Ah, springtime! Trees are budding and flowers are blooming. It’s a beautiful sight, except for those with seasonal allergies. Along with those unfurling leaves comes pollen, and that can be miserable for many of us.

Allergies affect more people than you might realize. Actually, allergies are now the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in America. Allergy incidence is skyrocketing, so eliminating the causes and discovering new treatments is the key to bringing this latest epidemic under control.

What is an Allergy?
When the immune system “mistakes” common substances such as pollens or nuts as a “foreigner”, it can overreact and mount an often-violent response to expel the “threatening invader,” referred to as an allergen. An allergic reaction occurs when a specific antibody, IgE, links the allergen to a specialized white blood cell called a mast cell, releasing histamine into circulation. The results are the commonly recognized symptoms of an allergy: itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose. Allergic reactions can also manifest as an asthma attack, violent abdominal cramping or an immediate, severe skin reaction recognized as hives. The most severe type of allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, can result in loss of consciousness and even death.

Why Allergies Are Increasing…Unsuspected Causes

Investigators have identified many substances that can induce the production of IgE antibodies. A little recognized cause includes the preservatives found in vaccinations; mercury, aluminum and gelatin have all been reported in the medical literature to increase IgE concentrations and therefore play a potential role in the development allergies. Because a newborn’s immune system is not fully developed, infancy is a high-risk period for allergic sensitization. Events that occur early in life, such as vaccination, have the potential for inducing the development of allergies and asthma later in life.

The incidence of asthma is linked to a well-documented cause: exposure to a protein found in cockroach droppings. One in five US children is allergic to cockroach allergens.

Exposure to antibiotics has also been linked to the development allergies. Studies show that children given antibiotics during the first year of life are over four times more likely to develop asthma than children who have never taken antibiotics.

Common Health Problems: Think Allergies

Allergies are often the underlying cause of a myriad of seemingly unrelated health problems. Many people do not realize that symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, indigestion, headaches, ear infections, irritability, hyperactivity and learning disabilities can be symptoms of overlooked food and environmental allergies.

In addition, many parents don’t realize that hyperactivity, distraction and aggressive behavior associated with ADD and ADHD can be triggered by food intolerances. What can be done?

In hypersensitive individuals, taking a supplement that supports immune balance is important. A targeted blend of flavonoids, antioxidants, proteolytic enzymes and botanicals can provide comprehensive support for seasonal challenges caused by common environmental allergens.

Kinesiology is also an unusual but effective way to identify and treat allergies. This method is more commonly referred to as muscle testing. With this method, the patient holds a vial containing a suspected allergen in his hand while the practitioner applies gentle pressure to the opposite arm to measure muscle strength. If the muscle tests weak, a sensitivity to the substance is likely present. I developed a form of kinesiology testing called Tenpenny’s Sensitivity Reduction Technique, or T-SRT. This method focuses on allergy elimination using techniques to “re-pattern” the immune system so it no longer reacts to harmless substances as if they were a threat. Remarkably, successful treatment means that you no longer need to avoid the allergen.

You don’t have to suffer. With great supplements and other solutions, we can solve your seasonal allergies!