Not Your Typical Allergy

Posted on August 4, 2020 by eresko

 

 

What do avocados, bananas, spinach, and some probiotics have in common?  Well, for most you’d think, all healthy foods, rich in essential nutrients and great additions to your diet for living a healthy lifestyle right?  For most, yes, for me and thousands of others with Histamine Intolerance, very much no.

Most of us experience some form of allergies in our lives.  The common experience is a runny nose, congestion, headaches, itchy eyes and ears, sneezing, and coughing.  These are usually attributed to seasonal allergens and pollens that come up in the spring or the fall.

More often, these days, allergies and sensitivities are more widespread and include all sorts of foods, (commonly nuts, eggs, dairy, soy, corn, gluten, and wheat), all sorts of pollens, molds, and metals among other things.  The range from sensitivity to allergy is a big one.  We can be mildly sensitive to something and not notice it for years, or we can be so allergic that we experience anaphylactic shock, which can easily be life-threatening.

The immune system is complex.  Just to get a little technical, the immune system has a range of reactions, they come from proteins called immunoglobulins, IgM, IgG, IgE, IgA, and IgD, interleukins and mast cells (among others).  For the purposes of this post, we will only talk about a select few.  IgG is a response that would be classified as sensitivity and IgE is an allergic reaction, meaning the possibility of anaphylactic shock.  This is generally familiar for most, as many people might have dairy or gluten sensitivities, and others have a nut allergy and carry around an epi-pen.

Interleukins are a group of proteins associated with white blood cells that carry out various functions of the immune response.  They can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory in nature, they stimulate mast cell responses, which in turn produce histamine and modulate the immune system, how it acts, reacts, or over-reacts.

If you follow me on Social Media, you may have seen a recent and very vulnerable post about my special kind of allergy, Histamine Intolerance.

 

What is it? 

Histamine intolerance is basically a way of saying you don’t tolerate histamine, there is a breakdown in the process at some point along the line.  You are over-reactive and release too much histamine, you don’t process or clear histamine at all or very well, or there is a messy  mix of both (which is where I personally reside).

Let’s back up a little and talk about what histamine is.  Histamine is naturally produced in your body by mast cells.  They release histamine in response to possible allergens, anytime you eat food, and in response to changes in hormones, particularly Estrogen.  Mast cells line every tissue in your body and they too can become oversensitized.  You can have an overabundance in certain tissues like the esophageal lining, the skin, or the uterus, for example, which creates a large and very wide-ranging list of symptoms that can be very hard to link back to histamines and mast cells.

Generally speaking, we all have an intolerance bucket, one that we can keep filling with small sensitivities – pollens, foods, mold etc. until one very unsuspecting thing causes an overflow.  This looks like a perfectly normal and healthy life one minute, then a complete over-reaction the next, whatever that looks like for you, skin, lungs, digestion etc. The snowball effect can range from not that bad to debilitating health issues.

One more special trick histamine intolerance often has up its sleeve is the inability to properly process and clear the histamine.  Most bodies naturally produce an enzyme called Diamine Oxidase (DAO), it is released in the gut and neatly absorbs the histamine we release in response to food intake.  The histamine is released as a natural process to start the digestive enzymes doing their thing, then the DAO cleans it all up.  Some don’t produce this enzyme at all, and some produce very little, and the histamine builds and builds and builds, overloading the liver and releasing its own byproducts (waste) into the system causing digestive issues (IBS, inflammatory bowel conditions etc). and other inflammatory effects like skin issues. In addition to DAO, there is another histamine clearing pathway as well, the HNMT pathway.  A person experiencing histamine intolerance can have a whole range or dysfunction at any point along this chain.

 

What does it look like?

Common symptoms include:

  • Migraines & headaches
  • Chronic hives
  • Digestive issues – diarrhea, IBS, Crohn’s
  • Leaky gut and multiple food sensitivities
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Hayfever and other allergies
  • Eczema and other dermatological conditions
  • Insomnia
  • Geographic tongue
  • Burning throat syndrome
  • Painful periods
  • Fainting spells & low blood pressure

 

How to diagnose?

Generally, the quickest way to find out if you have a Histamine Intolerance is to go on an Anti-histamine Diet and see if it helps.  You can have labs done to check your IgG, your IgE, and your mast cell activity as well, but this elimination diet is actually very helpful.  You can find a good doctor out there who knows more about Mast Cell Disorders like Mast Cell Activation Disorder or Syndrome, and Histamine Intolerance, but you will have to do some research. It is commonly recognized in the Naturopathic medical world and surprisingly glossed over by much of the current medical care system. I will attach resources at the end.

 

What is an Anti-histamine Diet?

Foods can be either high or low in histamine and in addition, they may be histamine liberators as well.

The following is a very short list of high histamine foods: *anything aged will produce more histamine*

  • Meats (generally aged)
  • Aged cheeses
  • Leftovers
  • Fermented products (kefir, kombuchas, alcohol – especially champagne and beer)
  • Yogurt & certain probiotics
  • Strawberries
  • Avocado
  • Spinach
  • Bananas
  • Citrus
  • Chocolate
  • Tomatoes
  • Mushrooms

For a more thorough list of high and low histamine foods, please check out this post from Mast Cell 360

In addition, know your triggers – these can be environmental allergens, other foods, essential oils, climates etc. This can take a long time to parse out, but be patient with yourself and aware.

 

How to treat?

  • Anti-histamine diet
  • Supplementation – (Some of my favorites)
    • DAO
    • HistaQuel – a mast cell stabilizer
    • Vitamin C
    • Quercetin
    • Stinging Nettle
    • B5 – Pantothenic Acid
    • L-Glutamine
    • Low-histamine Probiotic
    • IgG supplementation – Colostrum
    • Fish Oil
  • Meditation – Acupuncture – Yoga – other stress-relieving activities
  • Air purification system
  • Water purification system

This list can get quite big, but depending on the state of your health – you do what you got to do, and this list would change according to the symptoms you present with – it’s always a good idea to sit down with your practitioner prior to starting a course of treatment. 

This will also probably be in a more thorough post of its own.

Please check out my FullScript online pharmacy – where you can order any of the above supplements:  Mast Cell Stabilization / Allergy Relief 

  • Sign up for an account and you will automatically get 10% off supplements and herbs.

There are some Western medical treatments as well, which is always good to work with all your options.

  • Monoclonal Antibody (Dupixent) – has been a life-saver for me personally.
  • Anti-histamines
  • Sleep aids / Anti-itch / Anti-Depressants / Anti-anxiety etc.

Please consult with your primary care before starting any treatment plan, or course of supplementation.

This post is for educational and informational purposes only and research from my own personal experience with this disorder.  I have spent a lifetime looking for answers to these questions for myself and I have used a whole host of different treatments over the years, including steroids, sleep aids, natural supplementation, Chinese herbs, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, and more.

Remember that your experience is unique to you, you know your body better than anyone else, listen to it, try different avenues, be open to new ideas, listen, learn, and ask for help when you need it. Some of the best information I found along the way came from Facebook groups and other people’s experiences.

 

Resources:

 

Till next time! Be well~

Erin

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Habits You Can Start Today

Posted on July 29, 2020 by eresko

9 Simple Healthy Habits to Start Today

 

 

When it comes to living a healthy life, those small habits can add up to something more significant over time. This can go both ways. Just as healthy habits can strengthen your health, unhealthy habits can weaken you and make you more vulnerable to disease.  It’s important to take a closer look at what your habits are, the good and the bad, recognize where your shortcomings are, and make the decision to change it.  For now, let’s just focus on the positive changes we can make or continue to practice.

 

Consider developing these healthy habits. Over time, they can make a massive, positive difference to your overall health:

 

1. Use the stairs. Whether you are at home or in the office, use the stairs as much as you can. Avoid using the elevator or escalator if possible and you’ll notice that both your legs and heart will tone and strengthen over time.

  • This also goes for – Parking further away from your destination for a longer walk OR choose a walk into town (if you’re within a do-able distance and you have the time), rather than a drive.  Ride your bike – you won’t believe the things you can experience on a short bike ride, being outside rather than stuck within a metal box, looking in rearview mirrors, and checking blind spots.

 

2. Drink an extra glass of water daily. Water is incredibly important for good health. Little by little, you can cut out soft drinks and replace them with water.

 

  • You can live without food for quite some time, but they say the max you can go without water is about 3 days.  It is absolutely necessary for every single cellular function in your body, it keeps your temperature at a normal level, lubricates and cushions your joints, and protect your spinal cord. It also helps to remove waste via urination, sweat, and your bowel movements.  I’m willing to put money down that you come up short on your water intake probably every day (I know I do)… but I’m working on it!

 

  • Add something to your water if it makes you drink more – lemon or lime wedges, water flavorings (without sugar) like True Lemon or SweetLeaf Sweetdrops.

 

  • Electrolytes are also super important and we definitely run short of these in general!  Try out my new favorite (no sugar in these, but they taste great) – LMNT and use my referral code: http://elementallabs.refr.cc/erinhill

 

3. Go for a daily walk. Going for a daily walk is a healthy form of low-impact exercise, and we should all be doing more of it. Plus it’s good to get some fresh air too, as it can help clear your mind of stress.  Use your time to listen to a good book, podcast, or some music.

 

4. Sit up straight. Good posture can help prevent aches and pains, while also reducing stress on your ligaments. If you find yourself forgetting to sit upright, leave a note for yourself, and it will soon become an unconscious habit.  Head up, chin back, shoulders back and down, abs tucked in… sit like you mean it!

 

5. Get more sleep. If you aren’t getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night, you may find yourself feeling lethargic the following day. Over time, many of your systems can be negatively affected by a lack of sleep.  More on this coming in another post.

  • You’re likely to crave unhealthy foods too. Lack of sleep causes the hormones that control your hunger to become disrupted, leading to these cravings.

 

6. Eat a healthy breakfast every morning. It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat something rich in fiber and something full of protein. This is because they can both fill you up and keep you full until lunchtime, helping to avoid those mid-morning cravings.

  • Fiber and protein both have additional long-term health benefits. For example, fiber is good for your digestion, while protein helps to maintain your muscles.

 

  • There is also evidence that Intermittent Fasting (lengthening your fasting window to even just 16 hours after dinner) is helpful in weight loss, boosting energy, and even hormones.  This is my go-to and what I naturally tend toward.  Listen to your body and hear what it needs, that is unless you feel you have no idea what you need or where to start… then let’s talk!

 

7. Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in various nutrients that your body needs for good health. Add at least 2 vegetables to each meal and opt for some fruit when you want a snack. If you can’t get them fresh, frozen is your next best alternative, and if you are in a crunch for time or just want a daily “insurance plan”, get a good Greens Powder.  I like this one from Arbonne.

 

8. Balance on one leg. Stand on one leg for 10 seconds before switching to the other leg. This is a simple exercise that can become part of your neuromotor training. It can help improve your balance, agility, and mobility.  If you can do that easily, start closing your eyes or get yourself a balance board and practice every day.  You will be blown away how bad you are at first – but like anything, you get better if you work at it and you will be SO thankful you started now.

 

9. Breathe. I know it sounds simple, and obviously everyone has a habit of breathing – but HOW do you breathe?  Get into the habit of taking 2 or 10 minutes a day just focusing on your breathing.  Start with normal, natural breathing.  Check-in with yourself – how does it feel, are you short of breath? Breathing shallowly or deeply? Where do you feel it? Does it make you anxious?  Just start with awareness, then begin with an easy counting exercise.  Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.  If this is hard at first, it will get easier with repetition and practice. As you get better, you will be able to breathe more deeply, become more relaxed and at ease, quiet your brain, and calm your whole nervous system.

 

These healthy habits are easy to develop, you just have to start. To start, just add one or two. Once those activities become habits, add in another couple. Before you know it, you’ll start to feel healthier bit by bit, and you will see yourself start to choose healthier habits in response.  It’s a snowball effect, one of the good kinds!

So, let’s get going – what habit are you going to start?!

 

Till next time ~ Be well,

Erin

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8 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Acupuncture

Posted on July 22, 2020 by eresko

Acupuncture is a medical treatment that involves the use of thin needles that are inserted into the body at very specific locations. Acupuncture is one of the primary components of traditional Chinese medicine, which also includes Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, bodywork, exercise, and dietary therapy.

 

There are differing theories regarding how acupuncture works. The traditional Chinese explanation explains that acupuncture balances the flow of energies in the body through pathways, also called meridians, creating a balance between yin and yang and all the organs and meridian systems in general.  Acupuncture, specifically is the practice of inserting needles into the proper locations (acupuncture points) is believed to alter and rebalance these energy flows.

The Western explanation is a little different. It’s believed that the needles used in acupuncture stimulate muscles, nerves, and connective tissues. The stimulation of needles at certain points releases the body’s natural endorphins, and these endorphins are responsible for a cascade of effects that include pain relief, and that feeling of relaxation and ease we sometimes refer to as an Acu-coma.  I like to explain it like assisted meditation or assisted relaxation.  Acupuncture is giving your body the extra boost of stress-relieving hormones to help you relax deeper, shut down the sympathetic nervous system response (stress response), and get you into that meditative state easier. In addition, at specific points, muscles can be released via a trigger point or motor point release system and break up adhesions in connective tissue that commonly create pain and dysfunction in the physical body.

 

Both these ‘theories’ are true, they are just different ways of looking at it, much like a different language, we are saying the same thing but it sounds completely different and can be difficult to understand.

Acupuncture can be a worthwhile treatment option for several conditions, including:

  1. Nausea associated with chemotherapy and anesthesia. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture for managing nausea created by chemotherapy treatment. Post-surgery nausea caused by anesthesia is also positively impacted by acupuncture.
  2. Rhinitis related to allergies, such as hay fever. Do you suffer from allergies that cause your nose to run? The swelling of mucous membranes due to allergies can be treated with acupuncture. This can be an effective treatment for seasonal allergies without having to resort to medications that often create drowsiness.
  3. Headaches. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of pain, including migraine and other types of headaches. In fact, acupuncture is highly effective in combating headache pain in many sufferers where medication has proven to be ineffective.
  4. Hypertension. If you suffer from hypertension, you might want to consider giving acupuncture a try. It’s been shown to be mildly to moderately successful in treating a variety of hypertensive ailments.
  5. Morning sickness. Morning sickness can be highly uncomfortable and inconvenient. Acupuncture can be quite helpful at alleviating morning sickness, nausea, and discomfort and poses no risk to the growing baby.
  6. Tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can be incredibly uncomfortable and slow to heal. Acupuncture can greatly reduce the pain and the time needed for healing to occur. Acupuncture might take your tennis game to a new level, or at least you’ll be able to spend more time on the court.
  7. Sprain. In general, sprains respond well to acupuncture. If little else seems to be working, acupuncture can help alleviate the swelling and pain associated with common sprains.
  8. Menstrual pain. Menstrual discomfort is a serious issue for many women every month. It might be surprising to discover that a few needles in the right place can help with this discomfort, but it can. If you have pain associated with menstrual activity, acupuncture is a possible solution.

 

Does it hurt? It varies. Most patients report that the insertion of the needle is painless, but there is often a mild ache, numbness, or tingling sensation after the needle reaches its full depth (which is usually very shallow, considering our preconceived understanding of needles and injections otherwise). The needles used in acupuncture are much thinner than those used to give an injection, so the amount of pain is much, much less, and is surprisingly relaxing.

 

Acupuncture & Chinese medicine has been around for nearly 8,000 years. It shares commonalities with some Ayurvedic medicine principles as well as naturopathic medicine. Acupuncture carries very little risk, and many people are very enthusiastic about the results they receive. Oftentimes, I see people who are at the end of their rope, desperate for relief, and Acupuncture can be miraculous for them.

 

Curious about what Acupuncture can do for you?  The 8 ways in which Acupuncture can benefit you above are only just a handful of documented ways in which Acupuncture has proven it’s worth.  If you are interested in all the disorders and ailments that Acupuncture can treat, check out this article, and if you want to learn more about how it works, read more here & here.

 

Till next time ~ Be well

Erin

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Biohacking for Beginners

Posted on July 14, 2020 by eresko

 

 

Biohacking is a popular new topic. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, biohacking is manipulating your body, brain, and environment to optimize your physical and mental performance. It can involve a variety of things from gene therapy to vitamins to sleep manipulation.

While there are many complicated and expensive biohacks, there are also many effective biohacks that are suitable for beginners that are free or nearly so.

Use these strategies to biohack yourself and perform at a higher level:

 

1. Elimination diet. An elimination diet is simple but super powerful. All you have to do is eliminate a specific food from your diet and note the result. You can even add the food back into your diet for verification.

  • You eat fewer foods than you think, and there’s an excellent chance that at least one of them has a negative impact on your body. Eliminating just one offending food can have a huge impact on your life.
  • Not sure where to start – Dairy, Gluten, Wheat, Soy, Corn, and Eggs are usually some of the worst offenders.

 

2. Meditation. Meditation is very challenging, yet also simple and rewarding. Meditation has so many emotional and physical benefits that it should be taught in school. Since that isn’t the case, the responsibility falls on your shoulders.

  • The internet offers many ways to learn meditation, from instructions on how to meditate to YouTube videos with guided meditations. Take your pick and dive in!

  • Some good apps to start with – Insight Timer & Headspace

 

3. Caffeine. Caffeine is wonderful for increasing focus and endurance when taken in the proper amounts, not to mention, tasty. It can also be addicting and cause insomnia. Caffeine can be a very effective and simple way to boost performance in all aspects of your day to day living.

  • My favorite coffee brands (batch tested and free of mold) – Bulletproof & Purity Coffee

 

4. Intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting is simply limiting your calorie intake to a specific window of time each day. This window is typically between one and eight hours. The rest of the time you would be limited to non-caloric beverages

  • Intermittent fasting does a lot of great things for your body, including lowering body weight, increasing insulin sensitivity, and increasing autophagy.

 

5. Blue light. Your body requires blue light to regulate its circadian rhythm. Conventional artificial light sources can disrupt your circadian rhythm and sleep. Blue light also impacts your mood, memory, and general alertness. Exposure to blue light is best accomplished during daytime hours.

  • Avoid using any screen technology (TV, tablet, phone, computer) for an hour or two before bedtime.

 

6. Music. You can change your mood, pulse, blood pressure, focus, and a lot of other things just by listening to music. You already know that certain songs or styles of music make you feel energized, while others make you feel calm and relaxed. But have you ever intentionally used music to your advantage?

  • Make a list of your favorite songs and the effects they have on you. What song would you listen to if you were feeling down? What song makes you feel like you could take on a room full of professional boxers? What song relaxes you the most?

 

7. Cold Therapy. Sitting in a cold tub of water, taking a cold shower, or simply sitting outside in cold weather while underdressed can stress your body in a positive way, as long as you don’t overdo it. Your body becomes stronger by dealing with that stress.  This has been one of my go to’s in the past 6 months… so bad, but so good.

  • Exercise and intermittent fasting are similar in that they can bring a positive stress (eustress) to your body.

 

8. Sauna. Heat can be another positive stressor for your body when used responsibly. A short sit in the sauna or hot tub on a regular basis can enhance your health. Unlike cold therapy, it feels good, too.

 

Biohacking is here to stay. You’ve already participated in biohacking on some level. If you’ve ever exercised, experimented with altering your sleep pattern, or tried to gain or lose weight, you were a biohacker!

 A few simple practices can alter your life for the better. Biohacking is a tool that will help you to perform at your best, be a healthier and a happier human being.

Which of these practices will you start incorporating into your life?  Which ones have you tried and what is your experience?  Leave a comment in the comments section!

 

Till next time ~

Erin

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Don’t Forget To Take Your Vitamins!

Posted on July 7, 2020 by eresko

A Juicy, Fun Way To Take Your Vitamins

While kids (and adults) want great taste, you want to give them the vitamins, minerals, and fiber their growing bodies need.  What’s the answer?  Watermelon!! Serve it up and everyone wins.

Watermelon is a fun, nutritious way to make sure active kids and adults (let’s be real… most of us don’t drink enough water and are chronically dehydrated) don’t get dehydrated; it’s 92 percent water, plus a whole host of other good electrolytes and vitamins.  I lived off watermelon juice during my pregnancy and while I breastfed.

A two-cup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, and C, and it provides 7 percent of the recommended daily value of potassium, which is a staple electrolyte to help keep you hydrated.  It’s a great substitution for your other electrolyte mix or drinks during the summer (and really all year).  Using a whole food natural electrolyte is always a better bet than a sugary powder that is added to all your water, and is ALWAYS a better choice than a flavored, brightly colored sports drink to replenish your natural salts.

Watermelon also contains fiber and lots of antioxidants. Its beautiful red color comes from all-natural lycopene, an antioxidant also found in tomatoes.

The beauty of watermelon is, it can be eaten at any meal… breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it’s a wonderful snack for the whole family. Delicious on its own, watermelon is a fantastic ingredient in recipes, too. Try pairing it with mint and goat cheese in a fruit salad, mix up a watermelon salsa or this deliciously refreshing gem:

 

Try out these limited edition Energy Fizz sticks from Arbonne – packed with energizing B vitamins, Green tea, guarana, and ginseng for a smooth, uplifting energy boost without the jitters!

 🍉Click the image below to order 🍉

Till next time~

Erin

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