nutrient deficiency

Root Cause of Allergies and How to Reverse Them

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One of my biggest challenges of living with Chronic Lyme Disease was the emergence of food and environmental allergies. I developed a severe case of OCD in an attempt to eliminate or avoid anything that triggered an allergic response. I was highly reactive to mold, construction dust, pollen, animal products, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, wheat, dairy, corn and corn products, chemical additive such as sodium benzoate, synthetic fragrances, and even foods, such as sweet potatoes, pineapple, zucchini, eggplant, etc. I would have panic attacks, asthma attacks, mental confusion, general itching, and debilitating fatigue. I was so consumed with fear of everyday activities and environments that I could no longer live fully. I had entered pure survival mode with a very low quality of life. I developed PTSD and experienced increasingly worse allergic reactions.

When I finally discovered the right path to healing, I still eliminated and avoided allergy triggers, but I kept an optimistic perspective. I was determine to understand the root cause of allergies and how to reverse them. I was highly disappointed with the literature on allergies from a western medical perspective. I found proclaimed ignorance to the cause and poor symptom management techniques. In the alternative medicine realm, I found NAET and used that technique for several months without much decrease in allergic reactions. I would have had to done hundreds of NAET sessions to reverse all of my allergies if it was effective, so I found the treatment to be a poor use of time and monetary resources.

I gathered what information I could find from various sources that presented pieces of the puzzle to the allergy mystery. I created an allergy theory and drew up a lifestyle game plan to reverse my allergies. As of a month ago, I have successfully reversed all of my environmental and foods allergies, including my most severe reactions to mold and sweet potatoes.

In this article, I will present my allergy theory and the steps necessary to reverse allergies. My theory and experimental results closely align with the theory presented by nutritional balancing scientist, Dr. Lawrence Wilson. My theory differs in that I recommend the elimination of animal products and the inclusion of organic fruits.

For the purpose of this article, I am going to define an allergic response as a prolonged inflammatory stress response. I am going to focus on IgG and IgE type reactions. This theory does not apply to anaphylaxis IGA type reactions.  It is important to remember that allergic reactions have an evolutionary advantage that consists of protection from foreign objects. In a healthy immune response, there is a stress wave consisting of an acute phase followed by a recovery phase before the body returns back to equilibrium. In the acute phase, the immune system secretes pro-inflammatory signaling proteins and hormones to attack and sequester the foreign object. In the recovery phase, the body secretes anti-inflammatory hormones, such as cortisol, to disperse and replenish nutrition to the army of immune responders. When the immune responders are dispersed, rested, and restored then the body is back in equilibrium ready for the next attack. An allergic response occurs when there is a breakdown in the proper immune response and symptoms arise from prolonged inflammation.

Root Causes of Allergies

  • Weak Adrenal Glands.

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing cortisol, the body’s main anti-inflammatory hormone that is responsible for the regenerative phase of the stress wave. Also, the adrenals produce pro-inflammatory hormones, epinephrine and norepinephrine (AKA adrenaline and noradrenaline), to slow down allergic reactions by opposing histamine production. A person showing signs of a sympathetic dominance pattern struggles from a dysregulation of glands that prevent the nervous system from properly responding to immune responses. Exposure to fatigue, cold and stress of any kind can weaken the adrenal glands and trigger more severe allergic reactions.

  • Cell Permeability

Cell membrane defects allow foreign proteins to enter cells; this causes histamine to pass freely in and out of cells. When the histamine reaches blood circulation, symptoms will appear.

  • Nutrient Deficiencies coupled with Heavy Metal Toxicities

Vitamin C deficiencies lead to adrenal insufficiency, as this vitamin is a building block for the production of cortisol. More vitamin C is stored in the adrenals than any other part of the body. Under times of stress, the body retains copper and dumps zinc to properly manage stress hormones, such as adrenaline. Chronic stress and poor nutrition will lead to a zinc deficiency coupled with a copper toxicity.

  • Leaky Gut

This condition presents with damaged, inflamed, and malnourished intestinal membrane that becomes excessively permeable. Unwanted foreign objects, such as partially digested food, food toxins, food chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and fungus, cross the intestinal membrane and enter the bloodstream. At this point, the body mounts a systematic inflammatory response to clear the blood of unwanted, foreign objects.

  • Ingestion of Foreign Objects

The human body is not meant to ingest certain objects, because there is no nutritional value and the objects cause harm to human tissues. Common foreign objects that elicit strong allergic responses include but are not limited to chemical toxins (food additives, herbicides), heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, and vaccines.

  • Autointoxication

When the elimination organs and pathways become congested, the body’s ability to properly break down and assimilate food decreases. This could be the result of liver congestion due to thick bile, intrahepatic stones, and parasites. Intrahepatic stones may appear in the common bile duct where they partially block the flow pancreatic enzymes of fluids necessary to break down food in the stomach and small intestine. Decreased food breakdown and absorption leads to large food particles putrefying in the large intestine thereby causing auto-intoxication.

  • Trauma

Emotional and physical traumas can weaken the adrenals, deplete nutrients, and encourage the storage of toxic metals. The type of trauma can have an effect on where the toxic metals are stored and where the allergic reaction presents.

 

How to Properly Interpret IGG Food Allergy Test Results

Allergy and sensitivity testing is very popular in the alternative health world right now. While it is logical for someone to have an adverse reaction to a foreign object, it seems strange that people are having adverse reactions to whole foods. Being allergic to foods that have incredible healing properties never sat well with me. Recently, I listened to a podcast by Anthony Williams, The Medical Medium, on this topic (see sources) and his interpretation of IgG testing resonated with my understanding of natural laws and my personal experience with reversing food allergies.

The IgG allergy test recognizes when the body produces histamine in response to eating certain whole foods. However, the method in which these healing food produce histamine is indirect via a healing reaction. Often these foods have powerful healing capabilities, such as antimicrobial properties. If you have a viral, bacterial, or fungal overgrowth, then ingesting this food may will the infection. When these germs die, they release neurotoxins and the body needs to clean up the debris, so the body mounts an immune response (cue histamine!) to clean up the mess. Also, you may only exhibit the undesirable allergy symptoms when your elimination organs and pathways are congest and the adrenals are weak.

If you chose to get tested, pay attention to the foods that elicit an IgG response. Those food are going to be your medication for returning to vitality. However, start slowly and watch how you respond as to not elicit an intolerable healing reaction. Make sure to support your adrenals as you reintroduce or increase these foods. You want to avoid consuming so much at once that you exhaust all of your adrenal resources. I recommend muscle testing foods that trigger IgG responses before adding them back into your diet. If you muscle test strong, then your adrenals are healthy enough to handle the healing that will happen in response to eating that food.

How to Reverse Allergies

Begin a nutritional balancing program that focuses on organic, gluten-free, non-gmo whole foods. This means you must reduce and eliminate wheat, dairy, animal products, and processed foods, especially those containing refined or synthetic sugar and gmos. See my article on glyphosate as to why I make this general recommendation.

Focus on incorporating foods that are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese, bioflavonoids, essential fatty acids (avocados, Greek extra virgin olive oil, coconut oi), and herbs like stinging nettle. Eat lightly cooked vegetables 2-3 times a day to reverse nutritional deficiencies. Reverse mineral deficiencies by incorporating sea salt, fresh pressed celery juice, lemons, limes, sea vegetables, and leafy greens. Heal leaky gut by incorporating pre-biotics (bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes) and living probiotics in the form of fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, kombucha).

Decongest elimination organs and pathways. This is key. It doesn’t matter how good your diet is if you cannot break down and absorb nutrients or effectively process toxins and metabolic waste. In my experience, the best way to decongest the liver is to perform a liver flush series by Andreas Mortiz (check out “The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush”) combined with coffee enemas as needed and nutritional liver support, such as dandelion tea. Decongest the intestines by performing colonics or warm water enemas and reducing or eliminating animal products that have no fiber. Support the kidneys with optimal hydration. Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of pure water every day. Drink cranberry juice, lemons, and kidney cleanse tea to break down calcification. Decongest the skin by sweating regularly during exercise or warm Epsom salt baths.

Reduce and eliminate ingesting foreign objects. Cease taking pharmaceutical medications, vaccines, and flu shots. Avoid eating processed foods and taking synthetic supplements. Switch over to natural cosmetics and cleaning products (castile soap, vinegar).

Exercise at light and moderate intensities by incorporating walking, yoga, stretching, rebounding, and light weights into your fitness routine. Temporarily reduce or eliminate intense exercise, such as running, that can deplete the adrenals.

Utilize stress reduction and management techniques, such as sleep, meditation, and spending time in nature. Find ways to process and let go of negative emotions while focusing on optimistic perspective and positive thoughts. Work through and release past emotional traumas. Don’t forget to laugh and remember Bill Hick’s saying “It’s just a ride.”

The most important take away from this article is that allergies can be reversed. You do not have to suffer and live in fear of the next reaction for the rest of your life. Be patient. It may take a year or longer for allergic reactions to cease when you take steps that lead to rebuilding the adrenals, liver, and intestines.

Sources:

http://www.theraj.com/allergies/allergies-causes-treatments.php

https://www.tcmworld.org/get-to-the-root-cause-of-allergies-with-tcm/

http://www.ener-chi.com/gallstones-in-the-liver-can-cause-disorders-of-the-respiratory-system/

http://drlwilson.com/articles/allergies.htm

https://player.fm/series/medical-medium-podcast/healing-from-allergies

Glyphosate’s Role in Causing Chronic Illness

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Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s popular “broad spectrum” herbicide, Roundup. This herbicide has greatly impacted agricultural methods and is at the root of the rise of chronic illness in the United States. Many genetically modified foods are designed to be “Round up Ready” meaning they are resistant to roundup. As of 2001, Glyphosate is the most used herbicide. Let’s take a look at how glyphosate is causing chronic illness and what you can do to minimize exposure on your path to wellness.

It is generally accepted that the farming land in the Unites States is becoming increasingly more mineral deficient. This idea is used to justify the need for taking supplements daily. But humans are not deficient in supplements. We are becoming deficient in plant based nutrition. By understanding what is causing these mineral deficiencies, we are able to make dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes were all we need is whole foods, exercise, rest, and sunshine to live a life full of vitality.

Monsanto claims that glyphosate is non-toxic. “All Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer products contain the same active ingredient*, glyphosate, which targets an enzyme found in plants but not in people or pets.” This claim could not be further from the truth. However, the damage caused by glyphosate may take years before symptoms appear, so although death is not imminent with ingestion, chronic illness is prevalent with chronic exposure. Glyphosate targets a protein synthesis pathway called the shikimate pathway.

There are multiple pathways by which glyphosate could lead to pathology. A major consideration is that our gut bacteria do have the shikimate pathway, and that we depend upon this pathway in our gut bacteria as well as in plants to supply us with the essential aromatic amino acids, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Methionine, an essential sulfur-containing amino acid, and glycine, are also negatively impacted by glyphosate. Furthermore, many other biologically active molecules, including serotonin, melatonin, melanin, epinephrine, dopamine, thyroid hormone, folate, coenzyme Q10, vitamin K, and vitamin E, depend on the shikimate pathway metabolites as precursors. Gut bacteria and plants use exclusively the shikimate pathway to produce these amino acids. In part because of shikimate pathway disruption, our gut bacteria are harmed by glyphosate, as evidenced by the fact that it has been patented as an antimicrobial agent. – Stephanie Seneff

Ever been told that you need to supplement iron, folate, coenzyme Q10, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B12, Magnesium, Manganese, Chondroitin Sulfate, or Glutathione? All of these deficiencies are directly correlated to ingesting glyphosate that inhibits the production of precursors necessary to create those nutrients in bioavailable forms. Glyphosate binds to an enzyme, EPSPS, in the shikimate pathway that produces amino acids that are necessary to create bioavailable forms of nutrients listed above.

Glyphosate harms the bacteria and fungus in the soil and in our intestines leaving the soil and our bodies lacking in bioavailable nutrients. This creates a perceived need for fertilizers and supplements. But what we really need is avoid further use or ingestion of glyphosate and to flood the soil with bacteria and fungus to effectively break down the glyphosate. This can be accomplished by creating compost for farmland and ingesting fermented vegetables and mushrooms.

Illnesses that have increased with the use of glyphosate include but are not limited to Lyme disease, Autism, ALS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Insomnia, Obesity, Cancer, Tooth Decay, and Mitochondria Disease.

The most common sources of glyphosate in food are Round Up Ready GMO crops and conventionally grown crops that are sprayed with Roundup three days before harvest. Foods approved to be grown as GMOs in the US are corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, sugar beets (can be GMO and labeled organic), alfalfa, papaya, yellow “crook neck” squash, zucchini, “Arctic” apple, and “Innate” potato. Crops that are sprayed with Roundups a few days before harvest include wheat, peanuts, nuts, beans, lentils, and oats. These lists are a baseline, but are not all encompassing.

Conventional animal agriculture feeds their livestock with gmo corn and soy. The glyphosate builds up into the animal tissue and remains in the animal products you buy in stores and at restaurants. If you are not ready to give up animal products, make sure to buy grass fed, free range, organic animal products or wild caught fish.

Organic farmers are not allowed to spray Roundup on their crops, so eating organic is a great way to reduce exposure. However, conventional farmers use aerial spraying techniques that cause contamination of neighboring organic farms. Glyphosate is so prevalent in our society that trace amounts have been found in rainwater. It is not possible to completely eliminate glyphosate, but we can dramatically reduce exposure and support our elimination organs to prevent it from building up in our bodies.

Protect yourself from glyphosate by buying organic and non-gmo produce and going gluten-free. Products high in gluten, such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats are also heavily sprayed with Roundup. Most processed food includes ingredients that are sprayed with glyphosate. For a processed food to be certified organic, it only needs to contain 95% organic ingredients (unless labeled 100% organic). Therefore, even 5% of organic packaged foods could contain trace amounts of glyphosate in the form of gmos or conventional produce. Take control by growing your own garden, boycotting Monsanto, refusing to buy products sprayed with Roundup, and supporting your local organic farmers.

Liver flushes and coffee enemas support your liver and colon thereby increasing nutrient absorption and detoxification of toxins, such as glyphosate. Epsom salt baths help replenish magnesium and sulfur. Sea vegetables and sea salt help replenish trace minerals that are deficient in our soil. By completing a liver flush series, performing coffee enemas, taking regular Epsom salt baths, and eating an organic, non-gmo, whole food diet you can heal whatever chronic illness ails you and return to vibrancy without taking supplements. Nature has innate methods to return to a state of harmony. In agriculture, organic permaculture returns the land to harmony. In humans, organic food consumption and a healthy lifestyle returns our bodies to harmony.

For further reading, check out research by Dr. Stephanie Seneff at MIT. She has published several peer review articles looking at trends involving usage of Round Up.

 

Sources:

http://www.roundup.com/smg/goART3/Howto/how-do-roundup-weed-and-grass-killer-products-work/43200019

http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC4392553/