Allergies

Are Wheat & Gluten Causing Your Symptoms?

July 2, 2020 | Nutritional Counseling

Last week, I met a professional goal:  I completed my studies to become a Certified Gluten Practitioner.  And while I’m thrilled to have more information to share with clients, one stat just hit me in the gut (pun intended).   Six to seven out of 10 people have some sort of Wheat Related Disorder and are on a continuum for an Autoimmune Disease. So a majority of us are running around allergic to wheat to some degree?  Are you one of them?I didn’t think I was…until last fall. My StoryI had been complaining of a drop in energy—perhaps it was my studies in Nutrition Therapy coupled with some recent life changes.  One life change was beginning my work at Dragonfly 360 Yoga & Wellness to support Dr. Melanie’s naturopathic clients with dietary challenges and changes.  Because of my symptoms, Dr. Melanie encouraged me to look into a great lab test called the Wheat … Continued

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Watch: NAET for Natural Allergy Relief

April 26, 2019 | Naturopathic Medicine

One of my favorite treatments is NAET.  As a Naturopathic doctor, NAET is a gentle treatment that I use every day for children and adults alike.  I use it frequently in my practice because it works.What is NAET?Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique, also known as NAET®, is a natural allergy treatment to help alleviate allergies and sensitivities. Based on the ancient Chinese principals used for acupuncture and current theories of physics called interference, NAET uses acupressure to stimulate points on the body (called gatepoints).Dr. Nambudripad has conducted studies using NAET® for not only allergy treatment but also for autism. These studies, as well as testimonials, can be found at www.NAET.com. Naturopathic View of Allergies & Sensitivities In Naturopathic medicine, an allergy may be due to a physical imbalance such as digestive issues or a blockage or imbalance in the energetic body.  A food intolerance or sensitivity is an immune response to either immunoglobulin G (IgG) or … Continued

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Beat Sugar Cravings with NAET

January 17, 2019 | Naturopathic Medicine

Who doesn’t have food cravings?  We often think about cravings as a psychological phenomena.  An itch you can’t scratch.  But beating cravings isn’t as easy as practicing self-discipline, although that is an important aspect.  Food cravings can come from physiological issues as well as the mental/emotional pull. Desiring food as comfort can in itself be a symptom of food sensitivities or intolerance.  A food intolerance or sensitivity is an immune response to either immunoglobulin G (IgG) or immunoglobulin A (IgA).  Reactions to food could be delayed up to 48 hours after ingesting the food, which makes identifying the issue a challenge.  Regular stomach discomfort is caused by an inability to digest or metabolize a food completely.  Symptoms may include gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. Oddly enough, having an intolerance to a food may make you crave that food. Having a mild immune reaction to foods may act like an endorphin (e.g., runner’s high) in … Continued

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TLC for a Healthy, Happy Gut

November 27, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

The digestive system is the power center of the body. There are more organs in this system than any other system. It keeps things moving in the right direction. Regular bowel movements are the cornerstone of good health as can ensure proper detoxification and absorption of nutrients. Anything interfering with these processes interferes with energy, sleep, mood, immune function and more. Therefore chronic constipation may lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, yeast overgrowth (candida), migraines and allergies. As a naturopathic doctor, chronic constipation is a common issue that I help address. After each meal, you should produce a bowel movement. Although it is very common, finding the underlying cause can be complex and differ from person to person.  Blanket treatments such as laxatives often do not address the true issue and long term use can come with side effects. The body is very complex and the root issue must be found for overall health.   Constipation is usually a symptom of other issues caused … Continued

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Homeopathy for Your Family During Cold & Flu Season

October 22, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

 Everyday in my practice, I help adults and children to address chronic conditions such as allergies, digestive issues, and hormonal imbalances.  A major part of addressing health concerns is dealing with the little flus and viruses that come and go.As a Naturopathic doctor who practices homeopathy, I team up with natural bodily functions in order to help the body’s innate ability to heal itself, which is the cornerstone belief of homeopathy.  According to homeopathic medicine, symptoms can be alleviated by small doses of substances which produce similar symptoms in healthy people.  What is Homeopathy?The word homeopathy is a Greek term that means means “like disease.”  Homeopathy can be traced back to the Greek Father of Medicine, Hippocrates.  It was the German physician Dr. C. F. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who tested and refined homeopathic practices and remedies.  Homeopathic medicine is founded on two major principles: that “like cures like” and “law of minimum does.”Like … Continued

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NAET for Children’s Top 7 Icks & Aches

October 11, 2018 | NAET

Kids are always running.  Running in the kitchen, to the car, on the playground, into your arms.  One of the greatest joys of parenthood is watching your child play and laugh.  But while they are running from one place to the other, it seems there is a seemingly constant battle with runny noses, tummy aches, and sleep problems.  A box of tissues in every room is a crucial staple to your home’s decor. Many over-the-counter medications offered to children come with undesirable side effects, such as drowsiness, and they only provide short bursts of relief.  Especially for children with severe allergies, drowsiness effects their school, social, and play time.  There’s no time to be sick when there is fun to be had!  As a Naturopathic doctor, I use homeopathic and natural remedies to help children through icky symptoms and to build strong immune systems.  One of my favorite treatments is NAET.  NAET … Continued

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Are Allergies Causing You Anxiety?

June 1, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

Is your sleep disturbed?  Are you tossing and turning, or maybe having a hard time falling and staying asleep?  Are you feeling more stressed out than normal? Do you feel depressed but don’t know why? There are many factors that cause insomnia, depression and anxiety, but one of the most overlooked causes is allergies.  While taking an antihistamine can treat runny nose and itchy eyes, long term use can exaggerate sleep disturbances and mood issues. What are histamines? Histamines are stimulatory neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Our bodies naturally have histamine circulating, which helps control energy levels, motivation, and the sleep-wake cycle. Histamine is an important neurotransmitter but when it increases due to a toxin or insect bite, other neurotransmitters such as epinephrine (adrenaline) may be affected.  Epinephrine helps lower large increases of histamine.  While allergies often present as itchy eyes or sinus congestion, anxiety and insomnia are also common symptoms due to the increase … Continued

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Don’t Write Lectins Out of Your Diet… Yet

April 5, 2018 | Naturopathic Medicine

Benefits of LectinsLectins are proteins that bind carbohydrates. By binding to carbohydrates during digestion, they reduce the glycemic effects of food. By stabilizing blood sugar, there may be benefits such as weight loss, sustained energy, improved focus, and reduced blood pressure. Many foods with lectins are nutrient dense foods such as beans, nuts, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Plant lectins are thought to be a defense.  They protect plants against pathogens and insects similar to phytochemical in plants. For this reason, plant lectins offer anti-microbial properties and immunity support. Problem with Lectins One common lectin that poses issues is wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin. This lectin is found in wheat as well as other cereal grains including the sprouted forms.  Like gluten, it may cause inflammation in the body, not only in the gastrointestinal system, but also may affect the endocrine, neurological and immune systems.A diet that has received press lately is the lectin free diet. This … Continued

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Treating Allergies May Aid Insomnia

October 6, 2016 | Allergies

When most people think of allergies they think of itchy eyes or sinus congestion. But did you know that allergies can also cause your brain to be overstimulated leading to insomnia, anxiety or stress?  Histamines, which are typically responsible for allergy symptoms, are also stimulatory neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Our bodies naturally have histamine circulating but when a foreign substance such as a toxin or insect bite is introduced the body may produce large amounts of histamine.Histamine is an important neurotransmitter but when it increases other neurotransmitters may be affected. With an increase of histamine the body produces epinephrine (adrenaline) to help lower histamine. This extra epinephrine may lead to anxiety or insomnia and over time adrenal fatigue.Classical anti-histamine medicines cause drowsiness as they are blocking the influx of histamines. Long term use of allergy medications also comes with potential side effects such as fatigue. Histamine is not only involved in … Continued

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