-Seasonal allergy-

It is that time of the year again! As the temperature rises, trees, grass and other plants activate their growth cycle rapidly. The reproduction of plants release pollens into our atmosphere which causes an estimated 10 million Canadians to suffer from allergy symptoms. Allergy season seems to get worse and worse every year because our climate is becoming warmer than normal globally each year.

Allergic symptoms occur because our immune system is hyperactive and becomes oversensitive to allergens. Risks of allergy development include genetics, stress, allergen exposure, and body toxic burden.

Upon exposure to allergens, our immune system will produce specific antibodies to the allergens. These antibodies will trigger a cascade of immune reactions which include the migrate of Mast cells towards the surface of our nose, eyes, throat and lungs. Once the Mast cells are in place and the allergens come into contact, the Mast cells will release a chemical called Histamine in response to exposure. Histamine causes dilation of blood vessels, which translates into swollen skin, contraction of smooth muscles and hypersecretion of fluids.

The Histamine release explains why we have stuffy nose, itchy watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing and asthma attack (in asthmatic patients)

Pollen schedule of
British Columbia:

Tree (Mar-May)

Grass (May- Jul)

Weed (Jul-Oct)

Conventional Treatments:

1)     Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl, Reactine, Allegra, Claritin, and Aerius etc

I am sure everyone including me has used these at some point of our lives. Eventually none of these medications will work for us because our immune systems became adapted to them.

2)     Allergy shot

Allergy shots are done at the specialist’s office. It can be time consuming, and painful as you will need it done as frequent as weekly. This will require a referral by your family doctor. So far it is proven to work well for severe allergic cases. But what about the rest of us who aren’t the extreme cases?

Latest Allergy Treatment

1)     SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy)

This type of treatment represents 70% of allergy treatments in Europe. In Canada, we are slowly transitioning towards SLIT instead of allergy shots because of its effectiveness and practicality. It has been proven to work in over 60 clinical trials.

How does SLIT work

Patients will be screened to find out their specific sensitivities at our office first. This will confirm their allergen type(s) and allow specific solutions to be compounded for them.

SLIT is given as drops under the tongue 3 times daily. It works by building our immune tolerance to the allergen. Every drop introduces very small amount of allergen(s) to gradually teach our body to tolerate the allergens. The daily drops simulate exposure and our immune system will be desensitized to the allergens in time. SLIT is initially used during allergy season, but as symptoms improve, we recommend using it pre-season which means 30-60 days prior to allergy season to prepare our body’s defense.

SLIT will reduce your dependency to antihistamine medications. It is easy to use even on young children. Unlike allergy shots, it is painless and requires no time away from work or school due to appointments at your specialist’s office.

Majority of patients experience significant symptom relief within initial few months of SLIT. As with all allergy immunotherapy including shots, it is recommended to continue for 3-5yrs for permanent desensitization.

Insurance Coverage

SLIT serums are compounded with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) which are recognized by most extended health care plan for cost reimbursement. This in my opinion is the best treatment for allergies because of its efficacy and cost saving benefit.

For more information on SLIT, visit www.westernallergy.com or ask me about
it at the clinic.

First of all, we are blessed to have our healthy baby boy delivered this month by our very knowledgeable team of midwives who worked with us throughout the entire pregnancy.  I felt that it is necessary to share the information about some things to take during pregnancy to boost the health of the mother as well as the developing fetus.

There are many factors that can have impact on the baby’s health and development.  It is our duty as parents and as doctors to make sure that we provide the best to the baby from the very beginning.

We believe that it is necessary to detoxify our body prior to conceiving, therefore the very first step that I recommend for every parent to do is a cleansing program which reduces toxic burden to our body, and improves hormonal regulation.  This paves a clean path for your new baby to come.  Cleansing program is not only dietary changes and supplement support, but it also involves quitting risky habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse.

Prior to conceiving, we recommend the mother to begin supplementation of folic acid either individually or formulated in a prenatal multi vitamin form.  Folic acid should be taken at least 3 month before pregnancy and continue throughout the entire term.  My suggested dose would be minimum 400mcg to 1000mcg per day.  One can also obtain extra folic acid from food sources such as spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets and oranges.

Folic acid deficiency is linked to Neural tube defects as well as low birth weight.  An improper neural tube closure during early pregnancy will result in spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and lifelong disability of the newborn due to spinal and brain abnormalities.

As the fetus grows, the mother will need to increase her blood supply to support the extra oxygen, nutrient and waste removal for the baby.  A pregnant woman will have increased her blood volume by about 40-50%. Iron supplementation is necessary to provide building block to such increased requirement.  Nausea and vomiting are often signs of hormonal changes and anemia.  It is also very important to take iron in preparation for the blood lost during delivery.  The recommended dose for iron is 27mg/day in pregnancy.

Recent study shows clear evidence that iron lowers the risk of low birth weight in pregnant women.  As we know it, iron is as important as folic acid during pregnancy. I would highly recommend having your iron levels checked during pregnancy and increase your iron storage accordingly.

Finally, we elected to add Vitamin D for ourselves.  Vitamin D plays an important role to the immune system and skeletal growth.  A deficiency in Vit D increases the risk of preeclampsia and preterm labor.  A comparison study found that women who are VitD deficient are 4 times more likely to have a c-section than women with normal levels. Please refer to the Vit D article for details on dosage.  Generally speaking, 2000IU per day is the minimum starting point for pregnant mother.

Planning to have a baby? Make sure you get a head start in preparation, and remember
healthy parents equal healthy baby.

Symptoms

Depending on the individual, you may experience different symptoms.  Some people may have rhinitis, or excessive mucus production and buildup in their sinus or nasal passages.  This mimics or exacerbates a cold, headache or ear infection in kids.

Vasodilation is also one of the major effects which can cause migraine or other headaches.

One of the major symptoms of food allergy is eczema.  With vasodilation and antibodies reaction, you get  swollen, itchy, red skin that can also crack, ooze fluid and bleed at times.

Here are some common symptoms:

• Eczema
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Migraine or other headaches
• Abdominal pain/ bloating/belching/flatulence
• Dark circles around eyes

Incidence and causes of food allergy

Food allergy is very common in infants (3-5%) as their intestinal tracts are not well developed, but can occur in adults as well.

Genetic background also determines a child’s tolerance to food.  If one parent has allergies, there is a 20-40% chance the child will have it.  If both parents have allergies, the child is 40-60% more likely to have allergies.

Some other causes of food allergies include stress, antibiotic usage, frequent alcohol usage, past food poisoning, hormonal imbalance and overexposure of certain food.

Risk factors of food allergies are infants, people with family history of asthma and eczema, alcoholics, inflammatory bowel diseases (crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease and Irritable bowel syndrome.

Food allergy test

There are several tests out there for food allergies.  Below are two of the most common tests.

1)      Blood test: involves taking a sample of blood and screen its antibody contents against the foods in question using IgG antibodies.  “92 food panel” that checks for IgGs of those foods is my choice of test.  The results are very accurate, making treatments more specific and successful.

2)      Skin prick test: involves breaking open one’s skin and adding drops of a certain kind of food to check for reactivity of the skin.  Essentially, you are looking for any itchiness and size of swellings. This is very commonly done by dermatologists or allergy specialists.  In my opinion, it is not very practical, as the subject will be poked up to 90+ times and have pen marks on their back, not to mention the time involved in this.

Most important reason that I do not prefer this method for testing is because it is screening for IgE antibodies. Allergic reactions induced by IgE antibodies are immediate, and usually involves contact.  It is more accurate and useful for contact dermatitis, seasonal allergies or other environmental pollutants, whereas the immune reaction of food allergens in digestive tract is much slower acting and requires a buildup over time.  This delayed  immune reactions in our digestive tract is more reflective of  the level of  intestinal damage and frequency of  exposure of the same food in a leaky gut patient.

How do we treat it?

After testing and finding out the type of allergens we are dealing with, we will follow 3 steps strategy.

1)      Remove: eliminate allergens

2)      Re-inoculate: provide healthy bacterial flora for proper digestion

3)      Repair: provide nutrients to support healthy cell growth (reduce leakiness)

Depending on your progress, most people show resolved symptoms quickly.  Once the gut is healed, it is possible to reintroduce all kinds of foods that you enjoy, provided that you make the right choice of foods and eat everything  in moderation.  After all, you are what you eat!

Coconut oil is made up of approximately 50% of Lauric acid that helps strengthen immune system and has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Mother’s breast milk is the only other source rich in Lauric acid.   The followings are other health benefits of coconut oil.

•       Protects you from heart disease
•       Supports the thyroid function
•       Helps stimulate your metabolism, therefore, promotes weight loss
•       Improves your digestion
•       Helps control diabetes
•       gives a rapid energy source

Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil is in its purest and freshest, therefore is the healthiest form of coconut oil without any GMO ingredients.  It also has not been processed, refined or hydrogenated. 

Here are some of the ways I use coconut oil in my daily life;

Cooking

Coconut oil is very heat stable and is resistant to rancidity, making it a healthier alternative to other polyunsaturated vegetable cooking oils such as canola, corn, and sunflower oil.   These vegetable oils are heat sensitive and they release damaging free radicals.  Only other oil I use in my kitchen is Extra Virgin Olive oil, but only in a non-heated form such as a salad dressing.  Olive oil is also very susceptible to oxidative damage when heated.  I have been using the coconut oil in stir-frying, baking and adding it to smoothies and to hot oatmeal.  It can be used over salad and popcorn, and can also be used like butter as a spread.  I very much enjoy its fresh, light flavor. 

Skin and Hair

Coconut oil also has skin-nourishing effect.  It is anti-aging, protecting the skin from sun damage and wrinkles, and makes the skin smoother.  I personally love using it as a moisturizer after my shower.  It melts into my skin and really nourishes the dry skin.  Once in a while, I also use coconut oil as a deep conditioning treatment for my hair.  It helps the healthy growth of hair, prevents any dandruff or dryness of the scalp. 

In addition, I have been recommending coconut oil to be used topically to my eczema patients.  It has helped them to relieve the itchiness and dryness of the skin without any fragrance or chemicals.  Having the antimicrobial properties, it helps to heal and to repair the skin.

Next time you are shopping for an oil of your choice, you know which one to reach out for!  Make the healthy choice for your health both in your kitchen and in your bathroom.

Sunlight is the most effective way to get vitamin D.  However, people living in Vancouver spend about six months of the year under cloudy skies and nearly two thirds of the population has inadequate levels of vitamin D.  What about getting it through food?  Only very few foods are natural sources – Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, egg yolks, beef liver, and swiss cheese.  Most contain less than 300 IU per serving, which is not enough to offer adequate amounts without sun exposure or supplementation.  

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of vitamin D in our overall health.  Vitamin D is believed to be beneficial in preventing cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes. It also acts as an immune modulator and stimulates immune fighting cells, thus fight infections, including flu. And, the list goes on and on as deficiency of vitamin D can potentially impact all 36 organs.

According to a recent study in Japan, vitamin D is better than the flu vaccine!  This study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the anti-viral drugs reduce risk of flu infection by 8 percent in children who have been exposed to infection, compared to a 50 percent or greater reduction with vitamin D. [i]

If you are pregnant, maintaining the optimal vitamin D level is one of the most important strategies to keep you and your baby healthy.  It prevents low birth weight, lowers your risk of pre-eclampsia (a sudden onset of high blood pressure during pregnancy), and lowers your baby’s risk of diseases such as infantile hypocalcaemia and rickets.

The current Canada DRI (Dietary Reference Intakes) of 400IU – 600 IU (international units) vitamin D is recommended to prevent rickets, but is not enough to give the protection from cancer, infections and heart disease.  Most adults will need about 3,000- 4,000 IU’s a day to achieve the healthy blood level, and children under 12 years old will need about 1,000- 2,000 IU’s.

Vitamin D requirements are highly individual, and the only accurate way to determine your optimal dose is to get your blood 25 hydroxy D level tested regularly.  Ideally, you want to maintain a vitamin D level of at least 50ng/ml and higher.  Adults, pregnant women, and children all have varying recommended dosages and so should seek advice from your family naturopath before beginning supplementation with vitamin D.

A basic guideline in diet, lifestyle and nutritional support to prevent colds and flu is as follows:

Diet

•       Whole Food Diet: A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds
•       Drink adequate water, at least 6-8 glasses of water a day!  
•       Avoid refined sugar as a single sugary treat can depress your immune system for up to 48 hours after the intake. 

Lifestyle

•       Stress management as stress can play a major contributing factor in depressed immunity, take baths, or try yoga, meditation or Qigong
•       Exercise, choose something that is enjoyable. Body movements help improve circulation, move lymphatic system, thereby helping detoxify your body.
•       Keep your neck warm to protect it from wind, drafts, and cold. Wear turtle neck sweaters and scarves. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that the neck is the area where wind can invade the body and cause sickness.
•       Ensure adequate rest and go to bed earlier!

Nutritional support

•       Vitamin C daily as it is an antioxidant which helps to prevent and treat any viral infections.
•       Vitamin D3 [1,25(OH) 2] acts as an immune system modulator. You can get Vitamin D blood test done to know your exact levels, and determine your daily dosage. It can be as little as 1000 IUs per day or up to 5-6000 IUs per day or more!
•       Probiotics: Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus reduce the incidence of fever and colds. Keep in mind, 80% of your immune system actually live in your gut. 

In addition to above guideline, our clinic offers Naturopathic Flu Prevention Program which is designed to keep your immune system strong and to give added protection against the cold and flu viruses.

Book a 30 minute visit with our naturopathic doctor for:

Natural Flu Shot: safe and effective alternative to the regular flu shot.  It is a combination of homeopathic remedies to stimulate body’s own health defense system. Injection can be replaced with an oral formula for children under 14 years old.

Take-home flu prevention kit: includes high quality supplements to provide added protection against viruses and boost immune system. 

Nutrition and Lifestyle Recommendations: Beneficial and personalized assessment and recommendations to sustain healthy immunity.

Keep you and your family healthy and strong going into this cold and flu season and Stay happy and healthy, everyone!