Food Allergy Protection

Food allergies can be defined as an antibody (immune system) response to a food antigen (irritant) leading to symptoms. That is, the immune system attacks food as if it was a foreign invader. Allergy symptoms can range in severity from barely perceptible to life-threatening depending on how the immune system reacts.



To protect the body against the irritating nature of food, the alimentary canal lining must be not damaged to allow digestion and absorption. If food is not broken down correctly, large particles of food can be interpreted by the body as foreign invaders.


The digestive tract is the barrier that blocks these particles from entering into the blood so it must be healthy (i.e. no holes or leaks).

Certain foods are more irritating than others hence why more people are allergic to these than others, eg. peanuts, shellfish, strawberries, chocolate, wheat, eggs and dairy.

To help prevent food allergies, you need to firstly break down your food correctly and secondly have an intact digestive tract.

The follow protocol of supplements can help you achieve both these goals:-

• Food enzymes which break down food compounds for assimilation into the bloodstream. Proactazynme is a fantastic general purpose enzyme supplement from plant sources containing, protease, amylase, glucoamylase, lipase, pectinase and cellulase. It helps the body digest all food types and helps break down difficult to digest foods.
• Bowel Build contains betaine HCl, pepsin and pancreatin to help break down food particles; psyllium hulls, kelp plant and chlorophyll to provide needed bulk, encourage proper flow of waste and detoxify the digestive system; vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C and vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol), zinc (gluconate) and selenium (amino acid chelate) to provide anti-oxidants and to help the production of antibodies; marshmallow root and parthenium root to soothe the mucosal tissue and help create sufficient mucus as a protective barrier; and ginger root serves as an anti-inflammatory. See your health care provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing. May cause a reaction in persons allergic to inhaled or ingested psyllium.
• Marshmallow & Chamomile Combination contains both marshmallow root and slippery elm which nourishes the mucosal tissue allowing the lower bowl to function properly.
• Una De Gato (Cat's Claw) is considered equal, if not superior, to the world’s foremost immune fortifying herbs, echinacea, golden seal, pau d’arco, garlic and siberian ginseng, as well as helping mucous production in the digestive tract.

The above protcol will help you digest all your food and prevent allergic reactions.

Excellent advice from the English Institute of Sport on Nutrition and Supplementation for Injury Recovery

The following is an article published by the English Institite of Sport (EIS) on nutrition and supplementation for recovery from injury

When injured, athletes face the battle of rehabilitation in the gym and physio room, however what they also choose to eat plays a vital role in their recovery.
Whilst appropriate nutrition won’t cut rehabilitation from weeks to days, if used effectively it can ensure that the healing process is optimal and can help athletes make a strong return.
English Institute of Sport (EIS) Performance Nutritionist Bronwen Lundy works with the British Olympic Association’s Intensive Rehabilitation Unit as their nutrition
specialist and says that views on nutrition injury have developed in recent
years.
“Traditionally, the first thing that would spring to mind when an athlete was injured was how to ensure they maintained their weight whilst training was reduced. We now know a lot more about the recovery process and the focus has shifted to the specific areas where nutrition can speed recovery up. So, whilst weight management is still on the list, it’s not the sole focus.”
EIS Performance Nutritionist Alex Popple explains just how specific areas of nutrition can support recovery. “Quick recovery from soft tissue damage, such as muscle tears and traumas, could require an increased protein intake, specifically the protein amino
acid leucine, to support new cell growth and repair” he says.

“Key micronutrients such as zinc, iron and magnesium are also important for the healing process and formation of new cells. Such micronutrient and protein demands can be met by adding red meat, milk, shellfish, eggs, nuts and seeds to your daily diet” he adds.
For bone strength and maintenance, Popple advises that increasing vitamin D and calcium intake may be helpful to making a return to form.

“For some athletes, some sun exposure will be enough to top up vitamin D stores, especially in winter; otherwise they may seek supplementation, as advised by their GP. As for calcium, having at least 3 servings of low-fat dairy products per day, for example milk, yoghurt and cheese, will help keep calcium intake up.”

When it comes to recovering from joint issues, Popple advises a combination of sources. “Some arthritic conditions, tendonitis and joint injuries may benefit from a glucosamine sulphate supplement. This is a vital component used in the formation of the connective tissues around joints; cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Adding an appropriate source during recovery from such conditions or even during hard training could help reduce joint pain and maintain flexibility of the joint. “Reducing inflammation during injury needs careful consideration; inflammation is a sign of damage and taking an anti-inflammatory to continue competing or training might not be the answer. Omega 3s, such as EPA and ALA, are a natural anti-inflammatory and can help prevent those achy knees! Olive oils, nuts and oily fish (such as salmon, tuna and mackerel) are the best sources. Omega 3 oils are encouraged as part of a normal healthy diet to reduce the risk of heart disease, so this is an added benefit” he adds.
The type of injury will dictate the nutritional recommendations that are provided to support recovery and it is advised to liaise with a professional for specific requirements. Some supplements may need to be avoided during injury and early in rehabilitation, particularly if surgery is needed. Always check with your GP, sports nutritionist or specialist.

Good fats? Sounds fishy to me! - Inspiring Fitness - www.inspiringfitness.co.uk

My latest blog on Omega-3 fatty acids.
Good fats? Sounds fishy to me! - Inspiring Fitness - www.inspiringfitness.co.uk

Evening Standard - Wed 27 Jan 2010 - Heath&Beauty

Tonight's 'Evening Standard' newspaper, distributed in London, U.K., had two articles in succession that tweaked my interest enough to offer my opinions.

The first, an interview article with celebrity chef, Anthony Worrall Thompson highlighted the growing number of people being diagnosed with and dying from complications to do with Syndrome X, a condition associated with high blood fats (HDL and trigylerides), high blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity. This condition can lead to cardiovascular disease and Type II (Non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Some of the more eye opening quotes for the general public included:-

I could have died from diabetes, says Antony Worrall Thompson

When his wife Jacinta picked him up after the test
results, his first words were "I'm going to die".

"More people are going to die from diabetes than
from smoking. People don't realise that you can lose limbs (through
diabetes)."

Though really just a promotional piece for Worrall Thompson's new cookbook for diabetics, this is a brillant article to highlight the apathy of the general public about Syndrome X and its causes. People do not seem to understand the seriousness of this condition, and it does not get the government support and health promotion that it should.

Perhaps it is because it is somewhat of a 'silent killer' in that people can be fairly assymptomatic untill it is too late. As Worrall Thompson stated,

''I was fat but I'd never been ill with so much as a cold. The diagnosis really
shook me up - the doctors said I was well on my way to becoming a diabetic.''

I've had person experience with these attitudes, with close friends and family members refusing to take signs and symptoms, like loss of sensation in the limb extremities and high blood sugar readings, seriously! I guess no one expects to lose a limb.

The second article, The City girl diet, was much more a paid for promotion for a colonic irrigation, or 'hydrotherapy' as used in the article, clinic.

The programme requires the poor soul to abstain from alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, meat and sugars; drink meal replacement juices, shakes or teas; permits vegetable broth only halfway through; and requires a colonic 'hydrotherapy' session at the end of the 5 days.

Now, I'm not anti-detoxing! I'm quite pro, in fact. Detoxing allows the large and small intestines to be cleared of all the gunk that sticks to them during digestion and elimination.

But why suffer when you don't have to? I think a much better option is to cut out the alcohol, caffeine, etc and take the juices and shakes in the form of capsule supplements, sold by company's like Nature's Sunshine. That way you can avoid the nasty tastes, and get to eat solid food.

In regards to the colonic, I'm still not convinced about them. I know people who swear by them, I know others who say that they didn't help at all. I think by simply following this diet and taking the supplements, your body will eliminate anything that is stuck inside you. And that way, you can avoid the hose up the...