Tag Archives: Fight
5 Natural Ways to Fight Off Eczema
If you suffer from eczema, you want and need to seek relief. You may opt for expensive over-the-counter products or try prescriptions recommended by your doctor. These may work, but don’t discount natural ways to fight off eczema. Luckily, there are many natural remedies that have proven effective for treating eczema, 5 of which are outlined below.
Natural Remedy for Eczema #1 – Bathe Properly
Proper bathing and showering is key to not only treating eczema, but preventing more outbreaks. Most medical professionals recommend short showers or baths. Lukewarm water with no bath bubbles is advised. Eczema suffers should also limit the amount of scented shampoo, conditioner, and soap they use. Opt for all-natural or organic instead. Although not necessarily an all-natural cure, lotions and creams should be applied immediately following a bath or shower to lock in the moisture.
Natural Remedy for Eczema #2 – Drink Plenty of Water
Lukewarm baths and showers have their benefits because they moisturize the skin. Lotions and creams can help keep this moisture locked in. Don’t just moisture your body from the outside, but the inside too. The most natural and easiest way to do so is to drink lots of water. Keep your body hydrated and it will help your skin, making eczema easier to manage.
Natural Remedy for Eczema #3 – Take Oatmeal Baths
Above it was stated that short baths and showers are recommended. The only exception to this is when oatmeal is used. Oatmeal tends to have a calming effect on the skin. There are all-natural oatmeal bath product sold at most department stores and drug stores, but you can easily make your own mixture. Honestly, the oatmeal sold at supermarkets will do. Add two or three cups to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water.
Natural Remedy for Eczema #4 – Watch What You Need
Watching what you eat is a natural way to fight off eczema. Unfortunately, you may run into some problems. You want to eat skin healthy foods, but some of these foods may trigger an outbreak or flare-up. For example, fruits are known to help against premature aging, but seeded fruits are a common eczema cause. You should keep a daily log of your food and drink consumption. Use this to determine what you ate or drank before each outbreak. If you notice a pattern, permanently adjusting your eating habits.
Natural Remedy for Eczema #5 – Use All Natural Supplements
All-natural supplements have proven helpful in many eczema patients. In fact, some swear by them. What you want to do is research natural supplements that can help treat or cure eczema. Good examples include fish oil, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Then, work on adding these supplements into your diet. Do so slowly and one at a time, so you know which works and which doesn’t. Supplements come in over-the-counter format, but most are found naturally in foods too.
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Antioxidants fight histamine inflammation
Research tells us that consuming antioxidant foods at every meal helps us stay out of “oxidative debt”. If you’ve been reading my blog and following a similar diet to mine, you’ll be doing this already (and it certainly explains why I can tolerate higher histamine foods). Here’s what we know about how free radicals are causing inflammation generally, and triggering histamine release from mast cells in the body.
All references always at the end of the post.
It started with a study I tripped over while researching something else: sodium cromoglycate, a commonly prescribed mast cell stabiliser (prevents mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammation) has antioxidant activity.
Which led me to wondering how histamine and mast cells are linked to antioxidants (the good stuff you find in foods like blueberries).
What I found:
Free radicals (linked to cancer and aging) trigger mast cells into releasing histamine in the body
Anti-oxidant foods can prevent histamine related damage
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are found in walnuts and salmon which both have a good amount of inflammation fighting omega 3 fatty acids. PUFAs are also in sunflower and soybean oil, and meat (unless you go for grass fed and finished), which all have a higher omega 6 content. PUFAs can generate free radicals, which are linked to aging and cancer, and have been found to release histamine from mast cells. This histamine release however is prevented by antioxidant compounds. I’ve been fine with a number of higher histamine foods that have higher omega 3 ratio, this may be why.
According to a recent video by Dr. Michael McGregor, the New York Times best selling author of How Not to Die, antioxidants that fight cancer and prevent age related disease and dementia, are required at every meal, not just once a day. His round up of the latest research really hit home for me since it’s what I’ve been doing for years, only with the intention of balancing out any histamine ingested in that meal. My main source of histamine inflammation preventing antioxidants are fruit and fresh green herbs. I make sure to have a really generous helping of both, every time I eat.
An example would be a few slices of avocado with an antihistamine cilantro, basil and shallot sauce and a generous helping of mixed anti-inflammatory mesclun greens, with a cup of blueberries or other berries/nuts.
People with a mast cell related condition called Mastocytosis are sometimes advised to stay away from morphine and other opiate based medications. I’ve always known it’s because they release histamine from mast cells, but it seems that these medications (and recreational drugs like cocaine) do this by triggering the release of free radicals.
I guess the lesson here is swap out your daily side order of cocaine for fresh basil sauce.
In other news, polyphenols with antioxidant activity were found to have mast cell stabilising properties, which is not news to my readers. It’s the reason I have been taking Dr. Theoharides’ Neuroprotek antioxidant supplement and eating a diet that balances inflammation. I only wish I’d done it sooner than a few years ago!
Here’s a few anti-oxidant foods from Dr. Axe’s website:
- Wild blueberries: 14,000 ORAC score.
- Pecans: 17,000 ORAC score.
- Artichoke: 9,400 ORAC score.
- Elderberries: 14,000 ORAC score.
- Kidney beans: 8,400 ORAC score.
- Cranberries: 9,500 ORAC score.
- Oregano, one of the rosmarinic herbs (which include thyme, rosemary and sage) ranks even higher in antioxidant activity than apples (over 40 times higher) and four times higher than blueberries. The Whole Foods website tells us that just one tablespoon of fresh oregano has the same antioxidant activity as an apple.
- Explains so much to me…
It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.
The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.
The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.
Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.
Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes
——— REFERENCES ———-
Publications, Harvard Health. “The truth about fats: the good, the bad, and the in-between.” Harvard Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
Masini, Emanuela, Beatrice Palmerani, Francesco Gambassi, Alessandra Pistelli, Eliana Giannella, Brunella Occupati, Mario Ciuffi, Tatiana Bani Sacchi, and Pier Francesco Mannaioni. “Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by metabolic activation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into free radicals.” Biochemical Pharmacology 39.5 (1990): 879-89. Web.
“The Many Dangers Of Excess PUFA Consumption | Paleo Leap.” Paleo Leap | Paleo diet Recipes & Tips. N.p., 15 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
Greger, M.D. Michael. “Antioxidant-Rich Foods with Every Meal.” NutritionFacts.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
“These Foods, Herb, Spices & Oils are Absolutely Bursting with Antioxidants.” Dr. Axe. N.p., 24 Jan. 2017. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
Bello, M. G. Di, E. Masini, C. Ioannides, J. F. Ndisang, S. Raspanti, T. Bani Sacchi, and P. F. Mannaioni. “Erratum to: Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by the metabolic activation of drugs of abuse into free radicals.” Inflammation Research 62.2 (2012): 247. Web.
Antioxidants fight histamine inflammation
Research tells us that consuming antioxidant foods at every meal helps us stay out of “oxidative debt”. If you’ve been reading my blog and following a similar diet to mine, you’ll be doing this already (and it certainly explains why I can tolerate higher histamine foods). Here’s what we know about how free radicals are causing inflammation generally, and triggering histamine release from mast cells in the body.
All references always at the end of the post.
It started with a study I tripped over while researching something else: sodium cromoglycate, a commonly prescribed mast cell stabiliser (prevents mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammation) has antioxidant activity.
Which led me to wondering how histamine and mast cells are linked to antioxidants (the good stuff you find in foods like blueberries).
What I found:
Free radicals (linked to cancer and aging) trigger mast cells into releasing histamine in the body
Anti-oxidant foods can prevent histamine related damage
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are found in walnuts and salmon which both have a good amount of inflammation fighting omega 3 fatty acids. PUFAs are also in sunflower and soybean oil, and meat (unless you go for grass fed and finished), which all have a higher omega 6 content. PUFAs can generate free radicals, which are linked to aging and cancer, and have been found to release histamine from mast cells. This histamine release however is prevented by antioxidant compounds. I’ve been fine with a number of higher histamine foods that have higher omega 3 ratio, this may be why.
According to a recent video by Dr. Michael McGregor, the New York Times best selling author of How Not to Die, antioxidants that fight cancer and prevent age related disease and dementia, are required at every meal, not just once a day. His round up of the latest research really hit home for me since it’s what I’ve been doing for years, only with the intention of balancing out any histamine ingested in that meal. My main source of histamine inflammation preventing antioxidants are fruit and fresh green herbs. I make sure to have a really generous helping of both, every time I eat.
An example would be a few slices of avocado with an antihistamine cilantro, basil and shallot sauce and a generous helping of mixed anti-inflammatory mesclun greens, with a cup of blueberries or other berries/nuts.
People with a mast cell related condition called Mastocytosis are sometimes advised to stay away from morphine and other opiate based medications. I’ve always known it’s because they release histamine from mast cells, but it seems that these medications (and recreational drugs like cocaine) do this by triggering the release of free radicals.
I guess the lesson here is swap out your daily side order of cocaine for fresh basil sauce.
In other news, polyphenols with antioxidant activity were found to have mast cell stabilising properties, which is not news to my readers. It’s the reason I have been taking Dr. Theoharides’ Neuroprotek antioxidant supplement and eating a diet that balances inflammation. I only wish I’d done it sooner than a few years ago!
Here’s a few anti-oxidant foods from Dr. Axe’s website:
- Wild blueberries: 14,000 ORAC score.
- Pecans: 17,000 ORAC score.
- Artichoke: 9,400 ORAC score.
- Elderberries: 14,000 ORAC score.
- Kidney beans: 8,400 ORAC score.
- Cranberries: 9,500 ORAC score.
- Oregano, one of the rosmarinic herbs (which include thyme, rosemary and sage) ranks even higher in antioxidant activity than apples (over 40 times higher) and four times higher than blueberries. The Whole Foods website tells us that just one tablespoon of fresh oregano has the same antioxidant activity as an apple.
- Explains so much to me…
It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.
The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.
The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.
Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.
Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes
——— REFERENCES ———-
Publications, Harvard Health. “The truth about fats: the good, the bad, and the in-between.” Harvard Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
Masini, Emanuela, Beatrice Palmerani, Francesco Gambassi, Alessandra Pistelli, Eliana Giannella, Brunella Occupati, Mario Ciuffi, Tatiana Bani Sacchi, and Pier Francesco Mannaioni. “Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by metabolic activation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into free radicals.” Biochemical Pharmacology 39.5 (1990): 879-89. Web.
“The Many Dangers Of Excess PUFA Consumption | Paleo Leap.” Paleo Leap | Paleo diet Recipes & Tips. N.p., 15 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
Greger, M.D. Michael. “Antioxidant-Rich Foods with Every Meal.” NutritionFacts.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
“These Foods, Herb, Spices & Oils are Absolutely Bursting with Antioxidants.” Dr. Axe. N.p., 24 Jan. 2017. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.
Bello, M. G. Di, E. Masini, C. Ioannides, J. F. Ndisang, S. Raspanti, T. Bani Sacchi, and P. F. Mannaioni. “Erratum to: Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by the metabolic activation of drugs of abuse into free radicals.” Inflammation Research 62.2 (2012): 247. Web.
The Fight To Stay Sober: Why You May Not Want To Battle Your Addiction On Your Own
Addiction – no matter what it is that you are addicted to – can be a very hard thing to beat on your own. There are many factors that play into why it is such a tough road for people to travel on their own. Knowing why it is best to stay at an in-patient facility and then make use of various types of assistance once you are released from there is crucial to your recovery. This way you will be less likely to try to recover “your own way,” which has proven time and time again to be a bad route to go as it generally leads to terrible relapses.
Getting Through The Withdrawal Symptoms
The exact withdrawal symptoms that you are going to experience will vary depending on the type of substance that you are addicted to. It could be anything from irritation and insomnia to night sweats and uncontrollable diarrhea. Either way, most people would agree that it is not a pleasant experience to go through, especially on your own.
This is why it is so important to make sure that you are checking into somewhere like this Atlanta detox center in order to get through the detoxification process. Within one of these facilities, you will be monitored by heathcare professionals. They may even be able to give you some medication that can help control the severity of the detox symptoms. Most importantly, while going through detox there, you will not have the ability to slip up and look for more illegal substances in order to end the uncomfortable feeling of detox, as you are in a controlled environment.
Look Into A Dual-Diagnosis
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a dual diagnosis is needed in order to successfully treat the addiction and any mental health issues that may be present. It can be hard to know whether the addiction came first and that caused a mental health issue, or if there was a mental health issue that someone tried dealing with through the use of addictive substances. Either way, anyone that does have a mental health disorder will need to receive proper treatment for that in order to increase his or her odds of a successful recovery.
Handling Temptations
Once you have been released from the substance abuse rehabilitation facility, you will need to be extra cautious to make sure that you are avoiding as many temptations as possible. Even if you were taking illegal drugs, you may want to avoid anything that can be an addictive thing, such as alcohol. Avoid social drinking gatherings or work related function where alcohol is served.
You will also need to steer clear of any friends or family that you used to purchase from or use with. Otherwise, you might find that you are going to be triggered and will have to start the rehabilitation process all over again.
Long Term Plans
From the beginning of your treatment program, you will be asked to create a plan for your future. This plan should include things that you are going to do to stay on a sober path. Examples of such things would be attending support meetings, taking your medication, attending church, staying in contact with a sponsor, and making new supportive friends. You will also want to think about how you can change your life at home in order to make things a little easier for you. This way, for the beginning part of your recovery, you may not have to deal with as much stress that you may be incapable of dealing with so early into the recovery process.
As long as you are committed to the process and you are willing to put in the work that it takes, you will be able to get sober and stay sober for the rest of your life. You finally have a chance to take control of your life once again. You just have to take that first step.
Fight histamine inflammation: live longer and younger
Inflammaging is the ageing effect of inflammation on the body and brain. We have modern medicine to thank for life span increases, but scientists believe part of the reason inflammation takes such a toll on us is because the immune system must nowadays stay active for longer than ever. This very long activity may lead to chronic inflammation that begins damaging internal organs. As a key component of the immune system, excess histamine is also implicated in ageing and damage to internal organs. Below you’ll find a list of natural anti-inflammatory foods and anti-ageing (all low histamine) oils for topical application.
Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer all have an inflammatory component, but science tells us that genetics plays an important role in their development. Those with genes linked to inflammatory changes are “related to unsuccessful ageing”.
Inflammatory responses are believed to be the driving force behind tissue damage associated with age related diseases, which is why the term “inflammaging” was coined.
Chronic inflammation is considered to be involved in all age-related diseases.
Cancer rates spike dramatically in those 65 and over. Researchers are finding that previous infections in youth, which have triggered inflammation when fought, is a key measure of later inflammaging and cancer rates.
Lower rates of alzheimer’s disease in those with a history of long term use of NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen, is another indicator of just how strongly inflammation impacts the ageing process.
A recent study of Japanese people over 100 years old found that, contrary to what we’ve been told in recent years, the best predictor of a long and healthy life is not telomere length, but levels of inflammation in the body. Scientists running the study found that lower levels of inflammatory agents released by mast cells in the blood meant longer life. The more mast cell activated inflammation in the body, the more age related disease and and shorter life expectancy.
In terms of skin, inflammation can accelerate fine lines, wrinkles, as well as causing engaged pores, puffiness, sagging, blotchiness and reddening of the skin.
One of the main keys to fighting inflammation is avoiding unhealthy fats like partially hydrogenated ones found in processed foods, cottonseed, palm, soy and corn oils, which can now even be found in “healthy” foods found on organic supermarket shelves. Eating anti-inflammatory foods, particularly ones rich in omega 3 fatty acids meanwhile has a significant anti-ageing effect on the body and brain.
One of the most terrifying symptoms of histamine/mast cell activated inflammation has to be its effect on the brain, otherwise known as brain fog. In my case this manifested in the inability to understand or remember what was being said in classrooms. I relied heavily on my notes, when I wasn’t too exhausted or disinterested to write them (motivation takes a plunge into the toilet bowl when you’re too tired to walk to class), but even a hint of stress would send said information scurrying into the furthest recess of my memory. A leftover from those years, which has sadly persisted to this day, is that I will question something I believe I know – something I have read or studied, simply because accessing memories formed in those troubled years is like trying to scoop up a catfish from a slimy green pond using freshly vaseline-d hands. The harder I try to extract said nugget of information from that murky green pond, the more it writhes and wriggles free, till I lose it, unsure it was ever there.
Thank goodness for iphones, wikipedia and google.
Luckily, memories formed in recent years have proven far easier to access (now that my brain fog has resolved) and so today I’m sharing some of the causes of brain fog in histamine disorders and the research on how to alleviate it. There is of course far more than just one cause and more than one approach to treating it.
According to a paper by Dr. Theoharides at Tufts, published in Neuropharmacology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, brain fog is a constellation of symptoms that include reduced cognition, inability to concentrate and multitask, as well as a loss of short and long term memory. The paper goes on to share that brain fog is common to those with celiac, chronic fatigue, autism spectrum disorders, fibromyalgia, mastocytosis, postural tachycardia syndrome, as well as in early clinical presentations of alzheimer’s. Dr. Theoharides believes that brain fog may be due to inflammatory molecules and histamine released from mast cells, causing brain inflammation.
The paper sums up the findings I spoke about earlier regarding histamine’s opposing roles in memory: “It appears that some histamine is necessary for alertness, learning and motivation, but too much histamine shuts the system down, in mast cells and histaminergic neurons, by activating H3 auto inhibitory receptors leading to brain “fog”.
The paper concludes with a review of recent research, including that of Dr. Theoharides, showing that flavonoids occurring in nature, like luteolin (though quercetin is also one), can prevent and treat neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases (including alzheimer’s). In a similar vein, researchers at the University of Illinois recently published research on how luteolin could help alleviate or prevent symptoms of alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis, based on its brain protecting activity.
Now while we’re told that eating our medicine is unlikely to be enough for us, I still believe that eating a diet solely comprised of said healing foods is still an awesome healing approach, whether or not we choose to use supplements. I actually only came up with my diet after doing some hardcore research into mast cell stablising and histamine lowering nutrients available in the supermarket.
Common inflammation triggers
Excess histamine
Allergies
Stress
Trauma/injury
Inflammatory diet (high histamine diet, a diet low in omega 3 fatty acids, a diet high in processed foods)
Why take NSAIDs for inflammation when you can eat your medicine?
Studies show that NSAIDs delay muscle regeneration (like after you exercise), reduce cartilage healing, and others find that they work no better than placebos in reducing pain and soft-tissue swelling. This class of medications is also known to cause kidney damage and heart attack in older patients.
Please do not add any supplements to your diet without consulting your doctor. Sone of these supplements may be very high in salicylic acid and are not suitable for those with salicylate intolerance.
Fish/omega 3 oils
Now recommended by the American Heart Association, fish oil is an important component of an anti-inflammatory diet. From a histamine perspective, it’s not so clear. The best choice would be an unfermented fish oil. Studies have found that DHA, a type of vegan omega 3 rich oil, is particularly effective at preventing histamine release from cells in animals.
I use Dr. Fuhrman’s DHA+EPA Purity oil with no problem.
White willow bark
One of the oldest inflammation remedies known to man, this tree bark is high in salicylic acid, the stuff aspirin is made of. It blocks the COX enzymes and prostaglandins. Studies show it can be as effective as NSAIDs and aspirin, with fewer side effects.
Curcumin
The active constituent of turmeric has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory with potential to treat colitis, neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis and cancer. It is also an antihistamine and mast cell stabiliser. It can however negatively impact the histamine-degrading enzyme DAO in some. I use turmeric daily in cooking.
Green tea
Anti-inflammatory, antihistamine and mast cell stabilising. As with all teas however, it may negatively impact the DAO enzyme. I drink green tea infrequently because of the caffeine.
Pycnogenol
Another bark product, this extract is comparable in efficacy to sodium cromolyn, the most commonly prescribed pharmaceutical for preventing histamine release from mast cells. It’s considered useful in promoting wound and ulcer healing in particular but also other inflammatory conditions.
Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine beauty/ageing prevention (to be applied topically)
Pomegranate seed oil
Baobab oil
Moringa oil
Oat masks
Coconut oil
——REFERENCES——
Bost, Jeffreyw, Adara Maroon, and Josephc Maroon. “Natural Anti-inflammatory Agents for Pain Relief.” Surgical Neurology International Surg Neurol Int 1.1 (2010): 80. Web.
Yamada, Koji, Mitsuo Mori, Noritaka Matsuo, Kentaro Shoji, Takashi Ueyama, and Michihiro Sugano. “Effects of Fatty Acids on Accumulation and Secretion of Histamine in RBL-2H3 Cells and Leukotriene Release from Peritoneal Exudate Cells Isolated from Wistar Rats.” Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, J Nutr Sci Vitaminol Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 42.4 (1996): 301-11. Web.
Franceschi, C., and J. Campisi. “Chronic Inflammation (Inflammaging) and Its Potential Contribution to Age-Associated Diseases.” The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 69.Suppl 1 (2014): n. pag. Web.
“Brain Fog – the Histamine Connection and beyond.” THE LOW HISTAMINE CHEF. N.p., 2015. Web. 06 Aug. 2016.