Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Is it Allergies – or Detoxification?

More and more people are experiencing allergies and suffering with the symptoms they bring. In past Wellness Reports we have discussed how histamine receptors trigger inflammation in the four tissues they populate: the airways, the digestive/reproductive tract, our brain and our immune system. Histamine is very inflammatory and easily triggers runaway inflammation.

In this discussion we will look specifically at histamines, toxins and allergies. We will also get a chance to discuss ways to help reduce the impact of allergies and their annoying symptoms.

Allergy or toxin?
The symptoms of allergy may be more obscure than you think. For example, sneezing may be an allergy symptom, but muscle pain, insomnia and acid reflux may also be signs of allergy. These are signs of excessive histamines.

The symptoms of toxicity may also be more obscure than you think. For example, headaches, joint pains, colitis and poor coordination may be signs of toxicity. So may skin eruptions.

Your body has a unique detoxification system. It comes with many fail-safe mechanisms. A toxin may simply be detoxified and rendered harmless – usually by the liver. This is often accomplished through enzymes with the help of antioxidants. These poisons may be turned into useful tools, such as when blood toxins are turned into bile to help us digest fat from our diet.

Some toxins are difficult to detoxify; they may be stored permanently in fat. Other toxins and allergens are stored temporarily in water in the lymphatic system. This is why people get "puffy" with allergies or toxicity.

Another technique for ridding your body of toxins is excretion through your urine, colon, lungs, breath (about 75% of all body toxins are eliminated by breathing deeply), and also through your skin. Toxins that come out through the skin leave distinct blemishes. They may become infected and leave scars. Allergies that affect the skin have a different appearance, usually as large, water-filled blisters or hives. These are signs of excessive histamines.

How do I know?
How can you tell if you are having an allergic reaction versus a detoxification reaction? Easy: histamines elevate your pulse rate.

Do this: First thing in the morning, before you have a drink of water, before you brush your teeth, before you do anything else sit quietly for a few minutes and count your pulse rate. Count it for a full minute and write it down. Now, ingest the substance you want to test and continue to sit quietly for another 5 minutes. Practice some deep breathing to keep yourself relaxed and calm. At the end of 5 minutes, count your pulse rate again. A substance that is "good for you" will not elevate your pulse rate; or, if it does, it will not be much – 2 to 4 beats per minute. If you are allergic to the substance it will elevate your pulse rate a lot: 6 to 8 beats per minute for a mild allergy, 8 to 12 for a moderate allergy and more than 12 for a significant allergy.

You can use this technique with any food or other substance to which you suspect you are allergic.

A word about Nopalea™
Over the past few years I have addressed concerns people have while taking Nopalea. Usually, these issues are related to detoxification – and Nopalea is known to promote detoxification, especially of the waste water in your lymphatic system. Your body may attempt to push these toxins out through your skin, leaving bumps and blemishes. These are not signs of allergy; they are signs of rapid detoxification.

If you experience skin bumps or blemishes, I recommend discontinuing Nopalea for three days, and then taking the pulse test to see if it is a true allergy or merely rapid detoxification.

Remember, anyone may be allergic to anything. So, theoretically, someone may be allergic to Nopalea; but, it is not very likely. More often, skin reactions to Nopalea are detoxification reactions rather than allergy.

What to do...
If you are allergic to Nopalea – if your pulse rate increases more than 6 beats per minute within 5 minutes while sitting quietly – you may use "systematic desensitization" to reduce the allergy. Discontinue using Nopalea until the symptoms disappear, then add 1 ounce of Nopalea to 1 quart of pure water and drink this early in the day. Nopalea contains Betalains and Betalains are used to reduce allergy symptoms. You may also supplement with Vital C (a teaspoon in the morning and a tablet at bedtime) and Super B to help reduce the excessive histamine response.

If you are detoxifying too rapidly – if your pulse rate does not go up, or if it only goes up 2 to 4 beats per minute – simply reduce your serving size to a level that is comfortable for you. It will take longer to break the cycle of inflammation, but you won't have to endure the discomfort of pushing toxins out through your skin.

In the end, we are responsible as individuals to learn to listen to the messages from our body. I hope this tool helps you further develop this dialogue with your body now that you know how to tell an allergy from detoxification!

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