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5 Supplements that help Autoimmune Disorders
By Dominick Hussey 4 Comments Autoimmune Disease

5 Best Natural Supplements That Help Autoimmune Disease (Today)

Are You Looking For Natural Supplements That Help Autoimmune Disease?

You Are In The Right Place.

Today, I am giving you my five favourite natural supplements that I prescribe my clients who have an autoimmune disease.

The best part?

Research has shown that all 5 of these supplements work! 

Read on to learn more

Vitamin D

Supplementing with vitamin D has been shown to help various autoimmune conditions.

There is also evidence that some people with autoimmune disease may have a vitamin D deficiency even when their blood vitamin D levels are normal.

For circulating vitamin D to carry out its functions, it must initially turn on the vitamin D receptor.

The issue is that some people with autoimmune disease have a faulty gene that influences the function of the vitamin D receptor and thus decreases the physiological activity of vitamin D.

One research paper showed that some patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis have such a defect in their vitamin D receptors.

For these reasons, I suggest that my clients with autoimmune disease maintain their vitamin D at a high level of 150.

Glutathione

Glutathione enables optimal T-regulatory cell function, and consequently, plays a principal part in stabilising the immune system.

Not surprisingly, people with autoimmune disease often have reduced levels of glutathione, and increasing glutathione levels in these circumstances can lead to clinical improvement.

There’s little doubt that increasing glutathione levels should be a primary goal of anyone struggling with an immune-related disease.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

Familiar, oral glutathione supplements are often useless.

Three amino acids form Glutathione: glycine, cysteine, and glutamate.

When we take glutathione by mouth, we digest and absorb these amino acids separately in the gastrointestinal tract, which means the glutathione molecule is not absorbed wholly into the cells where it’s required.

Another strategy is to use glutathione precursors like N-acetyl cysteine to provide the body with the building blocks it needs to make glutathione.

But, for various reasons, in those that are chronically sick, will hinder the ability to make this conversion.

Finally, some doctors like to prescribe glutathione by injection.

This works, however, the effects are short-term, and it involves considerable expense and time.

Luckily, scientists have invented two new types of oral glutathione that both efficiently increase glutathione in the cells:

Liposomal glutathione: A liposome with of the same material as our cell membranes.

When glutathione is in a liposome, it is shielded from digestion by digestive enzymes and passed wholly into the bloodstream, where it can then enter the cell.

Research papers have found that liposomal glutathione is effective at increasing glutathione levels in the cells.

The suggested dose is 400–500 mg per day.

S-acetyl glutathione is an orally stable type of glutathione that has been found to increase intracellular glutathione levels.

Unlike other forms of glutathione, S-acetyl glutathione is absorbed wholly and can enter the cell, which is where it’s required.

The suggested dose is 300 mg twice a day.

Curcumin

Curcumin has been shown to benefit autoimmune disease in both animal and human studies.

It optimises T-regulatory cell function, decreases inflammation, and defends against oxidative damage.

But, as with glutathione, not all curcumin supplements on the market are the same.

Curcumin is poorly absorbed when taken by mouth.

We excrete most without using it.

And the small amount that we do absorb and our body brakes down into forms that quickly pass from the body through urination.

Poor absorption reduces curcumin’s ability to reach the cells outside of the gastrointestinal tract.

Luckily, scientists have invented a new, water-soluble type of curcumin that surmounts these drawbacks.

Researchers suggest that this type may be up to 27 times more bioavailable than conventional curcumin.

The recommended dosage is one 600 mg capsule three times daily for the first seven days, followed by one capsule daily after that.

EPA and DHA

Though I favour that you satisfy your EPA and DHA requirement by consuming cold-water, fatty fish, I recognise that’s not always feasible.

If you’re using fermented cod liver oil, it does include a modest measure of both EPA and DHA.

Some may benefit from supplementary EPA and DHA, which you can acquire by taking one gram per day of high-quality fish oil.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics improve T-regulatory cell function, which helps to maintain the immune system in balance.

Probiotics and prebiotics collectively can defend against adverse alterations to the gut microbiota, which research associates with heightened susceptibility to autoimmune disease and persistent inflammation.

Soil-based organisms may be beneficial for those with autoimmune disease.

These variety of bacteria were ubiquitous in dirt and untreated water during the vast majority of our evolutionary history, and our ancestors admittedly consumed them in significant volume on an everyday basis.

Ironically, while we’ve gone to enormous lengths through advancement in cleanliness and hygiene to decrease our vulnerability to these organisms, a contemporary investigation has proven that they have a significant T-regulatory influence on our immune system.

Did I Miss Anything?

Now I would like to hear from You:

Which supplement from today’s post are you going to try first?

 Or maybe I did not mention one of your favourite natural supplements that help autoimmune disease.

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

How To Treat Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Digestive Health

How To Treat Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is a common condition among my clients. As such, these clients often ask me what the cause is and can I help them with this problem. In the past, I have suggested that the reason may originate in their gut. Up until recently this idea has been based on anecdotal clinical experience. However, is there a real link between the gut and the liver? A recent scientific study has shown a close association between gut and liver health.

A recently published meta-analysis paper found that two liver enzymes, ALT and AST were significantly reduced in subjects when taking probiotics. A meta-analysis is a summary of findings from different clinical trials. The study in question was a meta-analysis of 4 clinical trials composing of 134 subjects.

ALT and AST are byproducts of liver damage and are two markers that your physician could measure through a blood test.

The study found that ALT and AST were significantly reduced in subjects when taking different blends of lactobacillus-bifidobacterium probiotics.

Lactobacillus-bifidobacterium bacteria are found in most professional brand probiotic supplements including DFH Probiotic Supreme.

The researchers also found that probiotics reduced total cholesterol, TNF-alpha, which is an inflammatory marker, and improved insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients.

Everything in your digestive tract flows to and is purified by your liver, via the portal vein. Consequently, this is how we can see why problems with the liver might be ultimately caused by a problem in the gut.

How are the probiotics helping the liver?

The probiotics are improving gut health, and as the gut gets better, there is less mess in the gut that needs to drain to and be cleaned up by the liver. The liver is then less overburdened and can heal and regenerate. There are therefore fewer liver enzymes.

So if you are struggling with a liver condition, unusually elevated liver enzymes, you may consider your gut as the root of the problem. You may have a previously diagnosed digestive condition such as Irritable Bowel Disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. You may experience mild digestive symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Treating these conditions and symptoms may help Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Dental Health

Root Cause – The Dangers of a Root Canal Your Dentist May Not Be Telling You

Root Cause - The Dangers of a Root Canal Your Dentist May Not Be Telling You - Dominick Hussey

“There is no branch of medicine where a dead organ is left in, except in dentistry where a root canal is left in. If a guy has a gangrenous toe, you have to cut the toe off because it is bacterially infected and will kill the patient. If you think you can get away with an infected toxic tooth, and not have a systemic consequence, I think you are deluding yourself.”

These are the chilling words of Dr David Minkoff MD, at the beginning of the documentary, Root Cause, that I recently watched on Netflix.

Root Cause is the story of a man’s 10-year search for the underlying cause of his chronic illness, which becomes an expose of the harmful health effects and risks of the dental root canal procedure.

This article is a brief outline of what the different experts on the documentary had to say about root canals, and also cavitations.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure where a dentist drills into your tooth, extracts the root, and fills it with gutta-percha.

What are the adverse health effects of a root canal?

With hindsight, the first signs for the man in the documentary, that his root canal was causing him problems was a panic attack. Interestingly, he had the panic attack ten years after the root canal procedure. Quickly, his panic attacks were followed by anxiety and chronic fatigue.

There are many other health consequences of a root canal.

According to Holistic Dentist and author of “Let the tooth be told“, Dr Dawn Ewing PhD,

98% of women who had breast cancer have a root canal on the same side as their offending breast malignancy.

This data comes from the clinical findings of Dr Thomas Rau, who runs the Paracelsus Clinic, in Switzerland.

According to Dr David Mikoff,

the most significant toxic influence, in a chronically ill person, is a root canal tooth.

According to Dr Greg Emerson,

virtually all the people, who come to see him, have a dental cause to their chronic illness.

According to Dr Thomas Levy, MD, JD, Cardiologist and author of “The Toxic Tooth“,

the vast majority of chronic degenerative diseases begin with problems in the mouth, including infections and toxins. It is only once those are addressed, that you are going to get any positive response to your chronic illness.

Why is a root canal a problem?

A root canal procedure is still a common procedure in dentistry because, for the simple reason, no one wants to lose a tooth. However, more and more dentists are becoming concerned about root canals because it is impossible to sterilise a root canal system thoroughly.

The reason why root canals are inherently a problem is that nowhere else in the body do we leave dead tissue. For example, if your appendix dies doctors know that they have to remove the dead tissue because it is a haven for bacteria and is not compatible with good health. The same is true in a tooth.

A root canal procedure involves drilling and cleaning out the central canal of the tooth. As well as the main channel there also exists thousands of microtubules where bacteria can still hide. According to Dr Lane Freeman DDS,

even the best orthodontist or root canal specialist can do a great job at sterilising the main root but what they can not do is clean out all the microtubules.

If bacteria remain in the tubules after the root canal procedure there now exists the perfect secure and warm environment for the microbes to reproduce away from the attention of the body’s immune system.

How is Tooth Health Related to the rest of the body?

According to Dr Gerald H. Smith DDS, DNM, 

70-80% of all chronic health issues originate in the mouth. However, the majority of traditional dentists believe that the teeth are not connected to the rest of the body.

When a fetus is growing in the womb, your teeth develop from the same tissue as your autonomic nervous system.

The teeth are a living part of the body, and they are deeply connected to the lymphatic system, the autonomic nervous system, the afferent nervous system that links to the brain and the meridian system.

Every tooth energetically links with particular glands and organs in the body. The following list shows the relationship between teeth and organs and glands in the body.

  • Wisdom teeth – Small Intestines, Heart and Autonomic Nervous System
  • Molars – Breasts, Thyroid, Pancreas and Spleen
  • Bicuspids – Lund and Large Intestine
  • Eye Teeth – Eyes, Liver and Gallbladder
  • Incisors – Adrenals, Anal Canal, Bladder, Kidneys and Pituitary.

Interestingly, according to Dr,

95% of women with breast cancer who undergo thermographic imaging have a hotspot in the molars on the same side as the malignant breast.

According to Dr Dawn Ewing PhD, she can test teeth for energetic blockages using an Electro-acupuncture machine.

In my practice, I check for blockages in teeth through the use of muscle testing. A client puts the tip of one of their fingers on to a tooth. I test a strong muscle. If the muscle weakens, this is an indication of a blockage.

If the muscle weakens when touching a tooth, then the corresponding muscle that relates to tooth and organ will also weaken. For example, if the person has an issue with a wisdom tooth, they may have a corresponding weakness in their subscapularis muscle that links to the heart.

The list below is a list showing the teeth-organ-muscle relationship:

  • Wisdom teeth – Small Intestines and Heart – Quadriceps and Subscapularis
  • Molars -Thyroid, Pancreas and Spleen – Teres Minor and Latisimus Dorsi
  • Bicuspids – Lung and Large Intestine       – Coracobrachialis and Tensae Fascia Lata
  • Eye Teeth – Liver and Gallbladder – Pectoralis Major and Popliteus
  • Incisors – Adrenals, Anal Canal, Bladder, and Kidneys – Sartorius, Hamstrings, Peroneus and Psoas.

What does research say about root canals?

Probably the earliest research on the dangers of root canals was done by Dr Weston-Price. Dr Weston Price did almost 25 years of research on root canals and found out as they could cause practically any disease.

During his work as a dentist, Dr Weston-Price discovered that his clients who were given a root canal would develop diseases. Later, he would extract these teeth and implant under the skin of rabbits, who would then contract the same diseases as the person. Furthermore, he implanted the same tooth under 20 to 30 more rabbits who would all develop the same condition.

According to Dr Tom Levy,

recent research has found that the number one cause of a heart attack is a root canal tooth.

How do you detect an infected root canal?

The problem with most infected root canals is that rarely do people experience any pain in the tooth. Like the character in the documentary, the symptoms or conditions are away from the mouth.

Traditionally, dentists look for infection in teeth using a two-dimensional x-ray. This type of x-ray is inadequate for detecting infection. A better approach is to use a three-dimensional or panoramic type x-ray.

 How to treat an infected root canal?

It is essential if you have an infected root canal that you have to remove it from your body. To achieve this, it is paramount that you find a dentist who knows what they are doing. Removing a root canal is not just a simple extraction but needs careful aftercare and management.

A necessary part of the aftercare of a root canal extraction is dealing with any residual infection.

According to Dr Mark A. Breiner DDS, ozone gas therapy is indispensable in the treatment of residual bacteria in the jaw.

Another vital part of aftercare is detoxification. Infrared saunas are an excellent gentle way for removing toxins.

When the infected tooth is removed, the first step is to make sure that the extraction site is cleaned out well. This step includes removing the periodontal ligament and clearing any infections.

The next step is to allow the site to heal by letting the body fill the site with new bone. This healing process takes about three months.

At the three month mark, you should check that the site has healed properly and there is no cavitation. If everything looks good, the next question is whether to replace the tooth.

There are four ways to replace a tooth including:

  1. A Removable tooth – most people do not like this option because it is uncomfortable.
  2. A Traditional bridge – involves grinding down the teeth either side of the tooth and using them as pegs to secure the tooth. This option is not popular because you increase the odds of the teeth that you grind down of needing a root canal in the future.
  3. A Bonded bridge – where the replacement tooth is secured with cement to the adjacent teeth. The downside to this option is that occasionally the tooth may become loose and will require recementing.
  4. A Titanium implant – the replacement tooth is secured with a titanium screw into the jaw bone. The problem with this method is that you are using a metal. Titanium is known as a hapten which has been associated with autoimmune diseases.
  5. A Zirconia implant – the replacement tooth is secured with a Zirconia screw into the jaw bone. Zirconia implants are much safer and more bio-compatible for the body.

What are Cavitations?

A Cavitation is a residual pocket of infection. The most common reason for a cavitation is from the poor extraction of teeth.

When a dentist extracts a tooth it essential that they also remove the periodontal ligament. If this ligament is not removed, it will become a breeding ground for infection.

Another reason for the development of a cavitation is where an infection from a root canal spreads to other areas in the jaw bone.

Just like with an infected root canal, cavitations can have a detrimental effect on the health of the person.

According to Dr Thomas Rau,

cavitations have been linked to significant neurological diseases such as MS.

The most common site for a cavitation is in the site of an extracted wisdom teeth.

Energetically, wisdom teeth are linked to the heart, small intestine and the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

Consequently, a citation at the site of a wisdom tooth may lead to heart symptoms such as arrhythmias.

What Does all this Mean?

According to Dr Joseph Mercola, 

root canals are probably the most pernicious, toxic and hidden influences on your health. And you are struggling to understand why you are so sick and you have multiple root canals, please examine that issue.

Not everybody with a root canal will develop a severe or debilitating illness. Why some people get sick, and others do not are down to the same reasons why other people catch more colds or cases of flu or any other disease. Health depends on a variety of factors including genetics, epigenetics, diet, stress, exercise, sleep and social connection.

An infected root canal or cavitation may be at the root of your chronic illness or symptoms but it is important not to neglect to look at other factors as well.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Now I’d like to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below.

By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Concussion

Is Rest The Best Thing For Concussion?

Is Rest The Best Thing For Concussion? - Dominick Hussey

Rest has been the mainstay of concussion management for years. Doctors base this approach to the treatment of concussion on three central ideas. Firstly, that the energy crisis caused by a concussion renders the brain vulnerable to physical and physiological stress, secondly, rest keeps the patient more comfortable and less at risk of exacerbating symptoms. Thirdly, studies have shown that patients engaged in higher levels of cognitive and physical activity post-concussion have taken longer to recover. However, is rest the right approach for managing a concussion.

What is the evidence?

Research does not support the strategy of complete rest following a concussion.

In 2002, researchers found that there was no difference in outcomes with bed rest versus no bed rest in the week after a concussion.

In 2013 a study concluded that the recommendation for cognitive rest had no significant association with recovery time.

In 2016, researchers found that two days of complete cognitive and physical rest did not improve recovery times.

Does Rest Lengthen Recovery Times?

In 2015, researchers carried out a randomised control trial to look at the effect on recovery times of 5 days of strict rest compared to 5 days of usual care. Usual care consisted of 1-2 days of rest followed by a gradual return to activities. Results showed that the participants in the strict rest group had increased symptom reporting and slower resolution of symptoms.

What are the risks of rest?

Health professionals traditionally interpret rest as lying in a dark room, limiting noise, no school, no work, no use of electronics, no reading or cognitive exertion of any kind.

However, what happens when symptoms persist despite rest. There is no evidence that continued rest improves outcomes persistent cases.

Furthermore, continued rest is not without risks including reinforcement of symptoms such as depression, withdrawal, social isolation, generalised anxiety, physical deconditioning, insomnia, and missed academic/work time.

What about Physical Activity?

In a 2016 study, researchers investigated the association between physical activity within seven days post-concussion and the incidence of symptoms. The researchers found that 69.5% of participants who participated in light aerobic exercise within seven days of injury had a lower risk of persistent symptoms.

Another recent 2018 study looked at the time of initiation of aerobic exercise and whether it influenced recovery time. The researchers found that early participation in the aerobic exercise was associated with faster recovery and the longer that exercise was delayed, the longer the recovery time.

The study supports the early (within one week) start of sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise.

In 2017, researchers published a consensus guideline on concussion regarding the rest as a means to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.

“There is currently insufficient evidence that prescribing complete rest achieves these objectives. After a brief period of rest during the acute stage (24-48 hours) after injury, patients can be encouraged to become gradually and progressively more active while staying below their cognitive and physical symptom-exacerbation thresholds.”

What Can We Take Away?

Research shows that intense cognitive/physical activity in the acute stage of concussion may be harmful. Furthermore, strict rest has also been shown to ineffective and potentially dangerous!

Current consensus guidelines recommend 1-2 days of complete rest followed by a gradual return to activity. However, these guidelines still leave us what rest involves and which activity should be introduced and when.

Such a cookie cutter approach is unlikely to work.

By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Concussion

Post Concussion Syndrome – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Post Concussion Syndrome Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment - Dominick Hussey

A Concussion is a common occurrence in daily life in Canada. There is a strong association between concussions and Canadians favourite sports especially ice hockey, Canadian football, rugby and soccer. The majority of people who suffer a concussion do not experience any lasting health consequences. However, for some people, the effects can be debilitating and longlasting known as post concussion syndrome. In this article, we will discuss the pathophysiology, symptoms and signs, and treatment options for a concussion and post concussion syndrome.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces. In laymen’s terms, this means that an impact to the skull causes chemical changes that affect how the mind works.

Head injuries cause a disruption in the movement of ions in and out of nerve endings. This disruption is known as an Ionic Shift. When an ionic shift occurs, the brain uses a large amount of energy in the form of glucose to correct this shift. If change continues over a long period the demand for energy outweighs the supply leading to an Energy Crisis.

At the same time as the ionic shift, a reduction in the blood flow to the brain occurs further reducing the supply of energy/glucose.

A brain injury affects the visual and vestibular systems and cognitive or thinking processes.

How Do Concussions Affect the Visual System?

The brain dedicates about 70% of its energy to processing signals from the eyes. This strong connection between the brain and eyes mean that a concussion will significantly affect the visual system.

Common ways in which a concussion affects the visual system include difficulties tracking and focusing on objects. According to research, up to 90% of concussions can cause at least one visual disturbance.

How Does a Concussion Affect the Vestibular system?

Along with cognitive and other sensory processes the vestibular system uses the remaining 30% of the brains sensory processing. The vestibular system is also densely connected with the visual system. As such the vestibular system is highly susceptible to injury following a traumatic brain injury. For example, for people with concussion dizziness is the second most common symptom.

How Does a Concussion Affect Cognition?

According to research an energy crisis during the acute stages of concussion can lead to cognitive difficulties such as:

  • Attention
  • Reaction time
  • Information processing
  • Working memory

What are the symptoms of Concussion?

The common symptoms of concussion include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Light and sound sensitivity
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Balance problems
  • Fatigue /Sleepiness
  • Sleep issues
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fogginess
  • Memory issues
  • Anxiety and Depression

It is important to realise that symptoms may be immediate, but are often delayed. Loss of consciousness occurs in less than 10% of cases and is not a marker of severity. Similarly, the degree of force of impact is always consistent with symptom severity.

How to Treat Concussion

When treating a concussion, it is essential to recognise and address the injury as early as possible. If a person experiences a head injury, even if they do not appear to have symptoms, it is essential to seek out an objective clinical evaluation. Diagnosis of concussion should not be made on symptoms alone.

How Most Medical Doctors Treat Concussion

Most medical doctors traditionally prescribe rest for a concussion. This rest includes avoidance of time watching TV, playing video games, reading, and texting. All these restrictions are related to the eyes or visual system and do not address the vestibular and cognitive processes.

Complete rest of the visual system is critical within the first 24 to 48 hours following the injury because the eyes are a significant drain on energy. After that time it is vital to address the other systems.

Clinical recovery vs physiological recovery

The majority of well-managed concussion cases will exhibit clinical recovery in a relatively quick timeframe. Clinical improvement is defined as a remission of symptoms. For adults, clinical recovery is usually within two weeks while children and adolescents are generally within 30 days.

There is some evidence however that complete physiological from concussion recovery may take longer than clinical improvement. Physiological recovery is defined as the normalisation of objective medical testing.

Physiological Susceptibility

A concussion renders the brain more susceptible to cellular injury. If additional trauma is sustained before physiological recovery more severe brain damage may result in an increase in symptoms, a more prolonged recovery timeframe, and Second Impact Syndrome.

Second Impact Syndrome

Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) happens when a second trauma occurs when the brain is still in a state of energy crisis.

SIS results in severe neurological impairment and brain swelling which may lead to coma and death.

SIS is a rare but devastating consequence of a premature return to sport.

Post Concussion Syndrome

Post concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms exceed expected the anticipated timeframe for recovery. According to research, 15 to 20 % of individuals with a concussion continue to experience persistent and potentially debilitating problems months after injury.

Unfortunately, the current Canadian healthcare system is not currently for this patient population.

What Causes Post Concussion Syndrome?

The causes of Post Concussion Syndrome are not well understood, and they are thought to be a combination of neuropathological and psychological factors. Researchers have identified some risk factors for persistent symptoms from concussion including:

  • A high initial symptom load
  • History of a migraine
  • History of vestibular or visual symptoms
  • History of anxiety or depression
  • History of insomnia
  • Teenage females tend to at a higher risk for a protracted recovery

Symptoms of PCS

Symptoms of PCS may include:

  • Visual and balance problems
  • Dizziness
  • Neck pain
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Insomnia

The symptoms of PCS are not specific to a concussion and share clinical features of other conditions such as PTSD, depression, chronic pain and insomnia. As such, PCS requires an interdisciplinary approach to treatment.

Conclusion

Concussion results in an energy crisis that is typically resolvable, but should be appropriately managed.

During the acute stage of concussion, the brain is highly susceptible to further injury so underscoring the importance of a delayed return to sport.

It is critical to managing the injury early and effectively, particularly in those at higher risk of symptoms.

The treatment of Post Concussion Syndrome relies upon the identification of triggers and managing them accordingly.

By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Histamine Intolerance and MCAS

4 Strategies To Help Histamine Related Menstrual Headaches

Many of my clients report headaches that correlate with their menstrual cycle. These clients assume that their headaches are an indication of an underlying hormonal problem. This conclusion is logical and possible, but another common underlying cause is histamine intolerance.

I recently had a client say to me. “I have been getting headaches.” “Do the headaches correlate to any foods you are eating”, I replied. ” No,” she said. “But they do appear to relate to my menstrual cycle.” “In particular, they occur on day 13 of my cycle and occasionally a few days before my period begins.

Interestingly, the timing of the headaches coincides with two peaks of estrogen in the menstrual cycle.

The first peak is the highest and occurs towards the end of ovulation. The second peak occurs a few days before the start of menstruation.

Estrogen decreases the levels of Diamine Oxidase (DAO) the body. DAO is one of the main enzymes in the body that breaks down histamine.

Histamine is a compound that the body produces in the presence of allergens and gut and systemic infections such as Lyme disease.

Chronic or longstanding infections will lead to a buildup of histamine in the body. An excessive accumulation of histamine will lead to symptoms such as headaches.

Therefore if you have an underlying infection with a related high level of histamine, a peak in estrogen and an associated drop in DAO will lead to a spike in histamine.

If you think that you suffer from histamine related menstrual headaches, the following strategies may help.

Strategies to help lower histamine related menstrual headaches

For tackling histamine related menstrual headaches, there are two categories of treatment: symptom-reducing and root cause resolution.

Symptom-reducing

1. Take a Diamine Oxidase (DAO) supplement

If you get histamine related menstrual headaches, try taking a DAO supplement a day or two before you expect your symptoms. I recommend Seeking Health Histamine Block.

2. Avoid high histamine foods

High histamine foods include fermented vegetables and dairy, processed meats and food additives. Avoiding high histamine foods a few days before and during the days you expect your headaches to occur may help reduce symptoms.

3. Take Vitamin C and Quercetin

Quercetin and Vitamin C both help to lower histamine in the body. Taking both nutrients a few days before and during days that you expect your symptoms may improve. I suggest taking Design for Health Stellar C, which contains both Quercetin and Vitamin C.

Root cause resolution

As we discussed above, the body produces histamine in the presence of allergens and infections such as gut infections and Lyme disease. Chronic or longstanding infections will lead to a buildup of histamine. Functional medicine practitioners can help identify and treat underlying infections. Gut infections that can cause excess histamine include Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and parasites.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Now I’d like to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below.

3 Natural Ways Of Preventing and Treating Food Allergies and Sensitivities
By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Allergies

3 Natural Ways Of Preventing and Treating Food Allergies and Sensitivities

In this article, I am going to discuss ways of preventing and treating food allergies and sensitivities.

Some people have the perception that food allergies and sensitivities are more prominent than in the past.

For example, when I was a child in the 1970’s, we were never told about the dangers of bringing peanuts to school. Today, I hear from the parents of my child clients that this is commonplace.

However, despite hearing this observation, is the issue increasing or we are merely more aware of it.

Scientific research shows us that the incidence of celiac disease is much higher than when I was a child. Researchers can show this increase by analysing old blood samples and applying the modern day diagnostic criteria.  What they found is that celiac disease is over four times higher today than it was a half-century ago.

So why is the incidence of food allergies and sensitivities increasing?

To answer this question we must first look at why some people develop allergies and intolerances, and some people do not.

Eggs and Liver

Over the past fifty years, we have seen a change away from particular foods including a reduction in the consumption of eggs and liver.

When we remove foods from our diets, this will have a detrimental effect on our nutritional status.

Our immune system requires certain nutrients to work efficiently, and without them, it can become over-reactive, and we can develop allergies and intolerances.

Two essential nutrients for a healthy immune system are retinoic acid and prostaglandin E2.

Retinoic acid is a molecule that we make from retinol. Prostaglandin E2 Is made from arachidonic acid an omega-6 fatty acid that we also find in animal foods.

Retinol is found mainly in liver and cod liver oil with smaller amounts in egg yolks and dairy fat. Arachidonic acid is found primarily in liver and egg yolks. Therefore a reduction in the consumption of liver and egg yolks has probably played a role in the increase in food allergies and food intolerances.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Another important consideration is the increased use the over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. These drugs block the enzyme COX in the body. The enzyme COX converts arachidonic acid into the prostaglandin E2 which we require to ward off allergies and intolerances.

If we are in pain, out of all the NSAIDs from a research point of view, the safest one is aspirin.

How Can We Use This Information?

Regarding food intolerances, I think it is more accessible to prevent them than to fix them. To avoid the development of food intolerances of, we need to introduce both liver and eggs into the diets of our children from an early age. For example, beginning with eating liver once or twice a week and eating egg yolks every day or every other day.

Secondly, avoid the unnecessary use of the NSAIDs. There are many natural and safer alternatives to NSAIDs. I suggest seeking out a local Naturopathic Doctor or Homeopath for advice.

As I mentioned above, there is no easy way to fix food intolerances. The first thing to do is identify which foods you cannot tolerate and cut them out of your diet. My preferred method of determining food intolerances is to carry out a food elimination diet. I also find muscle testing a useful tool.

If you suspect that gluten is an issue, it is essential that you rule out celiac disease. Celiac is a serious medical condition which means you must be very strict with the avoidance.

Similarly, if you are anaphylactic to a food such as peanuts, complete avoidance is imperative. Unlike Celiac disease, it may be possible to treat food allergies even if they cause anaphylaxis. I recommend you look at Natural Allergy Treatment which I have found very effective.

If food intolerances do not induce a medical condition or very uncomfortable effects, it may be possible to reintroduce them over time. I suggest trying to reintroduce foods after say 3-4 months. If there are several foods then introduce them one at a time over a week.

You may also try consuming the foods in a predigested form. For example, if you have a problem with nuts, try soaking them and sprouting them. If you are dealing with grains, try using sourdough grains, long-fermented grains, and so on.

Disclaimer

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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