Goodbye winter, hello spring….and allergies!

As the weather gets warmer and wetter, pollen and mold blooms, and unfortunately, disrupts the lives of many Canadians. Seasonal allergies can be caused by tree pollens, grasses, ragweed and outdoor moulds. In susceptible people, these allergens can create negative effects to the overall quality of life. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, then you know the symptoms: sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, feeling tired and irritable - just to name a few! Allergies can cause individuals to be less productive at work and prevent a good night’s sleep. So how can you reduce the impact that allergies have on you this year? Here are a few tips to follow for better breathing and a good night’s rest!

Follow a non-allergenic diet: If your body is already dealing with food allergies and/or sensitivities, then your immune system will be overactive and will readily react to external allergens. Limiting your consumption of wheat, dairy and sugar, among other foods, can help reduce the overall inflammatory reaction your body creates. 

Take Vitamin C: This nutrient is not only an extremely important antioxidant, it also has the ability to stabilize mast cells. Mast cells are tiny cells that release histamine, causing symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. You can reduce allergy symptoms by making mast cells less reactive with the use of Vitamin C.

Take advantage of the ongoing benefits of Omega-3: This type of essential fatty acid has been shown to reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body. A German study found that people who ate foods high in Omega-3 fatty acid had the fewest allergies. You can increase your omega-3 intake by consuming fish, flax oil and nuts, such as walnuts. In addition, you can use a supplemental form of omega-3 such as Triple Strength Omega-3 with Vitamin D. This product provides the added benefits of vitamin D which have been shown to support the immune system.

Grape Seed Extract: Known to be rich in nutrients and antioxidants, grape seed extract is a powerful and safe tool in fighting allergies of all types. It is a natural antihistamine, therefore it helps to keep your body from releasing histamines (which is what causes you to sneeze and become congested). Grape seed extract is helpful against viruses, allergens and carcinogens.

Bring on the Probiotics: Research has shown that probiotics modulate immune responses in allergic rhinitis and may have the potential to alleviate the severity of allergy symptoms. Using probiotics is a good way to support the digestive system, of which a healthy immune system heavily relies upon. Ensuring a good digestive system is one of the best ways a person can help to ward off allergy symptoms.

So don’t give up! Help is available! Beneficial effects have not only been seen with the above nutrients and dietary suggestions but also with the use of an air purifier, keeping all doors and windows closed as much as possible and having hardwood floors instead of carpet. You may be able to enjoy the nice weather after all!

Image source: http://www.airpurifierguide.org/health/do-air-purifiers-help-with-allergies

Not sure what fruits and veggies warrant spending those extra dollars when it comes to organic? Read on...

To some, organic fruits and vegetables present a bit of a question mark; when should one purchase organic produce? Only when purchasing fruit? Only when buying vegetables? Or 100% of the time? From what I’ve read, it appears that, ideally, the answer would be 100% of the time. However, the higher prices on organic products does not make going organic the most economical choice. So, the question remains: when to go organic?

Fortunately, doctoroz.com offers three simple rules to follow when choosing your produce. Here are three things the article suggests you buy organic:

1. Fruits and veggies that have thin skins
   Examples: strawberries, apples and potatoes
2. Leafy greens
   Examples: all lettuces, including spinach and kale
3. Milk products
   Examples: milk, yogurt and cheese

For the full explanation of what produce to buy organic read When to Go Organic.

Image source: http://www.runningwithmascara.com/tag/organic-produce/

Webber Naturals expert Wendy Tao shares the latest news on the sunshine vitamin!

You might just be surprised at the many benefits of vitamin D...

Draw a line from the northern California border to Boston on the East coast of North America. If you live north of that line — 42-degrees latitude — even if you go outside every day from October to March, you aren't likely to get enough sun exposure to make enough vitamin D.

If you don’t have access to the sun all the time, how can you get your vitamin D without spending huge amounts of money on a sunny, beach-side vacation? You can get additional vitamin D from the foods you eat or from supplements, especially during those winter months.

The importance of vitamin D and the deficiencies related to northern climates are old news. So why has vitamin D been in the limelight for the last few years? Our scientific understanding of how this nutrient works, and what it does have expanded and it certainly does more than prevent rickets (a childhood disease involving soft bones).

Did you know that vitamin D may help combat cancer? Reinhold Vieth, a nutritional scientist at the University of Toronto, proposes that many cells in the body use vitamin D to produce a signaling molecule that improves inter-cellular communication. The signals help a cell determine what part of the body it should become or what function it should have. The signal may also tell cells to stop replicating or proliferating, which is crucial when it comes to cancer cells. 

Not only can vitamin D help signal cancer cells to stop multiplying, studies suggest that it can also help those suffering from Alzheimer’s. A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that vitamin D may activate key genes and cellular signaling networks to stimulate the immune system so it rejects a protein, called amyloid-beta, found in patients with Alzheimer’s.

A Winnipeg doctor, Dr. Taback, made the news this past January taking the study of vitamin D in an exciting new direction. Dr. Taback submitted a proposal seeking $10 million in research funding over the next three years to give babies at high risk of Type 1 diabetes up to 2,000 IU a day of vitamin D as a preventive strategy. He wants to prove that there is a direct relationship between an insufficiency of vitamin D and onset of Type 1 diabetes. Scientists have found that the immune system, and the insulin-secreting beta cells in the pancreas of people with diabetes, have receptors for vitamin D.

Another new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal found that women with painful periods, severe pelvic pain and immobilizing cramps before or during menstruation, suffer much less pain by taking a single mega-dose of vitamin D five days before their next menstrual period. Vitamin D works as an anti-inflammatory to decrease prostaglandin activity that may trigger inflammation and pain during menstruation.

Last but not least, Vitamin D may also help prevent cardiovascular disease by reducing chronic inflammation. It has been shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease.

So remember: if you can’t see the sun, the sun can’t see you — so supplement with vitamin D , the sunshine vitamin for healthy bones, heart, brain and so much more.

Image Sources: We Heart It and fitnessgurusam.com

References

1. Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease 
2. Boning up on the sunshine vitamin 
3. Can Vitamin D Treat Pain? http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/759254
4. Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
   
5. How Much Sun Exposure Do I Need for Vitamin D? 
6. Improvement of Primary Dysmenorrhea Caused by a Single Oral Dose of Vitamin D: Results of a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study
   
7. Type 1 diabetes prevention 'better than cure'