Colon Cleansing | Being Allergic
The word allergy is used to describe an abnormal reaction (allergic reaction) by an individual to a normally harmless substance called an allergen. This reaction is created by the body’s immune system. The critical message is – an allergy is an immune system disorder.
The common approach when dealing with an allergy is to blame the allergen. But, if 100 individuals drank orange juice and only one person had an allergic reaction, why blame the orange juice? The real culprit is the abnormal immune system of that one individual. The immune system causes the body to release certain chemicals like histamine that cause allergy symptoms.
It is also important to understand that, just because there is a relationship between exposure to a substance and the development of symptoms, it does not always mean that a person is allergic to that substance. For example, if you feel unwell after taking a particular medication, that does not mean that you are allergic to it. Medicines have known and unknown side effects and these side effects are not necessarily allergic, ie they may not involve the immune system. So, not everyone who fainted after having a penicillin injection is allergic to penicillin.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system is the body’s defence system and is meant to protect us from unhealthy agents and substances in our environment. Small wonder therefore, that the immune system is most powerfully developed in those areas where our bodies make contact with the outside world – the skin, the respiratory tract from nostrils to lungs, and the digestive system.
The digestive tract from end to end is surrounded by over 70 per cent of the body’s immune system. It is called GALT – Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue. With good reason – in your lifetime, you may consume up to 100,000 pounds of food and drink with lots of unhealthy chemicals added to it. Many allergies are related to our diet.
The respiratory system is also well fortified with protective tissues from the immune system in the tonsils, adenoids, sinuses, nostrils and airways. What about the respiratory allergies – asthma, sinusitis, and rhinitis? Not far away, the eyes are also frequent victims of allergies. Well on average we breathe 368 million times in a lifetime moving 1.3 billion litres of air in and out of our airways and lungs. Unfortunately, our modern atmosphere is loaded with lots of toxic chemicals and contaminants.
The skin is another organ with a powerful immune system component and its epidermis (the outer layer) is generously supplied with special immune-system cells. Eczema, rashes, urticaria, hives and dermatitis are all manifestations of a reaction of the immune system to foreign agents outside or inside the body. Modern man is constantly exposed to a bewildering array of substances. Some are from accidental contact but also from the deliberate application of skin and haircare products loaded with unhealthy chemicals.
Internally, there are major immune system organs like the spleen, thymus gland, the lymphatic system, the white blood cells and the bone marrow.
Can the tremendous increase in our exposure to allergens give rise to an immune system that is constantly on high alert anticipating bad things? Could that cause it to overreact and create allergies? This is, in my opinion, the major issue – man-made contamination of our food, water and air. Interestingly, in industrialised countries allergic diseases are more common than in less-developed ones; and there are more allergies in urban populations than rural populations.
DO NOT JUST TREAT SYMPTOMS
The shelves of our pharmacies are lined with products to treat the symptoms of allergies of the skin, the respiratory and the digestive systems. They do not address the underlying cause, give only temporary relief and are often totally ineffective. In my opinion, symptom relief may be necessary in the short term but harmful in the long term. Patients often become dependant on these medications, they suffer from numerous side effects and, most important, they worsen their overall health by constantly suppressing the immune system.
Symptoms actually have value. A runny nose is the body’s effort to wash out the irritants from the passages, while stuffiness and spasms may be its attempt to prevent more harmful stuff from being inhaled. A cough and a sneeze are tools for expelling unhealthy air. Diarrhoea and vomiting reflects the body purging itself. Skin rashes and itches give us powerful warnings that we may be in contact with something harmful. We should not just treat symptoms.
AVOID THE IRRITANTS
It is important to do as much as is possible to avoid further exposure to allergens from food, drink, air and on the skin. Clean up your diet eliminating dairy products, processed foods and food additives. Clean up your environment and avoid dust, moulds, chemicals and environmental pollution. The
dust mite found in house dust is a particular problem. The faecal material they leave about our carpets and furniture and the bodies of dead mites cause allergic reactions. Another common allergen grows wherever it’s dark and humid. Inhale them and, if you are allergic, you will react. Learn to read the labels of everything that you apply to your skin, as many of these products cause reactions.
DETOXIFY THE BODY
Natural treatments are available that facilitate the removal of toxins from the body. These include saunas, colon cleansing and the use of herbs. Aloe vera concentrate as a drink, along with fibre and the healthy probiotic bacteria, is a powerful combination for cleansing and healing the disturbed digestive system. The more polluted your diet and environment, the more important detoxification is.
BALANCE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Take lots of antioxidants. These include the ACES – vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium. Vitamin C in high dosages works well as a non-drug antihistamine to relieve allergic reactions. Also, boost your intake of herbs and other nutrients. I particularly recommend a combination of the antioxidant herbs schizandra and rosemary along with the ACES, that is conveniently available in tablet form. Include in your diet lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh fruit juices. Large quantities of the omega-3 fatty acids are also extremely useful in controlling the inflammation produced by allergic reactions.
MANAGE STRESS
Many difficult-to-control allergies dramatically improve with adequate rest and stress management. The mind has its own powerful effect on the immune system.
You may email Dr Tony Vendryes at tonyvendryes@gmail.com, or listen to ‘An ounce of Prevention on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. His new book An Ounce of Prevention – Especially for Women is now available.
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