric Respiratory Reviews Volume 4, Issue 3, Pages 205-212 (September 2003).

2. Nguyen Myngoc T. Effect of Cow Milk on Pulmonary Function in Atopic Asthmatic Patients. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 1997; 79(1): 62-64

3. Noah J. Friedman, Robert S. Zeiger . The role of breast-feeding in the development of allergies and asthma. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology – June 2005 (Vol. 115, Issue 6, Pages 1238-1248

4. Jen – Yuan Hsu, Han Chung Lien, Chi Sen Chang and Gran Hum Chen. Abnormal acid reflux in asthmatic patients in a region with low GERD prevalence. Journal of Gastroenterology, Volume 40, Number 1 / January, 2005

5. Okamoto M et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids compared with n-bronchial asthma. Intern Med. 2000 Feb;39(2):107 – 111

6. Schubert, R et al. Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Asthma after Low-Dose Allergen Challenge. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2009;148:321-329

Wheat Allergy Symptoms – A Dummies Guide to Wheat Allergy and How to Treat It

Chloe Orford — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:32:44 +0000

Wheat is found in a wide variety of foods, especially in food you would least expect. For example, did you know that tomato sauce contains wheat!

If you did then consider yourself one of the few, but for the rest of us, particularly those who may have a wheat allergy – this article is for you.!

The complete dummies guide to wheat allergy symptoms and how to treat it.

Here I give you the low down on what a wheat allergy is, how it occurs, what the symptoms are and what you can do to get some relief

What is a wheat allergy?

A wheat allergy is created when your immune system begins to identify something found in wheat as harmful.

These harmful substances that are usually detected in wheat are albumin, globulin, gliadin and gluten – these are all different types of proteins found in wheat. You can be allergic to one or more of these proteins.

How it happens

When you have a wheat allergy, after you have ingested or come in contact with wheat, your immune system will automatically release weapons to destroy the food every time you ingest as it has mistaken it as dangerous.

Usually this is not a normal response, but in your case your immune system has become confused and has instead mistaken wheat for something dangerous like a bacteria or virus.

In order for your immune system to do the job properly and protect you against danger, it must now destroy the invader by releasing IgE antibodies.

When the antibodies come in contact with wheat, it signals certain cells to release chemicals like histamine in nearby tissues in an attempt to destroy the invader.

As a result of this attack and the release of chemicals, you will begin to experience a range of symptoms that lets you know that you have ingested, inhaled or come in contact with wheat.

What are the Symptoms

If you are allergic to wheat, a reaction can occur immediately or a few hours later after inhaling, ingesting or coming in contact with wheat.

Depending on where the chemicals are released determines what sort of reaction you may experience. For example if the chemicals are released in the skin, you will experience skin rashes like hives or atopic dermatitis.

Symptoms can vary each time and can change in severity. Any one or more of the following symptoms may arise:

Hives (Urticaria) – A rash that is characterised by circular welts on the skin that are usually itchy and occur most commonly on the legs, arms and trunk.
Anaphylaxis – A life threatening reaction consisting of swelling of the mouth and throat followed by chest tightness, difficulty breathing and dizziness/fainting.
Atopic Dermatitis
Stomach cramping
Nausea and/or vomiting
Diarrhoea
Difficulty breathing
Nasal congestion
Itchy eyes
Itchy mouth and throat

Who is more prone to a wheat allergy?

A wheat allergy was found to be relatively rare amongst adults but is now increasing. Occupational inhalation of wheat flour in bakeries, the increased prevalence of wheat flour in a wider variety of foods and the overall increase of food allergies in general may be contributing factors to this growth.

Wheat allergy is still however much more common amongst children.

Wheat allergy is commonly found in infants when wheat is first introduced into their diet, as their immune systems aren’t fully developed.

Wheat allergy will commonly occur in infants who already have other existing food allergies and have parents with a history of food allergies.

Often a wheat allergy in a child is out grown between 4-12 years of age once their immune systems have fully developed. Unfortunately this may not always be in the case especially if there is a long family history of food allergy.

Do you think you may have a wheat allergy? Get Tested

If you are regularly suffering with one or more of the following symptoms that have been discussed after the ingestion or contact with wheat, it may be a good idea to get tested and receive an accurate diagnosis.

Skin Prick Test

Skin prick test is commonly the first test used by Doctors to determine an allergy. This type of test can be taken out on babies, children and adults.

The test is usually taken out on the inner forearm or back. It involves introducing a small amount of the allergens in question underneath the skin by first placing a drop of the allergen on top of the skin and then pricking the skin with a lancet.

This can feel uncomfortable but should not feel painful. If there is a positive reaction to the allergen, the skin will become itchy followed by a red swollen wheal after 15-20 minutes.

It does not represent the severity of the allergy, but just the presence of IgE antibodies to that particular allergen which are creating your symptoms.

NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique)

If you do not like the thought of the skin prick test, you may want to look into NAET which uses a non invasive, pain free test called muscle testing.

To learn more about NAET please click here.

How to treat your wheat allergy

If you have been diagnosed with a positive wheat allergy, the most important step you will need to make is to avoid all wheat derived foods.

Wheat can be hidden in almost anything including places you least expect like soups and sauces – wheat flour is commonly used as a thickener.

Looking out for foods that say gluten free (even though you may not be allergic to this type of protein in wheat) will guarantee there is absolutely no wheat used in their ingredients.

Wheat Free Grains

Eating wheat free can be a rather difficult task at first – but once you begin to explore your options you will soon realise there is a new world of new nutritious, great tasting alternative grains that you can eat instead of wheat.

Wheat free grains include spelt, rice, corn, quinoa, millet, buckwheat and amaranth. If you would like to learn more about these grains please click here.

Getting your hands on a good wheat free cook book will make it much easier for you to begin your new wheat free diet – it will take the guess work out of finding recipes that are wheat free.

Don’t have a wheat allergy but you still feel sick after eating wheat based foods?

If you aren’t feeling quite right after eating wheat but you don’t have a wheat allergy. Then you may have a gluten intolerance or wheat sensitivity.

Gluten intolerance and wheat sensitivity are completely different to wheat allergy, so it’s important that you educate yourself on these two. This information will be coming soon.

Please post below and share your experiences and stories on wheat allergies!

References

1. Battais F, Richard C, Jacquenet S, Denergy-Papini S & Moneret-Vautrin DA. Wheat grain allergies: an update on wheat allergens. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Ummunol, 2008, Nov; 40(3):67-76

2. Niggemann B, Reibel S & Wahn U. The atopy patch test – a useful tool for the diagnosis of food allergy in children with atopic dermatitis. Blackwell Publishing 2000, Allergy, Volume 55, Number 3, pp. 2810285(5)

3. Keet CA, Matsui EC, Dhillon G, Lenehan P, Paterakis M, Wood RA. The natural history of wheat allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunology, 2009, May;102(5):410-5.

4. Denise A. Moneret-Vautrin & Martine Morisset. Adult food allergy. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 2005, Volume 5, Number 1, pp. 80-85.

Preventing Allergies in Babies

Chloe Orford — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:50:15 +0000

Allergies in infants are a big concern especially if you or your partner suffers with allergies.

Genetic predisposition greatly increases your baby’s chance to atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and food allergies.

If one parent has a past history of allergies, the possibility of your child also experiencing allergies is increased by two fold, and four fold if both parents have a history of allergies.

Is There Anything I Can Do About It?

Nobody wants to see their child suffer with bouts of eczema or breathing problems – it’s heartbreaking and can prove to be a very terrifying time.

Fortunately there has been quite a lot of research into finding preventative measures that reduce the possibility and severity of allergies in allergy prone children, and luckily several of these strategies are proving to be very effective.

Breastfeeding Prevents Development of Allergies

There have been several studies that confirm that breastfeeding for four to six months successfully prevents the early development of allergic diseases including asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy symptoms and allergic rhinitis up to 2 years of age.

Breastfeeding by far reduces allergic potential in babies in comparison to the use of formulas based on cow’s milk or soy protein that increases the chance of eczema and wheezing.

Unfortunately just simply breast feeding your child may not be the be all and end all to preventing your infant’s allergies later in life. In some studies, certain mothers who breast fed increased the chance of asthma in their child as opposed to non breast feeding mothers.

Allergies can be created from breast milk because your baby can become sensitised to foods that you are ingesting which are transferring through your breast milk, initiating allergies in your baby.

Avoiding Dietary Allergens in Breastfeeding Mothers

Research has confirmed that by reducing dietary intake of common food allergens whilst breastfeeding, increases the protective effects of breast milk against atopic disease remarkably.

Before breastfeeding, determining what foods you are allergic to through an allergy test is beneficial. This will make it much clearer to you, the foods that must be eliminated from your diet whilst breastfeeding up to 12 months so that you can reduce your baby’s allergy potential even further.

If you are not allergic to foods and it is your partner’s side that has the family history of atopic disease, then reducing dietary intake of the main dietary allergens may be suitable.

Cow’s milk in particular is a common dietary allergen that has been linked to the production of colic in infants. It is also a common trigger alongside egg ingestion in the development of eczema in infants during breastfeeding.

Soy, peanuts and wheat are also food allergens that are common in atopic disease in infants.

Probiotics in Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants Prevents Allergic Disease

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria found in your digestive system that greatly influences the function of your immune system.

In allergic individuals, the amount of beneficial bacteria present in the digestive system is found to be lower in comparison to non allergic individuals.

This environment can greatly influence the correct functioning of the immune system, leading to more allergic tendencies.

Mothers with a family history of allergies who choose to supplement with a probiotic during pregnancy and breastfeeding have shown to reduce the incidence of atopic disease such as eczema in their child.

The protective effects of the probiotics have also demonstrated to prevent allergies beyond 5 years of age.

Choosing a Probiotic

Probiotics are usually kept in the fridge at your health food store. The species of bacteria that have shown to enhance immunity and reduce the prevalence of allergies are as follows;

Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Bifidobacterium lactis
Lactobacillus rhamnosus

The benefits of starting supplementation during the third trimester, will enable the gut and vaginal flora in the mother to be influenced to a more positive and beneficial environment.

By doing so, as the baby is born, their digestive systems are inhabited with more beneficial bacteria than bad bacteria from the mother. This supplies the baby with the best possible start to a healthy immune system and better prevention of allergic disease.

Early Introduction to Solid Foods Increases Allergies in Infants

If your infant is susceptible to forming allergies through a genetic predisposition, then it is important to follow a few guide lines to prevent your baby from producing several food allergies when new food is introduced.

Food allergies can be produced very easily before the age of two, as the mucosal barrier of the intestinal wall is not matured completely leaving it still permeable to particles of food.

If too many highly allergic foods are introduced too soon, they are able to pass the mucosal barrier easily triggering immune reactions. This initiates food allergies leading to symptoms like atopic dermatitis.

Pediatricians and allergists commonly recommend the following guide lines for the optimum ages to introduce particular foods.

Introduce foods from 6 months onwards – When introducing foods, introduce only one food at a time and in small amounts. Look out for any symptoms that could suspect a food allergy by waiting several days before introducing a different food. Symptoms you should look out for are; bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, refusal of food, colic or a rash.
Introduce cow’s milk 12 months onwards – The casein found in cow’s milk is commonly linked to allergies in susceptible babies. Introducing yoghurt and cheeses don’t seem to cause such allergic reactions if introduced before 12 months old.
Introduce eggs 12-24 months onwards – The white part of the egg is usually what triggers a food allergy in babies as it contains a variety of proteins that commonly trigger an immune reaction.
Introduce peanuts, tree nuts, fish and seafood 36 months onwards

Low Levels of Essential Fatty Acids Can Initiate Allergies

Essential fatty acids also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids must be provided through the diet as the body is unable to manufacture it – thus their name ‘essential’ fatty acids.

These essential fatty acids are Omega 3 (linolenic acid) and Omega 6 (linoleic acid) of which EPA and DHA are found in Omega 3 and Arachidonic Acid and GLA (Gamma-linoleic-acid) are converted from Omega 6.

Unfortunately many people have an imbalance of essential fatty acids in their diet; with too much Arachidonic acid and not enough Omega 3 and GLA.

Arachidonic acid is commonly found abundantly in Western diets due to the excessive intake of animal products. In excess, this fatty acid favours inflammation and the production of IgE antibodies that creates a hypersensitive immune system and anaphylactic allergies, where as Omega 3 and GLA reduce inflammation.

Eating a balanced diet that contains Omega 3, Omega 6 and not too much Arachidonic acid (still very important for your babies growth, but not in excess) is vital not only for your babies immune system but also for brain and eye development.

Mothers are the sole source of essential fatty acids to their babies, if mothers are deficient in these essential fatty acids during pregnancy and breastfeeding, atopic diseases such as eczema and asthma will be more likely to occur.

If you would like to find out more accurate information on food sources of essential fatty acids, you can visit this website that discusses abundant sources as well as the benefits of fatty acids. Please visit Linus Pauling Institute – Essential Fatty Acids .

There Is Hope

By putting in place any of the guide lines that have been mentioned, it can give you peace of mind that you have contributed the best you can to reducing the likelihood of infant allergy in your baby.

If you have had any experience with preventing an infant allergy in your new born baby with any of the above treatment strategies or even others that have not been mentioned.

Please post below to share your story so that other expecting mothers can also benefit from your experience.

References

1. Furuhjelm C, Warstedt K, Larsson KJ, Fredriksson M, Bottcher MF, Faith-Mangusson K, et al. Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation may decrease the rick of infant allergy. Acta Paediatr 2009 Sep; 98(9): 1461 – 1467

2. Kull, I., Wickman, M., Lilja, G, Nordvall, S L., Pershagen, G. Breast feeding and allergic diseases in infants – a prospective birth cohort study. Arch Dis Child 2002; Volume 87, Issue 6; Pages 478-481

3.Gerrard, J W. Allergies in breastfed babies to foods ingested by the mother. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology 1984; Volume 2, Pages 143-149.

4. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1985;291:932-935 (5 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.291.6500.932

5. Cant A., Marsden, R A & Kilshaw P J. Egg and cows’ milk hypersensitivity in exclusively breast fed infants with eczema, and detection of egg protein in breast milk. Br Med J (Clin Red Ed) 1985, Volume 291, Pages 932-935

6. Kallimokai M., Slaminen S., Poussa, T., Arvilommi H & Isolauri, E. Probiotics and prevention of atopic disease: 4 year follow up of a randomised placebo controlled trial. 2003, Volume 361, Issue 9372; Pages 1869- 1871

7. Kankaanpaa, P., Suta, Y., Salminen S., Licbtenstein, A & Isolauri, E. Dietary Fatty Acid and Allergy, 1999, Vol. 31, No. 4, Pages 282-287

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Natural Treatment Guide

Chloe Orford — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:24:43 +0000

Atopic Dermatitis is a fancy name for an itch that rashes. Therefore the more you itch the larger the rash becomes.

Continuous itching can breakdown the barrier of your skin, making you more prone to infections. Babies and young children are especially prone to infections as their immune systems aren’t fully developed.

Atopic Dermatitis most commonly occurs on the face, arms and legs in babies and young children whilst teenagers and adults tend to have it behind their knees and elbows. The skin condition usually shows its first appearance in children under the age of two, which then can lead to asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergies later on in life.

Though Atopic Dermatitis is a genetic disorder, there are still many other factors that contribute to its development – and it’s these factors that you can influence to relieve and reduce your severity of eczema.

First Repair And Protect The Skin

To immediately prevent Atopic Dermatitis from worsening, an emollient must be used to inhibit the itch-scratch cycle so that the progression of the skin rash can be impeded.

Emollients also work to hydrate the skin preventing further water loss from occurring, as well as repair the impaired skin barrier function reducing the likelihood of infection.

Opting for emollients that use 100% natural ingredients over chemical based creams are ideal as synthetic chemicals can act as an irritant and create a worsening of the rash.

Emollients can and often clear up the rash remarkably if you use one that contains ingredients to get the job done properly. I have seen astounding results on many individuals with Atopic Dermatitis who have used these two emollients.

They are both a completely natural alternative to steroid and chemical based creams providing a safe and effective alternative.

Xma Therapy Cream

This cream has a combination of 15 different natural ingredients. These ingredients aim at hydrating the skin, restoring the damage that has occurred through scratching and protect it from any irritants or bacteria/viruses.

It reduces inflammation and redness with aloe vera and chamomile, hydrates the skin with a variety of nut, seed and plant oils whilst increasing collagen repair of the skin surface with vitamin C and A.

The company also supplies you with a 90 day satisfaction guarantee – so if you use it and do not see any improvement within this time period then you are entitled to a refund. I think this is a great bonus especially if you have spent a lot of money on emollients before.

To learn more information about this cream and read their testimonials, you can visit their website here.

Moogoo Eczema and Psoriasis Balm

This cream is wonderful for Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis as well as any sort of fungal or yeast based skin condition. It is designed to reduce the irritation by hydrating and keeping the skin well moisturised through ingredients like chamomile, sage oil, olive oil and squalene.

Find out more information by checking out their website here – you’ll be entertained by all of their adorable pictures of cows.

Food Triggers

Food allergens are constantly being demonstrated in many studies to induce eczema skin rashes.

In a controlled food challenge study, 40% of children with moderate to severe Atopic Dermatitis had their rash worsened by food allergens by producing skin inflammation.

The most common food triggers linked to Atopic Dermatitis are; eggs, milk, wheat, soy and peanuts. Reducing sugar including glucose, lactose and maltose have also been markedly linked with a dramatic improvement in Atopic Dermatitis.

Taking your child or yourself for food allergy testing will determine exactly what foods are causing the Atopic Dermatitis. By eliminating the food culprits, the skin rash usually tends to subside significantly.

Feed Your Gut with Good Bacteria

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in your digestive system and contribute positively to your well being and the regulation of your immune system. About 70% of your immune system is found in the gut associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) surrounding your digestive system, where the regulation of immune responses take place.

Beneficial bacteria are essential to modulate immune responses which in turn regulate allergic reactions.
Many controlled trials have demonstrated that taking a probiotic (good bacteria) supplement can greatly improve the extent and severity of Atopic Dermatitis.

Studies have demonstrated that children with atopic dermatitis have less beneficial bacteria in their digestive systems as opposed to children with allergies.

Supplementation of lactobacilli bacteria can modulate the immune system and inhibit the development of Atopic Dermatitis in genetically predisposed children. Existing Atopic Dermatitis has also been successfully reduced through the use of probiotics.

Eat Your Good Fats

If your body is deficient in good fats in particular the GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) converted from Omega 6 (Linoleic Acid) then your skin will become more prone to water loss as well as dry scaly skin.

Fats make up a vital part of the skin barrier, so if the structure of this skin barrier is altered through a deficiency then your skin will become more permeable to bacteria/viruses and outside allergens.

In studies connecting the link between this deficiency and Atopic Dermatitis, it has been detected that not only may there be a lack of Omega 6, but there also could be a dysfunction in the way your body converts Linoleic Acid to Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA).

A reduced activity in the conversion rate of Linoleic acid to Gamma Linolenic acid has been detected in Atopic Dermatitis individuals.

Supplementing with direct sources like Evening Primrose oil, Borage Oil and Blackcurrant Oil can be beneficial in Atopic Dermatitis by providing the GLA needed for proper skin barrier function.

Controlling Your Eczema Is Possible

Chemical based creams do not have to be the only answer to relieving your eczema. There are many other alternative routes that you can take that are much safer and will support your body to heal your skin.

I hope that the several connections to the causes of eczema that I have covered has opened up your horizons and given you further insights to treating this frustrating skin condition.

References

1. Y.M, D., Boguniewicz, M., Howell, M.D., Nomura, I., Qutayba, A.H. New Sights into Atopic Dermatitis, J. Clin. Invest. 2004; 113(5):651

2. Sampson, H., McCaskill, C. Food hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis: Evaluation of 113 patients. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 107, Issue 5, Pages 669-675

3. Kalliomaki, M., Salminen, S., Arvilommi, H., et al. Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
The Lancet, Volume 357, Issue 9262, Pages 1076-1079

4. Isolauri, E., et al. Probiotics in the management of atopic eczema. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2000, Volume 30, Pages 1604-1610

5. Schäfer, L and Kragballe, K. Supplementation with evening primrose oil in atopic dermatitis: Effect on fatty acids in neutrophils and epidermis. Lipids, 1991, Volume 26, Pages 557-560.