Achoo! Allergy Season is upon us!

This time of year brings in many patients with environmental allergies. Symptoms of itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, fatigue, and even brain fog increase for many people in the springtime. The good news is there are ways to handle allergies without medications so you can still enjoy spring-time flowers!

An allergy is any type of inflammation caused by an unusual sensitivity to a foreign substance.

It is important to realize that allergies are a reflection of an impaired immune system that is unable to adapt to outside stressors. Allergies almost always coincide with a scattered state of the nervous and immune systems and are often made worse by anything that promotes inflammation (swelling). When you combine a compromised immune system with excess inflammation, substances in your environment, food, or chemicals, can stimulate an inflammatory cascade. The best way to reduce allergic reactions is to identify the underlying cause instead of just treating symptoms alone.

It is best to prevent your body from reacting by doing the following:
1) Identify the allergen and reduce your exposure to it.

Allergist usually perform a scratch test or prick test to determine if you have IgE mediated allergies which are most accurate to detect inhaled allergens. However, environmental allergies can be exacerbated by underlying food allergies or “sensitivities,” which usually result in more subtle symptoms and are more difficult to identify without comprehensive testing. A simple ELISA blood test of IgG antibodies can determine if you have food sensitivities to a variety of foods. Another quick and cost-effective way to identify allergies is to see a doctor who specializes in energetic testing (Applied Kinesiology).
If you identify environmental allergens (dust, mold, pollen etc.) a simple option to reduce your exposure is an air purifier. Other changes within the home include purchasing special bedding to prevent dust mites, consider installing hardwood floors instead of carpeting, using “Hepa” air and vacuum filters, using a face/nose mask to vacuum, or having another individual clean the house at least 1x/week. If you are allergic to mold, you should fix any water leakage first and then eliminate all traces of mold in the house and run a dehumidifier.


2) Decrease Inflammation

Inflammatory foods include sugar, fruit juices, white flour, refined grains, commercial milk, soy, corn, trans-fats and pro-inflammatory oils (corn, soybean, canola, safflower oils, etc.). Interestingly enough, these are also common foods that trigger food sensitivities/allergies. These toxins should be replaced by anti-inflammatory foods such as organic fruits, vegetables and omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish, fish oil, and flaxseed oil. If you find it difficult to include these foods in your diet, you should supplement your diet with whole food supplements. These dietary changes will reduce overall inflammation within your body and reduce the inflammatory cascade related to allergies.

3) Strengthen your immune and nervous systems.

You can balance a “scattered” nervous system by getting your nervous system checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic to detect and correct any nerve interference that may be decreasing your immune system potential. Patients with allergies often find their allergies reduce significantly just with chiropractic care alone. Additionally, getting enough sleep and proper low-impact exercise can also help your body adapt to damaging stress. Positive mental imagery and meditation can also reduce the negative effects of stress.
I have also found that allergies stem from a liver that is sluggish or under-functioning. The liver should convert air-born particles (mold, dust, pollen) into harmless substances and excrete them through the bowel or urine. If the liver is sluggish or toxic, the body will find other ways to push these allergens out of the body. The nasal sinuses, lungs, eyes, and even the skin become the solution to the liver issue. Patients often find relief when we support the liver with whole food supplements which include kale, brussel sprouts, and beets; and combine this support with homeopathic remedies.

Enjoy spring this year and make your entire body healthier in the process! Correct the underlying cause.

Dr. Jennah Dieter, Chiropractor & Clinical Nutritionist at Healthcare Complete offers chiropractic, nutrition testing & Advanced Allergy Clearing Technique. Complimentary consults available when you mention this article. Disclaimer: This is not a substitute for medical treatment. For attention to your individualized health problems please contact a health care provider directly.

Do you have Celiac Disease?

Approximately 40% of Americans have the genetic potential to become gluten intolerant. More than 1% of Americans have celiac disease. In fact, this percentage may be a low estimate because most physicians are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of celiac disease, which can be a “great masquerader." Importantly, gluten intolerance and celiac disease may be related to a variety of serious disorders.

Approximately 40% of Americans have the genetic potential to become gluten intolerant. More than 1% of Americans have celiac disease. In fact, this percentage may be a low estimate because most physicians are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of celiac disease, which can be a “great masquerader”. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are closely related. After repeated exposure to gluten, a person who is gluten intolerant may develop celiac disease. Gluten is a complex of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. The human digestive tract cannot break down gluten into its component amino acids, so gluten proteins persist in the gastrointestinal tract until they are excreted.

In susceptible individuals, the gluten proteins may be identified as "foreign" and their immune systems may launch a reaction against these non-self proteins. In such persons, including infants, children, teenagers, and adults, continued exposure to gluten may cause development of signs and symptoms of celiac disease. (1-2)

Wheat, rye, and barley comprise significant components of the Western diet. Almost all breads are made from one or more of these three grains. Cookies, cakes, bagels, muffins, pizza, and pasta are all gluten-containing foods. Additionally, gluten is found in vitamin pills, shampoo, toothpaste, household cleansers, and even prescription drugs. Wheat-based binders are often used in the manufacturing process of these articles. So gluten is literally everywhere.

A susceptible person's initial immune reaction to gluten persists with continued exposure. Eventually the immune reaction may damage the lining of the person's small intestine, leading to the classic symptoms of celiac disease - abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, and abdominal bloating. Intestinal damage causes these very unpleasant and debilitating symptoms and may also lead to additional serious diseases. Malnutrition is one of the major consequences of celiac disease.

Importantly, gluten intolerance may be related to a variety of serious disorders. Neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia may be associated with underlying gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and psoriatic arthritis may be related to gluten intolerance. Endocrine conditions including diabetes, hyper- and hypothryroidism, and Addison's disease are often related to gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Infertility and frequent miscarriages may also be related to an underlying condition of gluten intolerance.

The takeaway is this. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease may be an underlying cause of serious medical conditions that have not been treated successfully. The key is considering gluten intolerance as an underlying cause and taking appropriate action. Patient knowledge and increased physician knowledge and awareness are crucial to correctly identifying a hidden problem. (3)

Your family chiropractor is an important resource. She is an expert in nutrition and is trained to identify underlying causes of health problems. In addition, chiropractic treatment may help restore more normal and more effective immune system functioning. In cases requiring a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, chiropractic treatment is a crucial component.

Beginning a Gluten-Free Diet
A strict gluten-free diet is the number one step in treatment of gluten intolerance and celiac disease. This is a big undertaking and yet it is critically necessary. Symptoms of these disorders will only resolve when gluten is removed from the diet. Even small amounts of gluten reactivate the disease-causing immune mechanism. Even 20 parts per million (ppm; a standard measure of concentration) can cause symptoms in a person who is gluten intolerant.The very good news is that gluten intoelrance and celiace disease are receiving a much higher media profile. Broadcast, print, and new media are focusing on these disorders, with featured content appearing frequently in the national press. The result is that gluten-free foods and household products are becoming much more widely available. Most health food stores and markets have created a gluten-free section and continue to expand their offerings.

1. Selimolu MA, Karabiber H: Celiac disease. Prevention and treatment. J Clin Gastroenterol 44 (1):4-8, 2010
2. Setty M, et al: Celiac disease: risk assessment, diagnosis, and monitoring. Mol Diagn Ther 12(5):289-298, 2008
3. Schuppan D, et al: Celiac disease: from pathogenesis to novel therapies. Gastroenterology 137(6):1912-1933, 2009