Although Candida albicans is a yeast fungus that is relatively easy to treat with fungicides it is increasingly being replaced, after treatment, by the more resistant Candida glabrata. Candida glabrata is common in humans, usually on the skin where it does little harm. But if it enters the blood system, it can be directly life threatening to people with poor immune defence, such as cancer and AIDS patients.Professor Jure Piškur of the Department of Cell and Organism Biology at the Lund University in Sweden has discovered that Candida glabrata can mutate surprisingly rapidly by reorganising its chromosomes and making extra copies of large chromosome pieces. As a result Candida glabrata can survive ten times the normal dose of the fungicide fluconazole. However, Professor Piškur stresses that people whose immune defence is normal run very little risk of being affected by this life-threatening form of fungal infection in the blood system.More at http://tinyurl.com/cpw9yz via JS(Source: FoodsMatter)
Little Giant: Saccharomyces Boularrdii (S.B.) is really effective against Candida. Ladies or kids who are attacked by Candida should consider taking S.B. and good probiotics.
2009年7月24日 星期五
Fragrance in personal care and household products causes eczema
Fragrance in personal care and household products causes eczema
個人用品及家居用品中的香料導致濕疹
Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that 5–7% of 3,000 eczema patients patch tested positive to the air-oxidised form of the fragrance ingredient linalool which is found in 60-80% of common, perfumed hygiene products, washing up liquids and household cleaning agents.Around one person in five in Sweden has some form of contact allergy, most commonly to nickel and cobalt but this research shows that oxidized linalool occupies third place in the list.Linalool is a fragrance ingredient found naturally in lavender, mint and other plants; it breaks down when it comes into contact with oxygen, becomes oxidised and can cause allergy.Manufacturers include substances in the products to delay this oxidation, but allergenic substances can still be formed from linalool when it is stored.EU legislation states that manufacturers must specify on the labels of hygiene products whether they contain linalool.
Previous studies showed that oxidized linalool may cause contact allergy in 1% of patients with eczema.
More at http://tinyurl.com/cu42jb via JS
(Source: FoodsMatter)
個人用品及家居用品中的香料導致濕疹
Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that 5–7% of 3,000 eczema patients patch tested positive to the air-oxidised form of the fragrance ingredient linalool which is found in 60-80% of common, perfumed hygiene products, washing up liquids and household cleaning agents.Around one person in five in Sweden has some form of contact allergy, most commonly to nickel and cobalt but this research shows that oxidized linalool occupies third place in the list.Linalool is a fragrance ingredient found naturally in lavender, mint and other plants; it breaks down when it comes into contact with oxygen, becomes oxidised and can cause allergy.Manufacturers include substances in the products to delay this oxidation, but allergenic substances can still be formed from linalool when it is stored.EU legislation states that manufacturers must specify on the labels of hygiene products whether they contain linalool.
Previous studies showed that oxidized linalool may cause contact allergy in 1% of patients with eczema.
More at http://tinyurl.com/cu42jb via JS
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Klaire Products：Often Selected by Practitioners for Autistic Children
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are associated with an array of gastrointestinal, immune system, and metabolic abnormalities.
Many of these children on the autism spectrum exhibit sensitivities to foods and environmental toxins.Clinical and laboratory evidence has been steadily accumulating implicating these multisystem abnormalities and sensitivities in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of ASD symptomatology. An ever increasing number of parents and practitioners are finding that a biomedical approach to ASD that addresses these issues can improve outcomes in children on the autism spectrum. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and specialty supplements arekey components in the biomedical approach to ASD either as primary interventions or as adjunctive measures.
Over the years, health practitioners have come to rely upon Klaire Labs™ for nutritional supplements designed to address the special needs of children on the autism spectrum.
Klaire’s hypoallergenic line of probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and specialty supplements contain ingredients well tolerated by children on the autism spectrumand are often the practitioner’s preferred choice to support gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurological, detoxification, and immune system functions.As no two individuals on the autism spectrum present with the same pathologies, treatment protocols vary and are tailored to each child’s needs.
Certain Klaire products, however, have become standouts among practitioners treating ASD and are widely used to provide foundational nutritional support for these children.
ProbioticsChildren on the autism spectrum have significant gastrointestinal pathology which may include overgrowth of microbial pathogens, such as Candida albicans and Clostridium species, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and malabsorption.
Additionally, diarrhea and/or constipation are often present, either as a result of gastrointestinal pathology or in response to antibiotic therapy and other medications.
Probiotic supplements containing live beneficial microorganisms are frequently used as one of the first nutritional interventions for children on the autism spectrum.
Use of appropriate probiotics helps eliminate pathogens, restore and maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora and support healthy gastrointestinal and immune system function.
Restoring balance to the gastrointestinal system is crucial for proper nutrient digestion and absorption, protection against intestinal toxins and pathogens, bowel regularity, and immunesystem enhancement.High-potency Ther-Biotic® Detoxification Support with 50+ billion CFUs per capsule is often selected to help restore a healthy balance of intestinal flora during detoxification protocols such as broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-fungal medications or metal chelating agents.
Toxins and metabolic by-products generated during use of these agents can disturbthe healthy balance of intestinal microflora or exacerbate existing intestinal dysbiosis.
Ther-Biotic® DetoxificationSupport provides two colonizing Lactobacillus and one endogenous Bifidobacterium probiotic species that support the body’s natural detoxification processes by metabolizing or reducing uptake of toxins by the gut.Ther-Biotic® Complete, the most comprehensive, maximum-support probiotic formula in the Klaire line, contains 12 certified probiotic species and provides broad coverage to encourage a healthy balance of microflora across the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Ther-Biotic® Complete is recommended for initial, aggressive dosing to regain gastrointestinalmicrobial synergy as well as for daily maintenance once a healthy balance of the gut microflora is restored.
It is available in both an ultra-high potency powder providing 100+ billion CFUs per 1/4 teaspoon (400+ billion CFUs per teaspoon) and in vegetarian capsules, each providing 25+ billion CFUs.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a powerful, non-pathogenic, transient yeast probiotic long-used for various types of diarrhea.It is a hardy, acid-resistant, temperature tolerant microorganism that is not affected by antibiotics. S. boulardii is often used to assist individuals with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute or chronic diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal infections, including Candida albicans.
Overgrowth of pathogenic Candida yeast species is a frequent, often recurrent, problem in children on the autistic spectrum.
Many practitioners rely on S. boulardii for its ability to produce antifungal toxins and organic acids known to naturally inhibit or kill disease causing Candida yeast species. S. boulardii is generally used for short-term gastrointestinal support and is also animportant ingredient in ABx Support™.
ABx Support™ is designed to be used concurrently with antibiotic therapy.
ABx Support™ contains a carefully researched blend of Saccharomyces boulardii with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium breve, probiotic microorganisms documented to support against antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated bowel disorder, intestinal and vaginal yeast overgrowth, and vaginal dysbiosis.
Digestive EnzymesOne of the most frequent problems found in children on the autism spectrum is inadequate production and function of digestive enzymes resulting in impaired digestion and contributing to common symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, dyspepsia, gastric reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.
Incomplete enzymatic digestion of ingested grain protein gluten and milk protein casein results in the generation of neurologically active peptides called exorphins.Exorphin peptides are opiate-like substances that adversely affect development and signal processing in the brain.Supplemental digestive enzymes can facilitate the breakdown of exorphins as well as generally support the digestion by mediating the breakdown of food carbohydrates, fats, peptides and proteins, facilitating macro- and micronutrient absorption, and reducing the number of large and potentially inflammatory molecules leaking through the intestinal membrane.
Vital-Zymes™ Complete and Vital-Zymes™ Chewable are high-potency, multi-enzyme formulas with a complete range of plant/microbial-based enzymes that work in concert to maximize the breakdown, absorption, and utilization of macronutrients from a wide spectrum of foods, including proteins and peptides, complex carbohydrates, disaccharides, fats, and vegetable fibers.SerenAid®, a proprietary, high-activity vegetarian enzyme blend of Peptidase and Protease with Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DDP-IV) activity, has long been the standard for hydrolysis of small protein peptides, including exorphins from casein and gluten.
Vitamin and Mineral SupportDietary supplementation with vitamins and minerals is often used to help correct the nutritional deficits so common in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The gastrointestinal pathology associated with ASD is linked to significant malabsorption ofvitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Children on the autism spectrum have been shown to have a variety of metabolic abnormalities including impaired methylation and transsulfuration biochemistry, increased oxidative stress, and altered energy production that may respond to robust vitamin and mineral repletion.
Klaire Labs™ provides practitioners with a wide selection of single- and multi-nutrient formulas to assist them in meeting individual patient needs. Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (P-5-P), Micellized Vitamin A, Methylcobalamin, Zinc Plus, and Magnesium Glycinate are a just a few of the single-nutrient formulas often incorporated into ASD protocols.VitaSpectrum™ is a powdered multiple vitamin and mineral supplement containing 28 highly bioavailable essential nutrients in forms, quantities, and ratios designed to address nutritional disturbances commonly observed in children on the autism spectrum.
Biologically active forms of folate, B12, and B6 along with naturally sourced vitamins A, E, and D are included for optimal nutrient utilization. Iron and copper, often contraindicated in ASD, are excluded.VitaSpectrum™ is affordably priced and provides a comprehensive group of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in a single product.
The Klaire Labs™ CommitmentKlaire Labs™ was founded in 1969 to provide nutritional support for individuals with severe food allergies and environmental sensitivities.
Klaire products utilize well-tolerated, highly bioavailable ingredients, free of common allergens. Klaire Labs™ works closely with clinicians and researchers to formulate innovative products that can be used with confidence by individuals with special needs such as childrem on the autism spectrum.
Klaire Labs™ maintains an ongoing commitment to product purity, hypoallergenicity, and rigorous quality control.
Active and inert ingredients used in Klaire products are free of common allergens, including dairy, wheat, corn, yeast, and gluten. No sugar, starch, maltodextrin, stearates, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, salicylates or preservatives are used in manufacturingmaking Klaire Labs™ products widely-preferred and suitable choices in the biomedical management of ASD.
Many of these children on the autism spectrum exhibit sensitivities to foods and environmental toxins.Clinical and laboratory evidence has been steadily accumulating implicating these multisystem abnormalities and sensitivities in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of ASD symptomatology. An ever increasing number of parents and practitioners are finding that a biomedical approach to ASD that addresses these issues can improve outcomes in children on the autism spectrum. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and specialty supplements arekey components in the biomedical approach to ASD either as primary interventions or as adjunctive measures.
Over the years, health practitioners have come to rely upon Klaire Labs™ for nutritional supplements designed to address the special needs of children on the autism spectrum.
Klaire’s hypoallergenic line of probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and specialty supplements contain ingredients well tolerated by children on the autism spectrumand are often the practitioner’s preferred choice to support gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurological, detoxification, and immune system functions.As no two individuals on the autism spectrum present with the same pathologies, treatment protocols vary and are tailored to each child’s needs.
Certain Klaire products, however, have become standouts among practitioners treating ASD and are widely used to provide foundational nutritional support for these children.
ProbioticsChildren on the autism spectrum have significant gastrointestinal pathology which may include overgrowth of microbial pathogens, such as Candida albicans and Clostridium species, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and malabsorption.
Additionally, diarrhea and/or constipation are often present, either as a result of gastrointestinal pathology or in response to antibiotic therapy and other medications.
Probiotic supplements containing live beneficial microorganisms are frequently used as one of the first nutritional interventions for children on the autism spectrum.
Use of appropriate probiotics helps eliminate pathogens, restore and maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora and support healthy gastrointestinal and immune system function.
Restoring balance to the gastrointestinal system is crucial for proper nutrient digestion and absorption, protection against intestinal toxins and pathogens, bowel regularity, and immunesystem enhancement.High-potency Ther-Biotic® Detoxification Support with 50+ billion CFUs per capsule is often selected to help restore a healthy balance of intestinal flora during detoxification protocols such as broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-fungal medications or metal chelating agents.
Toxins and metabolic by-products generated during use of these agents can disturbthe healthy balance of intestinal microflora or exacerbate existing intestinal dysbiosis.
Ther-Biotic® DetoxificationSupport provides two colonizing Lactobacillus and one endogenous Bifidobacterium probiotic species that support the body’s natural detoxification processes by metabolizing or reducing uptake of toxins by the gut.Ther-Biotic® Complete, the most comprehensive, maximum-support probiotic formula in the Klaire line, contains 12 certified probiotic species and provides broad coverage to encourage a healthy balance of microflora across the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Ther-Biotic® Complete is recommended for initial, aggressive dosing to regain gastrointestinalmicrobial synergy as well as for daily maintenance once a healthy balance of the gut microflora is restored.
It is available in both an ultra-high potency powder providing 100+ billion CFUs per 1/4 teaspoon (400+ billion CFUs per teaspoon) and in vegetarian capsules, each providing 25+ billion CFUs.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a powerful, non-pathogenic, transient yeast probiotic long-used for various types of diarrhea.It is a hardy, acid-resistant, temperature tolerant microorganism that is not affected by antibiotics. S. boulardii is often used to assist individuals with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute or chronic diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal infections, including Candida albicans.
Overgrowth of pathogenic Candida yeast species is a frequent, often recurrent, problem in children on the autistic spectrum.
Many practitioners rely on S. boulardii for its ability to produce antifungal toxins and organic acids known to naturally inhibit or kill disease causing Candida yeast species. S. boulardii is generally used for short-term gastrointestinal support and is also animportant ingredient in ABx Support™.
ABx Support™ is designed to be used concurrently with antibiotic therapy.
ABx Support™ contains a carefully researched blend of Saccharomyces boulardii with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium breve, probiotic microorganisms documented to support against antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-associated bowel disorder, intestinal and vaginal yeast overgrowth, and vaginal dysbiosis.
Digestive EnzymesOne of the most frequent problems found in children on the autism spectrum is inadequate production and function of digestive enzymes resulting in impaired digestion and contributing to common symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, dyspepsia, gastric reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.
Incomplete enzymatic digestion of ingested grain protein gluten and milk protein casein results in the generation of neurologically active peptides called exorphins.Exorphin peptides are opiate-like substances that adversely affect development and signal processing in the brain.Supplemental digestive enzymes can facilitate the breakdown of exorphins as well as generally support the digestion by mediating the breakdown of food carbohydrates, fats, peptides and proteins, facilitating macro- and micronutrient absorption, and reducing the number of large and potentially inflammatory molecules leaking through the intestinal membrane.
Vital-Zymes™ Complete and Vital-Zymes™ Chewable are high-potency, multi-enzyme formulas with a complete range of plant/microbial-based enzymes that work in concert to maximize the breakdown, absorption, and utilization of macronutrients from a wide spectrum of foods, including proteins and peptides, complex carbohydrates, disaccharides, fats, and vegetable fibers.SerenAid®, a proprietary, high-activity vegetarian enzyme blend of Peptidase and Protease with Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DDP-IV) activity, has long been the standard for hydrolysis of small protein peptides, including exorphins from casein and gluten.
Vitamin and Mineral SupportDietary supplementation with vitamins and minerals is often used to help correct the nutritional deficits so common in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The gastrointestinal pathology associated with ASD is linked to significant malabsorption ofvitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Children on the autism spectrum have been shown to have a variety of metabolic abnormalities including impaired methylation and transsulfuration biochemistry, increased oxidative stress, and altered energy production that may respond to robust vitamin and mineral repletion.
Klaire Labs™ provides practitioners with a wide selection of single- and multi-nutrient formulas to assist them in meeting individual patient needs. Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (P-5-P), Micellized Vitamin A, Methylcobalamin, Zinc Plus, and Magnesium Glycinate are a just a few of the single-nutrient formulas often incorporated into ASD protocols.VitaSpectrum™ is a powdered multiple vitamin and mineral supplement containing 28 highly bioavailable essential nutrients in forms, quantities, and ratios designed to address nutritional disturbances commonly observed in children on the autism spectrum.
Biologically active forms of folate, B12, and B6 along with naturally sourced vitamins A, E, and D are included for optimal nutrient utilization. Iron and copper, often contraindicated in ASD, are excluded.VitaSpectrum™ is affordably priced and provides a comprehensive group of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in a single product.
The Klaire Labs™ CommitmentKlaire Labs™ was founded in 1969 to provide nutritional support for individuals with severe food allergies and environmental sensitivities.
Klaire products utilize well-tolerated, highly bioavailable ingredients, free of common allergens. Klaire Labs™ works closely with clinicians and researchers to formulate innovative products that can be used with confidence by individuals with special needs such as childrem on the autism spectrum.
Klaire Labs™ maintains an ongoing commitment to product purity, hypoallergenicity, and rigorous quality control.
Active and inert ingredients used in Klaire products are free of common allergens, including dairy, wheat, corn, yeast, and gluten. No sugar, starch, maltodextrin, stearates, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, salicylates or preservatives are used in manufacturingmaking Klaire Labs™ products widely-preferred and suitable choices in the biomedical management of ASD.
Fish and heavy metals 魚與重金屬的關係
www.littlegianthk.com/articles/For_little_ones.pdfFor little ones, it's anything but brain foodKate BensonJanuary 7, 2008
SMALL children who eat more than one serving a fortnight of certain types of fish are at risk of developing severe learning and behavioural difficulties that could lead to autism, doctors warned yesterday.
A study has found that children under the age of six who regularly eat large, predatory fish, such as shark (which is sold as flake), catfish, snapper or barramundi often have mercury levels up to seven times the safe maximum, which can lead to aggressive and regressive behaviour.
The author of the study, Associate Professor Stephen Corbett, said yesterday that parents needed to remember that, while most types of fish were beneficial in a child's diet if eaten two to three times a week, and could prevent such disorders as anaemia, some were dangerous.
The author of the study, Associate Professor Stephen Corbett, said yesterday that parents needed to remember that, while most types of fish were beneficial in a child's diet if eaten two to three times a week, and could prevent such disorders as anaemia, some were dangerous.
The rule of thumb was "small fish for the small fry", said Professor Corbett, a director of the Centre for Population Health.
In his study, published in The Medical Journal of Australia today, Professor Corbett reported on three Chinese children living in Sydney who had mercury levels up to seven times the maximum safe level.
The children, who had all been weaned on fish congee, a type of porridge, had eaten fish up to eight times a week and were being treated for developmental delays or neurological problems.
One, a two-year-old boy being treated for aggressive behaviour, ate salmon, barramundi or snapper at least five times a week and had a mercury level three times the safe level. His father had also been diagnosed with mercury poisoning after complaining of rashes, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
The second child, a three-year-old boy, had delayed speech development and some autistic behaviour. He had eaten barramundi, sea perch, salmon and rock cod up to eight times a week and had a blood mercury level seven times the safe level.
Within two weeks of removing fish from his diet, this mercury level had dropped to double what it should have been.
The third child, a 15-month-old boy, had eaten ling and salmon about five times a week and had a mercury level three times the safe level.Within two weeks of removing fish from his diet, this mercury level had dropped to double what it should have been.
The third child, a 15-month-old boy, had eaten ling and salmon about five times a week and had a mercury level three times the safe level.
Professor Corbett said giving babies fish when they were being weaned had health benefits, but congee, if made from large fish species, could exceed the tolerable weekly intake for children.
He said advice about fish consumption needed to be provided in languages other than English to help Asian families understand the dangers.
The chief scientist at the NSW Food Authority, Lisa Szabo, said yesterday that fish high in mercury included flake, swordfish, catfish, marlin, broadbill and orange roughy. Those low in mercury included bream, rainbow trout, ocean trout, flathead, kingfish, whiting, tuna and salmon.
Dr Szabo said frozen fish fingers and fish cakes were harmless as they were made from species such has hake, which is low in mercury, but she urged parents or carers to check labels if they were unsure what kind of fish they were buying.
The state Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the research showed an excessive amount of fish could be detrimental.
"A small amount of fish in a child's diet is healthy for good development of a strong heart and a good nervous system," Ms Meagher said.
"However, excessive levels of fish, particularly big fish, are detrimental."Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/anything-but-brain-food/2008/01/06/1199554485301.html
HIGH MERCURY LEVEL FISH:
flake, swordfish, catfish, marlin, broadbill, orange roughy
LOW MERCURY LEVEL FISH:
bream, rainbow, trout, ocean trout, flathead, kingfish, whiting, tuna, salmon
SMALL children who eat more than one serving a fortnight of certain types of fish are at risk of developing severe learning and behavioural difficulties that could lead to autism, doctors warned yesterday.
A study has found that children under the age of six who regularly eat large, predatory fish, such as shark (which is sold as flake), catfish, snapper or barramundi often have mercury levels up to seven times the safe maximum, which can lead to aggressive and regressive behaviour.
The author of the study, Associate Professor Stephen Corbett, said yesterday that parents needed to remember that, while most types of fish were beneficial in a child's diet if eaten two to three times a week, and could prevent such disorders as anaemia, some were dangerous.
The author of the study, Associate Professor Stephen Corbett, said yesterday that parents needed to remember that, while most types of fish were beneficial in a child's diet if eaten two to three times a week, and could prevent such disorders as anaemia, some were dangerous.
The rule of thumb was "small fish for the small fry", said Professor Corbett, a director of the Centre for Population Health.
In his study, published in The Medical Journal of Australia today, Professor Corbett reported on three Chinese children living in Sydney who had mercury levels up to seven times the maximum safe level.
The children, who had all been weaned on fish congee, a type of porridge, had eaten fish up to eight times a week and were being treated for developmental delays or neurological problems.
One, a two-year-old boy being treated for aggressive behaviour, ate salmon, barramundi or snapper at least five times a week and had a mercury level three times the safe level. His father had also been diagnosed with mercury poisoning after complaining of rashes, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
The second child, a three-year-old boy, had delayed speech development and some autistic behaviour. He had eaten barramundi, sea perch, salmon and rock cod up to eight times a week and had a blood mercury level seven times the safe level.
Within two weeks of removing fish from his diet, this mercury level had dropped to double what it should have been.
The third child, a 15-month-old boy, had eaten ling and salmon about five times a week and had a mercury level three times the safe level.Within two weeks of removing fish from his diet, this mercury level had dropped to double what it should have been.
The third child, a 15-month-old boy, had eaten ling and salmon about five times a week and had a mercury level three times the safe level.
Professor Corbett said giving babies fish when they were being weaned had health benefits, but congee, if made from large fish species, could exceed the tolerable weekly intake for children.
He said advice about fish consumption needed to be provided in languages other than English to help Asian families understand the dangers.
The chief scientist at the NSW Food Authority, Lisa Szabo, said yesterday that fish high in mercury included flake, swordfish, catfish, marlin, broadbill and orange roughy. Those low in mercury included bream, rainbow trout, ocean trout, flathead, kingfish, whiting, tuna and salmon.
Dr Szabo said frozen fish fingers and fish cakes were harmless as they were made from species such has hake, which is low in mercury, but she urged parents or carers to check labels if they were unsure what kind of fish they were buying.
The state Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the research showed an excessive amount of fish could be detrimental.
"A small amount of fish in a child's diet is healthy for good development of a strong heart and a good nervous system," Ms Meagher said.
"However, excessive levels of fish, particularly big fish, are detrimental."Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/anything-but-brain-food/2008/01/06/1199554485301.html
HIGH MERCURY LEVEL FISH:
flake, swordfish, catfish, marlin, broadbill, orange roughy
LOW MERCURY LEVEL FISH:
bream, rainbow, trout, ocean trout, flathead, kingfish, whiting, tuna, salmon
Keeping pets prevents allergies
Keeping pets 'prevents allergies'
Parents are sometimes wary of keeping pets when they have a new baby.
But a study suggests that children who are exposed to two or more cats and dogs in their first year of life have a reduced risk of allergy.
The research also indicates it could lead to boys having a better lung function.
The research, carried out by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan looked at 473 children - 241 girls and 232 boys - some of whom had pets up to about seven-years-old.
It tested atopy - allergic reaction, lung function, and bronchial function each year.
A questionnaire when the children were one-year-old detailed whether or not they had pets.
Concentrations of dust mite allergens in bedrooms were measured at two years of age.
The children received skin tests to common allergens including cat, dog and dust when they were between six and seven years old.
They were also tested for lung and chest functions.
Exposure
It was found those children who had been exposed to pets had half the number of positive skin tests to all the allergens compared to those who had not.
The researchers said that the link was still true when results were adjusted for gender, birth order, parental asthma and smoking and dust mite allergen levels.
In boys only, it was found that having two or more pets was linked to lower levels of immunoglobulin E, which is linked to hypersensitivity reactions, and better lung function.
The research was presented to the American Thoracic Society.
Dr Warren Lenney, a consultant respiratory paediatrician at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, and a member of the British Thoracic Society's external relations board, told BBC News Online the thinking in the past had been to get rid of cats and dogs because they could be a health hazard.
He said: "It very much depends on whether dogs and cats have been there for years or whether it's a new acquisition.
"But they are still very bad news if you are an asthmatic to acquire a dog not having had one before."
But he said he found it "difficult to understand" why boys had different results than girls.
A spokeswoman for the Cats Protection League said: "These findings are good news for cats who are all too often seen as the cause of allergic reactions in children rather than a risk reduction factor."
Parents are sometimes wary of keeping pets when they have a new baby.
But a study suggests that children who are exposed to two or more cats and dogs in their first year of life have a reduced risk of allergy.
The research also indicates it could lead to boys having a better lung function.
The research, carried out by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan looked at 473 children - 241 girls and 232 boys - some of whom had pets up to about seven-years-old.
It tested atopy - allergic reaction, lung function, and bronchial function each year.
A questionnaire when the children were one-year-old detailed whether or not they had pets.
Concentrations of dust mite allergens in bedrooms were measured at two years of age.
The children received skin tests to common allergens including cat, dog and dust when they were between six and seven years old.
They were also tested for lung and chest functions.
Exposure
It was found those children who had been exposed to pets had half the number of positive skin tests to all the allergens compared to those who had not.
The researchers said that the link was still true when results were adjusted for gender, birth order, parental asthma and smoking and dust mite allergen levels.
In boys only, it was found that having two or more pets was linked to lower levels of immunoglobulin E, which is linked to hypersensitivity reactions, and better lung function.
The research was presented to the American Thoracic Society.
Dr Warren Lenney, a consultant respiratory paediatrician at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, and a member of the British Thoracic Society's external relations board, told BBC News Online the thinking in the past had been to get rid of cats and dogs because they could be a health hazard.
He said: "It very much depends on whether dogs and cats have been there for years or whether it's a new acquisition.
"But they are still very bad news if you are an asthmatic to acquire a dog not having had one before."
But he said he found it "difficult to understand" why boys had different results than girls.
A spokeswoman for the Cats Protection League said: "These findings are good news for cats who are all too often seen as the cause of allergic reactions in children rather than a risk reduction factor."
Epsom Salt 浴鹽
Highest grade ( food grade ) USP grade Epsom Salt.
Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound in crystal form . The crystals are formed from evaporated brine pools in earth's crust.
Use: Soaking, footbath, exfoliating dry skin, body wrap, facial, hair conditioner.
Ease stress. Improves sleep and concentration.
Help muscles and nerves function properly.
Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes.
Flush toxins.
Improve absorption of nutrients.
Food Grade.
最高級別（食用級別）的USP級浴鹽。浴鹽外型呈水晶狀，是一種純正的礦物化合物，由地殼的鹽水池蒸發而成水晶狀，用於：浸漬、足浴、去除乾燥皮膚、塗抹包裹身體、面膜及護髮素。
紓緩壓力、改善睡眠及集中能力
有助肌肉及神經系統正常運作
有助超過325種酶發揮正常作用
排出毒素
改善營養吸收能力
食物級別
Himalayan pink salt lamp 喜瑪拉亞山岩鹽燈 粉紅色
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Himalayan salt lamp
Kills bacteria and removes dust, allergens, smoke, odors, germs, electro-smog, mold spores and many other pollutantsHow the salt lamp works - When the lamp warms up, moisture in the air is attracted to the salt crystal and the crystal becomes moist. The ionic bonding of the salt molecule is disrupted resulting in the release of sodium and chlorine ions. When the two atoms are separated the chlorine atom takes an extra ion from the sodium atom, giving the chlorine atom a negative charge. This causes a field of ions to build around the crystal. The salt lamp emits negative ions that counter positive ions (pollutants) in the air. The negative ions emitted by your salt crystal lamp bind with the excessive positive ions. The positive and negative ions cancel each other out. Salt Lamps work in a similar manner to an air purifier: killing the bacteria and removing dust, allergens, smoke, odors, germs, electro-smog, mold spores and many other pollutants. SALT LAMPS CAN INCREASE THE NEGATIVE ION COUNT IN A ROOM BY 300%. Benefits -
Salt Lamps never get dirty or dusty. Salt Lamps help you breathe and sleep better. Salt Lamps are also a beautiful addition to any room décor and function as a perfect nightlight creating a soothing, tranquil atmosphere. When awake, we feel more energy, better concentration, and more alertness. Many people with migraines, allergies, asthma, stress, fatigue, and other problems notice results immediately after continued exposure to an ionized area created by these salt lamps.
Where to use the lamp – In the house: Use these lamps in bedrooms, living rooms hall ways or anywhere else where you want to create a tranquil, cozy, relaxing and serene atmosphere. Allergy Sufferers: A Salt Crystal Lamp in your vicinity will help your wellness and keep the air around you clean, ionized naturally, and beautifully. Use them for Yoga and meditation: When you repose in peace and quiet, a Salt Crystal lamp near you is known to enhance your meditative experience. Massage rooms: A lamp or two in the massage room will greatly enhance and create a soothing, relaxing, calming and refreshing environment. Natural Health Practitioners: A Salt Crystal Lamp glowing in your consulting or treating room assists the healing process and creates a calming environment. Psychiatrist: A lamp or two in the waiting room will create a relaxing and calming atmosphere. For the Office and Computer users: Place a Salt Crystal Lamp near your computer to reduce fatigue and EMF (electro magnetic pollution) created by office equipment. The lamp will also improve your concentration.
沿自喜瑪拉雅山的岩鹽燈，能殺菌、除塵、除臭、霉菌孢子、電子煙霧及許多其他污染物。鹽燈的原理 - 當燈泡亮起、鹽燈會暖起來，而鹽燈上的鹽結晶會吸引空氣上的水份。 鹽分子的離子結合會被分解，令鈉及氯離子釋放出來。 當兩粒原子分離，氯原子會吸收一個鈉原子的離子，令氯原子變成負極，亦令結晶周圍充滿負離子。 鹽燈的負離子會與空氣中的正離子結合，並互相抵消。 鹽燈跟空氣清新機相似，能殺菌、除塵、除臭、霉菌孢子、電子煙霧及許多其他污染物。 鹽燈可增加室內的負離子數量達300%。 益處 -
鹽燈不會弄污或惹塵。 鹽燈有助呼吸及睡眠。 鹽燈能點綴空間，柔和的燈光能製造寧靜詳和的氣氛，而清醒時亦令你更有活力、更集中及機敏。 很多有偏頭痛、過敏、哮喘、壓力及疲勞的人士使用鹽燈後，情況有所改善。
甚麼地方適用 – 家居: 於家裡放置鹽燈，如睡房、客廳等，能營造靜謐、舒適、放鬆、詳和的氣氛。 過敏人士：於附近置鹽燈即能令空氣清潔、清新。 瑜珈及冥想：靜坐時附近置一鹽燈，即能提升冥想體驗。 按摩房：放一兩盞鹽燈在按摩的地方，能營造放鬆、安寧、清新的環境。 天然療法醫師：放鹽燈在治療室，有助療癒過程及營造鎮靜環境。 精神病醫師：於候診室放一兩盞鹽燈，有助放鬆及鎮靜。 辦公室及使用電腦的人：置一鹽燈於電腦附近，能減低疲勞及各種電子用品帶來的電磁場污染，亦能提高專注力。
Kills bacteria and removes dust, allergens, smoke, odors, germs, electro-smog, mold spores and many other pollutantsHow the salt lamp works - When the lamp warms up, moisture in the air is attracted to the salt crystal and the crystal becomes moist. The ionic bonding of the salt molecule is disrupted resulting in the release of sodium and chlorine ions. When the two atoms are separated the chlorine atom takes an extra ion from the sodium atom, giving the chlorine atom a negative charge. This causes a field of ions to build around the crystal. The salt lamp emits negative ions that counter positive ions (pollutants) in the air. The negative ions emitted by your salt crystal lamp bind with the excessive positive ions. The positive and negative ions cancel each other out. Salt Lamps work in a similar manner to an air purifier: killing the bacteria and removing dust, allergens, smoke, odors, germs, electro-smog, mold spores and many other pollutants. SALT LAMPS CAN INCREASE THE NEGATIVE ION COUNT IN A ROOM BY 300%. Benefits -
Salt Lamps never get dirty or dusty. Salt Lamps help you breathe and sleep better. Salt Lamps are also a beautiful addition to any room décor and function as a perfect nightlight creating a soothing, tranquil atmosphere. When awake, we feel more energy, better concentration, and more alertness. Many people with migraines, allergies, asthma, stress, fatigue, and other problems notice results immediately after continued exposure to an ionized area created by these salt lamps.
Where to use the lamp – In the house: Use these lamps in bedrooms, living rooms hall ways or anywhere else where you want to create a tranquil, cozy, relaxing and serene atmosphere. Allergy Sufferers: A Salt Crystal Lamp in your vicinity will help your wellness and keep the air around you clean, ionized naturally, and beautifully. Use them for Yoga and meditation: When you repose in peace and quiet, a Salt Crystal lamp near you is known to enhance your meditative experience. Massage rooms: A lamp or two in the massage room will greatly enhance and create a soothing, relaxing, calming and refreshing environment. Natural Health Practitioners: A Salt Crystal Lamp glowing in your consulting or treating room assists the healing process and creates a calming environment. Psychiatrist: A lamp or two in the waiting room will create a relaxing and calming atmosphere. For the Office and Computer users: Place a Salt Crystal Lamp near your computer to reduce fatigue and EMF (electro magnetic pollution) created by office equipment. The lamp will also improve your concentration.
沿自喜瑪拉雅山的岩鹽燈，能殺菌、除塵、除臭、霉菌孢子、電子煙霧及許多其他污染物。鹽燈的原理 - 當燈泡亮起、鹽燈會暖起來，而鹽燈上的鹽結晶會吸引空氣上的水份。 鹽分子的離子結合會被分解，令鈉及氯離子釋放出來。 當兩粒原子分離，氯原子會吸收一個鈉原子的離子，令氯原子變成負極，亦令結晶周圍充滿負離子。 鹽燈的負離子會與空氣中的正離子結合，並互相抵消。 鹽燈跟空氣清新機相似，能殺菌、除塵、除臭、霉菌孢子、電子煙霧及許多其他污染物。 鹽燈可增加室內的負離子數量達300%。 益處 -
鹽燈不會弄污或惹塵。 鹽燈有助呼吸及睡眠。 鹽燈能點綴空間，柔和的燈光能製造寧靜詳和的氣氛，而清醒時亦令你更有活力、更集中及機敏。 很多有偏頭痛、過敏、哮喘、壓力及疲勞的人士使用鹽燈後，情況有所改善。
甚麼地方適用 – 家居: 於家裡放置鹽燈，如睡房、客廳等，能營造靜謐、舒適、放鬆、詳和的氣氛。 過敏人士：於附近置鹽燈即能令空氣清潔、清新。 瑜珈及冥想：靜坐時附近置一鹽燈，即能提升冥想體驗。 按摩房：放一兩盞鹽燈在按摩的地方，能營造放鬆、安寧、清新的環境。 天然療法醫師：放鹽燈在治療室，有助療癒過程及營造鎮靜環境。 精神病醫師：於候診室放一兩盞鹽燈，有助放鬆及鎮靜。 辦公室及使用電腦的人：置一鹽燈於電腦附近，能減低疲勞及各種電子用品帶來的電磁場污染，亦能提高專注力。
General 概論
1. What is allergy? An allergy is an inappropriate response by the body's immune system to a vegetable or animal substance that is normally not harmful. Substances which cause the body to react is called allergens. The most common allergens include pollen, animal fur, dust and foods such as strawberries, dairy products, wheat, egg and shellfish. When an allergen enters a body of an allergic person, the body produces antibodies to help defend itself which are designed to neutralize the allergen. It is the reaction between the allergen and the antibodies which then produces the symptoms of an allergic reaction. The main symptoms of an allergy include watery eyes, nasal congestion, wheezing, itching, headaches and skin rashes. No one knows why some people are allergic to particular substances but allergies are probably influenced by genetic, emotional, physical and environmental factors. Common diseases associated with allergies or with a malfunctioning immune system are food allergies, arthritis, eczema, asthma, diabetes, hay fever, inflammatory bowel disease, infections and hives.2. What are food allergies and food intolerance?For centuries it has been known that consumption of certain reactive foods can have profound effects on physical and mental health. Foods are one. Of the most common causes of allergies, but there is often confusion as to whether you are suffering from a food allergy or food intolerance. Food intolerance is defined as an abnormal physiological response to an ingested food or food additive which is not proven to be immunological in nature. A person with a food intolerance cannot process or digest that food correctly, often due to a lack of certain enzyme. Symptoms of food intolerance include fatigue, bloating, headache, depression and nausea. The reaction to food intolerance can be a latent one, i.e. the symptoms may only appear hours or even days after taking the concerned food. Food allergy is defined as an immunological reaction resulting from the ingestion of a food or food additive. The symptoms of a food allergy include skin rashes, nasal congestion and in severe cases anaphylactic shock. An allergic reaction tends to be more severe and is quite rare and may occur after only a small amount of the food has been ingested and it is unrelated to any physiological effect of the food or additive. 3. How can allergy be treated and what is an elimination diet? The easiest way of treating food allergies and intolerances is to avoid the foods that are causing the problems. This can be achieved by using an elimination diet. An elimination diet has two main points. The first is called the exclusion phase in which any food which might be causing the allergy is avoided. If the symptoms do disappear, the next stage is to reintroduce foods, one at a time, to discover which ones produce the symptoms. This is known as the reintroduction phase. Foods which often cause allergic reactions and therefore should be avoided include: * Dairy products such as milk and cheese* Cereals such as wheat. These foods are often found as components of many processed foods.* Gluten ( a protein found in cereals such as wheat, rye, oats and barley).This allergy is known as coeliac disease and sufferers must avoid all foods which contain gluten.* shellfish* nuts* strawberriesIt has also been widely documented that by avoiding certain foods that may cause allergy, the conditions of eczema, asthma and arthritis and other immune disorder-related problems may improve significantly. 4. How can supplements help combat allergy ?Taking appropriate supplements to boost the immune system is also a good way to reduce allergies/intolerances. For example, most eczema sufferers are unable to process fatty acids normally, which can lead to low levels or a deficiency of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA). GLA is found in Evening Primrose oil, Starflower oil and blackcurrant seed oil. GLA helps to control the immune system and therefore allergic responses. Fish oils are also an important source of the essential fatty acids. Vitamin A and zinc are also two other important skin nutrients. Vitamin A is critical to the proper development and maintenance of the skin and zinc aids healing and enhances immune function. Last but not least, chemicals and detergents found in many household products can irritate the skin and worsen the eczema. Sufferers should always use sensitive skin products.5. What other treatments are available ?There are also other alternative treatment which is getting increased acceptance, for example, homeopathy, Namburdripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET)which is a drug free, non-intrusive way of treating allergies. 6. How can I find out which food I am allergic to?Food intolerance is particularly difficult to investigate because the symptoms are separated in time from consumption of the food. The symptoms often persists for decades and patients often report that multiple visits to their doctor have not resolved the problems. It is now possible to have a food allergy test--- the more reliable one is Food IgG ELISA Test (Enzyme Immunoassay method for IgG antibody detection). By taking a small blood sample, over 90 commonly encountered foods can be tested against the sample. Usually the results can be obtained in a month's time.1. 甚麼是過敏症? 過敏症是身體免疫系統對某種植物或動物的正常和無害物質的一種不恰當反應。引起身體反應的物質稱為致敏原。最普遍的致敏原包括：花粉、動物毛、塵埃及食物，好像草莓、乳製品、小麥、蛋及貝殼類食物等。當某種致敏原進入一個過敏症患者的身體，身體便會產生抗體去保護自己，目的是將致敏原中和。正是由於致敏原和抗體之間的這種關係，產生出各種過敏反應。過敏症的主要症狀包括：流眼水、鼻塞、喘氣、痕癢、頭痛及紅疹。沒有人知道為何有些人會對某種物質過敏，個中原因也許是基因、情緒、體質或環境因素的影響。一般與過敏或免疫功能失調有關的疾病是食物敏感、關節炎、哮喘、糖尿病、花粉過敏、腸胃炎、感染和痳疹等。2. 甚麼是食物過敏和食物不耐性?多個世紀以來人們都知道進食有某種反應的食物，可能會對身體和精神健康做成深遠的影響。食物是其中一個引發過敏的常見原因，不過，人們通常弄不清楚自己到底是患上食物過敏症還是食物不耐性？食物不耐性的定義是指對吃下了的食物或食物添加劑產生不正常的生理反應，這在本質上未證實與免疫系統有關。食物不耐性患者通常是由於缺乏某種酵素，以致無法正常消化處理某種食物。病徵包括：疲倦、浮腫、頭痛、情緒低落及噁心。患者對食物的反應可能是潛在性，例如徵狀可能在吃下食物後的數小時以至數天之後才出現。食物過敏則被定義為身體的免疫功能對吃下了的食物或食物添加劑出現反應。食物過敏的徵狀包括：皮膚紅疹、鼻塞，嚴重的更可導致休克。食物過敏的嚴重性可謂更大，不過較為罕見，患者即使只進食了少量的食物也會發病，其原因與食物或食物添加劑的生理影響無關。3. 如何治理過敏症及甚麼是清除性的飲食? 對付食物過敏症最簡單的方法是避免進食會引起過敏的食物，方法是採取清除性的飲食。所謂清除性的飲食包括兩項要點，首先是回避的階段，避免進食任何會引致過敏的食物。假如過敏病徵就此消失，下一步便是逐步吃回先前避免的食物，每次只限一樣，從而發現到底是甚麼食物引發過敏；這被稱為回溯的階段。患者應該避免那些經常會引起過敏的食物，包括: *乳製品好像牛奶和芝士*穀物好像麥。很多加工食物都含有這些食物成份*谷膠(一種存在於穀物中的蛋白質，好像小麥、黑麥、燕麥和大麥都含有) 有一種稱為乳糜瀉的過敏症，患者必須避免進食任何含有穀膠的食物，包括:*貝殼類*堅果*草莓有很多文獻提出透過避免進食某類引致過敏的食物，很多病症的患者都會有所改善，好像濕疹、哮喘、關節炎及其它免疫功能失調有關的問題等。4. 補充劑如何有助對抗過敏症?進食適當的補充劑去增強免疫系統是有效的途徑去減輕過敏或不耐性。舉例來說，大部份濕疹患者都無法正常地處理脂肪，以至體內的酸伽瑪亞油酸(GLA)水平偏低或不足。GLA存在於待宵草油、七瓣蓮油、及黑加侖子的籽油中。GLA有助調節免疫系統從而控制過敏反應。魚油是必需脂肪酸的一個重要來源。維生素A 和鋅酸是另外兩種重要的皮膚營養成份。維生素A對皮膚的健康發展和保持良好狀態至為重要，而鋅酸則發揮治療及促進免疫功能的作用。最後，很多家居使用的化學品和清潔劑都會刺激皮膚及使濕疹情況惡化。故患者須小心使用皮膚用品。5. 有沒有其他治療方法?有一些另類治療方法正愈來愈多人採用，例如順勢治療法，Namburdripad 的過敏杜絕方法(NAET)是一種毋須藥物、不干擾式的過敏治療方法。6. 怎樣可以找出令我過敏的食物?食物不耐性是甚難偵測的，原因是進食後可能相隔一段時間才出現病徵。患者的症狀通常持續數十年，期間多次看醫生仍無法將問題解決。現在已有食物過敏的測試 - 較常使用的是食物與免疫球蛋白抗體測試(Food IgG ELISA Test)。通過抽取小量的血液樣本，可以驗測出對90種常見食物會否過敏，通常可以在一個月內知道結果。
Food allergy and intolerances 食物過敏與不耐性
1. What are the differences between allergy and intolerances ?The term allergy was first coined by Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet who put together two Greek words, allo (other) and ergon (work or action). An allergic person reacts to substances that don't bother other people. Our immune system defends us against unseen enemies such as bacteria and viruses, but sometimes has difficulty in distinguishing friend from enemy and may overreact to a totally harmless substance like egg, strawberry as in food; grass pollen as in air, causing sudden reactions ranging from rashes, swollen lips...... to the very extreme life threatening one called anaphylactic shock causing by peanut. This is an example of immediate type allergy where specific antibodies have developed in the blood and tests can be useful in identifying the specific allergens. This type of immediate allergy affects smaller number of people. Another type of "allergy" is a delayed reaction which may occur several hours or days after exposure or ingestion. They are called "intolerances" and food intolerances are quite common. It is when you develop symptoms after eating a food that the digestive system cannot adequately process. The symptoms will be less severe and serious, but they can undermine health and well-being. A food intolerance often tends to be to the foods we most commonly eat. In fact, we may find we crave the foods that we are intolerant to. 2. What causes allergy and why there seems to be an "allergy epidemic"?Many believe that the genetic profile of a person plays an important role in determining whether he or she may have allergy. It is indeed true that a child with a parent having asthma has a higher chance of getting asthma and the same applies to other common types of allergies such as eczema. We always hear from people that allergies run in families. Another explanation is the rapid introduction of various new chemicals to the environment and the changes which have taken place in the diet over the last hundred years which are the culprits responsible for provoking symptoms of allergy or intolerance, especially in susceptible persons who are genetically more vulnerable. Adaptation to change in the environment is the force that has driven the evolution of all species throughout the ages, and it is supposed to be gradual and slow. Rapid introduction of a new food and contamination of our environment by new chemicals may not give sufficient time for adaptation to occur, resulting in a dramatic rise in allergy and intolerance.
3. Despite the common incidence of allergy,why allergy does not seem to receive much attention in mainstream medicine?Adaptation of our body to environmental changes requires an efficient functioning of our body system. Imagine our body is a textile factory with different machines (such as immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, circulatory system......). All these specialized machines (systems) work as a team and our body can only be maintained in a stable state by the complex interplay of these body systems. Complete failure of an essential system may lead to death and partial failure may lead to specific illness in certain parts of the body system which can be suppressed by modern medication. Advances in knowledge of how these body systems function has inevitably resulted in increasing specialization, which unfortunately has also tended to create boundaries between specialties. Allergy is usually linked to the failure of our immune system but the symptoms may manifest from fatigue, rashes, weepy eyes, respiratory problems to significant mood swing, depression......Modern medicine tended to look at symptoms occurred in a particular system and allergy is regarded as trivial and psychological. There is increased belief that not until accurate diagnosis of the causes, avoidances and immunotherapy of a childhood allergy/intolerance are taken more seriously, the rise in allergy will continue.
1. 食物過敏與不耐性有甚麼分別 ?過敏(Allergy)這個詞最先由奧地利的小兒科醫生Clemens von Pirquet發明，他將兩個希臘字allo(其他)和ergon(工作或行動)湊併而成。過敏患者對某些其他人沒有反應的物質過敏。我們的免疫系統保護我們免受一些看不到的敵人侵害，好像細菌和病毒，但有時卻敵友不分，對無害的物質例如食物中的蛋、草莓、空氣中的花粉等反應過激，出現突發性的不同程度的過敏反應，好像紅疹、唇腫…甚至由花生引致的過敏休克更會足以致命。這是某種抗體在血液中產生而引起的立刻性過敏的例子，通過測試可分辨出相關的過敏原。甚少人會有這種立刻性過敏症。另一類是產生慢性反應的過敏，可以在接觸或進食致敏原後的數小時以至數天才出現。它應被稱為「不耐性」，而食物不耐性其實是十分普遍的情況。這是因為你進食了一些自身消化系統無法正常處理的食物而出現的症狀。它引發的病徵不會很嚴重，但會損害身體和精神上的健康。引致食物不耐性的食物通常都是那些我們經常進食的食物。實際上，你會發現那些會令我們產生不耐性的食物，通常都是我們渴望的食物。2. 是甚麼引致過敏，為何現時好像出現了「過敏症疫潮」?很多人相信一個人的遺傳基因是決定他會否患上過敏症的重要因素。要是小孩的父母有哮喘病，他亦真的有較大機會患上哮喘，同一道理亦適用於其他類型的過敏症好像濕疹等，所以我們經常會聽到有人說一家人都有過敏症。另一個可能性原因是，近年在我們的周圍出現了各種日新月異的化學品，而我們的飲食模式在過去一百年來亦出現了不少變化，這些因素都是誘發過敏症和不耐性的原凶，尤其對那些擁有遺傳基因不利因素的人們，其影響更甚。適應環境是自古以來促成所有物種不斷演化的力量，但改變應該是緩慢和循序漸進的。急速地引入新食物，以新發明的化學品去污染環境，未能讓我們有足夠的時間去適應，故此造過敏和不耐性急劇增加。3. 儘管過敏症非常普遍，為甚麼主流醫學似乎對它不大關注?我們需要有效的身體功能運作才能適應環境的改變。試想如果我們的身體是一家紡織廠，內裏有不同的機器(例如：免疫系統、內分泌系統、神經系統、循環系統… 等)。所有這些特別的機器(系統)都要合作無間，而我們的身體只能在這些身體系統相互穩定地操作的情況下，始能保持良好的狀態。假如一個重要系統完全無法運作便令我們死亡，即使只是部份失靈亦會令我們患上某種疾病，須賴現代醫藥去抑制這些疾病。預知這些人體功能系統如何運作在醫學上衍生出不同專業的醫學範圍，不幸地這亦造成了醫學專業間的鴻溝。過敏症通常與免疫系統有關，但它表現出來的病徵卻是疲倦、紅疹、流眼水、呼吸系統問題，以至情緒波動和抑鬱…等。現代醫學傾向於診治病徵出現的部位而認為過敏是無關重要和心理因素所致。但愈來愈多人相信，如果不正視兒童過敏症/不耐症的源頭、致敏原和採取免疫療法，過敏症的上升趨勢只會持續上升。
3. Despite the common incidence of allergy,why allergy does not seem to receive much attention in mainstream medicine?Adaptation of our body to environmental changes requires an efficient functioning of our body system. Imagine our body is a textile factory with different machines (such as immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, circulatory system......). All these specialized machines (systems) work as a team and our body can only be maintained in a stable state by the complex interplay of these body systems. Complete failure of an essential system may lead to death and partial failure may lead to specific illness in certain parts of the body system which can be suppressed by modern medication. Advances in knowledge of how these body systems function has inevitably resulted in increasing specialization, which unfortunately has also tended to create boundaries between specialties. Allergy is usually linked to the failure of our immune system but the symptoms may manifest from fatigue, rashes, weepy eyes, respiratory problems to significant mood swing, depression......Modern medicine tended to look at symptoms occurred in a particular system and allergy is regarded as trivial and psychological. There is increased belief that not until accurate diagnosis of the causes, avoidances and immunotherapy of a childhood allergy/intolerance are taken more seriously, the rise in allergy will continue.
1. 食物過敏與不耐性有甚麼分別 ?過敏(Allergy)這個詞最先由奧地利的小兒科醫生Clemens von Pirquet發明，他將兩個希臘字allo(其他)和ergon(工作或行動)湊併而成。過敏患者對某些其他人沒有反應的物質過敏。我們的免疫系統保護我們免受一些看不到的敵人侵害，好像細菌和病毒，但有時卻敵友不分，對無害的物質例如食物中的蛋、草莓、空氣中的花粉等反應過激，出現突發性的不同程度的過敏反應，好像紅疹、唇腫…甚至由花生引致的過敏休克更會足以致命。這是某種抗體在血液中產生而引起的立刻性過敏的例子，通過測試可分辨出相關的過敏原。甚少人會有這種立刻性過敏症。另一類是產生慢性反應的過敏，可以在接觸或進食致敏原後的數小時以至數天才出現。它應被稱為「不耐性」，而食物不耐性其實是十分普遍的情況。這是因為你進食了一些自身消化系統無法正常處理的食物而出現的症狀。它引發的病徵不會很嚴重，但會損害身體和精神上的健康。引致食物不耐性的食物通常都是那些我們經常進食的食物。實際上，你會發現那些會令我們產生不耐性的食物，通常都是我們渴望的食物。2. 是甚麼引致過敏，為何現時好像出現了「過敏症疫潮」?很多人相信一個人的遺傳基因是決定他會否患上過敏症的重要因素。要是小孩的父母有哮喘病，他亦真的有較大機會患上哮喘，同一道理亦適用於其他類型的過敏症好像濕疹等，所以我們經常會聽到有人說一家人都有過敏症。另一個可能性原因是，近年在我們的周圍出現了各種日新月異的化學品，而我們的飲食模式在過去一百年來亦出現了不少變化，這些因素都是誘發過敏症和不耐性的原凶，尤其對那些擁有遺傳基因不利因素的人們，其影響更甚。適應環境是自古以來促成所有物種不斷演化的力量，但改變應該是緩慢和循序漸進的。急速地引入新食物，以新發明的化學品去污染環境，未能讓我們有足夠的時間去適應，故此造過敏和不耐性急劇增加。3. 儘管過敏症非常普遍，為甚麼主流醫學似乎對它不大關注?我們需要有效的身體功能運作才能適應環境的改變。試想如果我們的身體是一家紡織廠，內裏有不同的機器(例如：免疫系統、內分泌系統、神經系統、循環系統… 等)。所有這些特別的機器(系統)都要合作無間，而我們的身體只能在這些身體系統相互穩定地操作的情況下，始能保持良好的狀態。假如一個重要系統完全無法運作便令我們死亡，即使只是部份失靈亦會令我們患上某種疾病，須賴現代醫藥去抑制這些疾病。預知這些人體功能系統如何運作在醫學上衍生出不同專業的醫學範圍，不幸地這亦造成了醫學專業間的鴻溝。過敏症通常與免疫系統有關，但它表現出來的病徵卻是疲倦、紅疹、流眼水、呼吸系統問題，以至情緒波動和抑鬱…等。現代醫學傾向於診治病徵出現的部位而認為過敏是無關重要和心理因素所致。但愈來愈多人相信，如果不正視兒童過敏症/不耐症的源頭、致敏原和採取免疫療法，過敏症的上升趨勢只會持續上升。
Eczema 濕疹
1. What is eczema?Eczema is an intensely itchy, inflammatory skin condition, it is usually found on the face, wrists and insides of the elbows and knees. The skin becomes reddened, dry and thickened and it can weep and become crusted. Eczema is a very common condition, which affects 5-7% of the population. Even though it can occur at any age, it is most common in infants and young children. Often, eczema is the result of an allergic reaction, especially in children. Atopic eczema is a hereditary condition which often develops in young infants with a family history of allergies or asthma. 2. What causes eczema?There is no single cause of eczema, but generally people with eczema have skin that is more sensitive to certain ‘triggers’. The skin reacts against the ‘trigger’, and this causes the symptoms, which typically include itchiness, dryness, redness and inflammation. Eczema tends to run in families and the problem occurs because of particular changes in certain genes, although the full details of these genes are still not known.3. Can eczema be prevented?If you can identify something that triggers your eczema, then you should try to. However, the tendency to develop eczema is in-born. However, many children grow out of eczema, and in other cases eczema suddenly becomes worse for unknown reasons. There is still much that is not known about eczema. 4. What is the treatment for eczema?
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Keeping the skin moist by using emollient (medical moisturizers) and barrier creams may be sufficient to control some mild cases.
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Using steroid cream on advice of doctors can calm itchy and swollen red skin but prolonged use may lead to permanent change to the skin such as thinning of the skin and stretch marks
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Using antibiotics or antiseptics to treat infected skin but frequent use may render it ineffective.
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Other new medicines being developed such as topical immunomodulators which are steroid free help relieve itching,redness and swelling. Others such as antihistamines, wet wrap, UV light treatment.etc.5. Will my child grow out of their eczema?Not every child grows out of its eczema, but the majority does. By the time they reach their teens, 60-70% of children who suffered from eczema are virtually clear. 6. Is eczema contagious?No, eczema is not contagious. It is caused by underlying immune activity affecting the skin, not by a bacteria or virus. Could changing my diet cure my eczema?Eczema often is caused by allergens. All major allergens should be identified and eliminated from the diet. For some people, eczema may be linked to something in their diet, but there are many other potential triggers apart from diet. It is worth trying to notice if any particular food makes your eczema worse, and trying to avoid that food if possible. Research indicated that by eliminating cow’s milk, eggs, artificial colors and preservatives could help some children. Chemical and detergents found in many household products can irritate the skin and worsen the eczema. Sufferers should try to use sensitive skin products whenever possible. 7. Are there any 'natural' creams to treat eczema?The data on natural and homeopathic treatments tends to be limited. Talk to your doctor before using any alternative therapy for eczema. Several herbal remedies have traditionally been used to treat eczema are Burdock root, Sarsaparilla and Clover.1. 甚麼是濕疹?濕疹是皮膚頻密地痕癢和發炎，它通常出現在面部、手腕，手肘和膝蓋的內側。皮膚會變紅、乾燥和變厚，更可能滲出液體和爆裂。濕疹非常普遍，約5-7%的人是患者。雖然任何年齡的人也有機會患上濕疹，但以嬰兒和兒童患者最為常見。很多情況下，濕疹是過敏反應所致，尤其是出現在兒童身上的情況。特異性濕疹是一種遺傳性疾病，通常出現在家族有過敏或哮喘病歷的幼嬰身上。2. 濕疹的成因是甚麼?濕疹並沒有一個特定的成因，但一般來說濕疹患者的皮膚會對某類物質比較敏感，皮膚因為要對抗這些物質，因而引發濕疹，病徵包括：痕癢、乾燥、變紅和發炎。濕疹通常會在家庭成員中同時出現，原因是基因中出現了某些變化，儘管仍未能完全清楚瞭解這些基因的詳情。3. 濕疹可否避免?如果你能找出引發自己出現濕疹的物質，便可嘗試避免濕疹。但是，濕疹患病傾向是天生的。不過，很多兒童能克服濕疹，卻有一些例子是濕疹突然惡化而原因不明。迄今仍有很多未曾解開的濕疹疑團。4. 有甚麼方法治療濕疹?
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塗潤膚膏和防護脂來保持皮膚濕潤(藥用潤滑劑)，可能有效控制某些輕微的病症
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遵從醫生的建議使用類固醇藥膏，可以減輕皮膚的痕癢和紅腫現象，但持續使用可能對皮膚造成永久性的損害，好像皮膚變薄和出現橙皮紋
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使用抗生素和消毒劑去治療受感染的皮膚，但不斷重複使用會令藥物失去療效
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其他正在開發的新藥物好像局部免疫調節藥物，它不含類固醇，有助舒緩痕癢和紅腫。此外，尚有抗組織胺藥、濕裹和紫外線照射治療等。5. 我的小孩可以從濕疹中痊癒嗎?不是每一個患濕疹的小孩都可以痊癒，但大部份都可以。隨著孩子成長，60-70%的小孩都可以痊癒。6. 濕疹會傳染嗎?濕疹是不會傳染的。這是由於內在的免疫功能活躍地影響著皮膚，而非細菌或病毒所致。改變飲食習慣可以治好我的濕疹嗎?濕疹通常是由致敏原引起的。要找出所有致敏原並在日常飲食中將之剔除。對某些人來說，濕疹可能與他們的飲食有關，其實在食物以外亦存有很多潛在的致敏原。無論如何，嘗試找出是否有某種食物會令自己的濕疹惡化，然後儘量避免，仍然是值得一試的做法。研究指出，避免進食牛奶、雞蛋、人造色素及醃制食品，對某些患濕疹的兒童有正面的幫助。很多家居常用的化學品和消毒劑都會刺激皮膚及令濕疹惡化。患者應儘量採用為敏感性皮膚而設的用品。7. 有沒有天然的軟膏可以治療濕疹?有關天然和順勢療法的資料很少。應先諮詢你的醫生才可使用另類的濕疹治療法。幾種傳統用以治療濕疹的草藥包括牛蒡根、菝?和紅花草等。
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Keeping the skin moist by using emollient (medical moisturizers) and barrier creams may be sufficient to control some mild cases.
-
Using steroid cream on advice of doctors can calm itchy and swollen red skin but prolonged use may lead to permanent change to the skin such as thinning of the skin and stretch marks
-
Using antibiotics or antiseptics to treat infected skin but frequent use may render it ineffective.
-
Other new medicines being developed such as topical immunomodulators which are steroid free help relieve itching,redness and swelling. Others such as antihistamines, wet wrap, UV light treatment.etc.5. Will my child grow out of their eczema?Not every child grows out of its eczema, but the majority does. By the time they reach their teens, 60-70% of children who suffered from eczema are virtually clear. 6. Is eczema contagious?No, eczema is not contagious. It is caused by underlying immune activity affecting the skin, not by a bacteria or virus. Could changing my diet cure my eczema?Eczema often is caused by allergens. All major allergens should be identified and eliminated from the diet. For some people, eczema may be linked to something in their diet, but there are many other potential triggers apart from diet. It is worth trying to notice if any particular food makes your eczema worse, and trying to avoid that food if possible. Research indicated that by eliminating cow’s milk, eggs, artificial colors and preservatives could help some children. Chemical and detergents found in many household products can irritate the skin and worsen the eczema. Sufferers should try to use sensitive skin products whenever possible. 7. Are there any 'natural' creams to treat eczema?The data on natural and homeopathic treatments tends to be limited. Talk to your doctor before using any alternative therapy for eczema. Several herbal remedies have traditionally been used to treat eczema are Burdock root, Sarsaparilla and Clover.1. 甚麼是濕疹?濕疹是皮膚頻密地痕癢和發炎，它通常出現在面部、手腕，手肘和膝蓋的內側。皮膚會變紅、乾燥和變厚，更可能滲出液體和爆裂。濕疹非常普遍，約5-7%的人是患者。雖然任何年齡的人也有機會患上濕疹，但以嬰兒和兒童患者最為常見。很多情況下，濕疹是過敏反應所致，尤其是出現在兒童身上的情況。特異性濕疹是一種遺傳性疾病，通常出現在家族有過敏或哮喘病歷的幼嬰身上。2. 濕疹的成因是甚麼?濕疹並沒有一個特定的成因，但一般來說濕疹患者的皮膚會對某類物質比較敏感，皮膚因為要對抗這些物質，因而引發濕疹，病徵包括：痕癢、乾燥、變紅和發炎。濕疹通常會在家庭成員中同時出現，原因是基因中出現了某些變化，儘管仍未能完全清楚瞭解這些基因的詳情。3. 濕疹可否避免?如果你能找出引發自己出現濕疹的物質，便可嘗試避免濕疹。但是，濕疹患病傾向是天生的。不過，很多兒童能克服濕疹，卻有一些例子是濕疹突然惡化而原因不明。迄今仍有很多未曾解開的濕疹疑團。4. 有甚麼方法治療濕疹?
-
塗潤膚膏和防護脂來保持皮膚濕潤(藥用潤滑劑)，可能有效控制某些輕微的病症
-
遵從醫生的建議使用類固醇藥膏，可以減輕皮膚的痕癢和紅腫現象，但持續使用可能對皮膚造成永久性的損害，好像皮膚變薄和出現橙皮紋
-
使用抗生素和消毒劑去治療受感染的皮膚，但不斷重複使用會令藥物失去療效
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其他正在開發的新藥物好像局部免疫調節藥物，它不含類固醇，有助舒緩痕癢和紅腫。此外，尚有抗組織胺藥、濕裹和紫外線照射治療等。5. 我的小孩可以從濕疹中痊癒嗎?不是每一個患濕疹的小孩都可以痊癒，但大部份都可以。隨著孩子成長，60-70%的小孩都可以痊癒。6. 濕疹會傳染嗎?濕疹是不會傳染的。這是由於內在的免疫功能活躍地影響著皮膚，而非細菌或病毒所致。改變飲食習慣可以治好我的濕疹嗎?濕疹通常是由致敏原引起的。要找出所有致敏原並在日常飲食中將之剔除。對某些人來說，濕疹可能與他們的飲食有關，其實在食物以外亦存有很多潛在的致敏原。無論如何，嘗試找出是否有某種食物會令自己的濕疹惡化，然後儘量避免，仍然是值得一試的做法。研究指出，避免進食牛奶、雞蛋、人造色素及醃制食品，對某些患濕疹的兒童有正面的幫助。很多家居常用的化學品和消毒劑都會刺激皮膚及令濕疹惡化。患者應儘量採用為敏感性皮膚而設的用品。7. 有沒有天然的軟膏可以治療濕疹?有關天然和順勢療法的資料很少。應先諮詢你的醫生才可使用另類的濕疹治療法。幾種傳統用以治療濕疹的草藥包括牛蒡根、菝?和紅花草等。
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis 肌痛腦脊髓炎
1. What is myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) ? M.E. was first identified in 1956 following epidemic outbreaks although the definition at that time was very loose. The main symptoms are: severe fatigue caused by trivially small exertion (physical or mental), short-term memory and concentration loss, disturbed sleep and other neurological and psychological disturbance. Many people with ME also develop intolerances to a number of foods. A holistic approach including nutritional advice will usually help.1. 甚麼是肌痛腦脊髓炎 (ME) ? 隨著一個傳染病的爆發，肌痛腦脊髓炎於1956年始為人識，儘管當時對這種病仍無明確的定義。肌痛腦脊髓炎的病徵是：小許活動便極度疲倦(肉體和精神上)，喪失短期記憶力和集中能力。很多肌痛腦脊髓炎患者都同時對多種食物呈現不耐性。一個有步驟的計畫包括營養建議通常會有幫助。
Antibiotics - long-term changes in the bacterial population of the human gut
Antibiotics can cause long-term changes in the bacterial population of the human gut 抗生素對人類腸道菌落的長期影響
Using a sophisticated novel technique, scientists at the Marine
Biological Laboratory at the Josephine Bay Paul Center in Massachusetts, have completed the most precise survey to date of how microbial communities in the human gut respond to antibiotic treatment.
Using very conservative criteria, the scientists identified at least 3,300 to 5,700 genetically distinct types of bacteria in the human distal gut, and antibiotic treatment influenced the abundance of about a third of them.
Antibiotic treatment caused shifts in the structure of the microbial community. Some bacteria that were in low abundance prior to treatment became more abundant, and bacteria that were dominant decreased in abundance.
Some of these shifts can be persistent; some individuals may recover quickly, and others won't recover for many months.
In all the individuals tested in the study, the bacterial community recovered and closely resembled its pre-treatment state within four weeks after the antibiotic course ended, although several types of bacteria failed to recover within six months.
This raises questions about the health effects of the changes to the bacterial population of the gut, which may occur with antibiotic treatment.
Previous studies have related changes in the bacterial population of the gut to cancer and obesity so changes in this population could have important, but as yet undiscovered, health effects.
More at http://tinyurl.com/csnhh3
Nov 18 issue of PloS Biology via JS
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Using a sophisticated novel technique, scientists at the Marine
Biological Laboratory at the Josephine Bay Paul Center in Massachusetts, have completed the most precise survey to date of how microbial communities in the human gut respond to antibiotic treatment.
Using very conservative criteria, the scientists identified at least 3,300 to 5,700 genetically distinct types of bacteria in the human distal gut, and antibiotic treatment influenced the abundance of about a third of them.
Antibiotic treatment caused shifts in the structure of the microbial community. Some bacteria that were in low abundance prior to treatment became more abundant, and bacteria that were dominant decreased in abundance.
Some of these shifts can be persistent; some individuals may recover quickly, and others won't recover for many months.
In all the individuals tested in the study, the bacterial community recovered and closely resembled its pre-treatment state within four weeks after the antibiotic course ended, although several types of bacteria failed to recover within six months.
This raises questions about the health effects of the changes to the bacterial population of the gut, which may occur with antibiotic treatment.
Previous studies have related changes in the bacterial population of the gut to cancer and obesity so changes in this population could have important, but as yet undiscovered, health effects.
More at http://tinyurl.com/csnhh3
Nov 18 issue of PloS Biology via JS
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Coeliac disease and B vitamins 腹腔炎/ 穀膠不耐症及維他命B的關係
Coeliac disease and B vitamins
Coeliac disease is a typical example of a malabsorption syndrome which significantly raises the risk of deficiency, including that of folate and vitamin B12, which results in high levels of homocysteine in newly diagnosed coeliacs.
In a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in February, the VUmc University Medical Centre in the Netherlands found that daily supplements of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 daily had a significant effect on homocysteine levels.
The study reinforces earlier findings that coeliac disease, and its severity, had a marked effect on homocysteine levels and that the regular use of B vitamin supplements resulted in higher vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12, and lower plasma homocysteine levels.
For the full research report http://tinyurl.com/atfncp
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Little Giant 專為穀膠不耐症人士而設，貨品完全不含小麥、穀膠、牛奶等，受coeliac問題困擾的人士也可食用。
Coeliac disease is a typical example of a malabsorption syndrome which significantly raises the risk of deficiency, including that of folate and vitamin B12, which results in high levels of homocysteine in newly diagnosed coeliacs.
In a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in February, the VUmc University Medical Centre in the Netherlands found that daily supplements of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 daily had a significant effect on homocysteine levels.
The study reinforces earlier findings that coeliac disease, and its severity, had a marked effect on homocysteine levels and that the regular use of B vitamin supplements resulted in higher vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12, and lower plasma homocysteine levels.
For the full research report http://tinyurl.com/atfncp
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Little Giant 專為穀膠不耐症人士而設，貨品完全不含小麥、穀膠、牛奶等，受coeliac問題困擾的人士也可食用。
Childhood constipation as serious as asthma or ADHD 兒童便秘
Childhood constipation as serious as asthma or ADHD
兒童便秘跟哮喘及過動症一樣嚴重
Having studied data on children under 18 who were diagnosed with constipation or prescribed a laxative over two consecutive years (2003 and 2004), researchers at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital at Ohio State University suggest that the burden of illness in children suffering from constipation, and the costs associated with this condition, are roughly of the same magnitude as those for asthma and ADHD, but that constipation does not receive anywhere as much attention in public health campaigns.
Despite being considered by many a relatively benign condition the day-to-day struggle caused by constipation can often be emotionally devastating, and can impact on the overall health and well-being of affected children and their families.
One in four children will have constipation at some point, caused by a number of things such as not eating enough fibre or fruit and vegetables, not wanting to use unfamiliar toilets and ignoring the urge to go while playing.
Parents should talk to their children about their toilet habits and make sure they are having a bowel movement at least every other day.
For mild cases of constipation, prune or apple juice, high-fibre cereal, or over-thecounter softeners or laxatives made for children may help.
If the problem persists, parents should seek the advice of a doctor.
The study is to be published in the Journal of Pediatrics in early 2009
More at http://tinyurl.com/5uzysl
via JS
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Little Giant: The best way to cope with constipation is intake of
1. fibre e.g. pysllium husk, cellulose, bran;
2. probiotics e.g. Klaire Labs probiotics - one of the few dairy free, hypoallergenic probiotics in the world;
3. MAGNESIUM CITRATE. You are almost sure to have bowel movement in 2-8 hours after taking magnesium citrate. IT WORKS!
兒童便秘跟哮喘及過動症一樣嚴重
Having studied data on children under 18 who were diagnosed with constipation or prescribed a laxative over two consecutive years (2003 and 2004), researchers at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital at Ohio State University suggest that the burden of illness in children suffering from constipation, and the costs associated with this condition, are roughly of the same magnitude as those for asthma and ADHD, but that constipation does not receive anywhere as much attention in public health campaigns.
Despite being considered by many a relatively benign condition the day-to-day struggle caused by constipation can often be emotionally devastating, and can impact on the overall health and well-being of affected children and their families.
One in four children will have constipation at some point, caused by a number of things such as not eating enough fibre or fruit and vegetables, not wanting to use unfamiliar toilets and ignoring the urge to go while playing.
Parents should talk to their children about their toilet habits and make sure they are having a bowel movement at least every other day.
For mild cases of constipation, prune or apple juice, high-fibre cereal, or over-thecounter softeners or laxatives made for children may help.
If the problem persists, parents should seek the advice of a doctor.
The study is to be published in the Journal of Pediatrics in early 2009
More at http://tinyurl.com/5uzysl
via JS
(Source: FoodsMatter)
Little Giant: The best way to cope with constipation is intake of
1. fibre e.g. pysllium husk, cellulose, bran;
2. probiotics e.g. Klaire Labs probiotics - one of the few dairy free, hypoallergenic probiotics in the world;
3. MAGNESIUM CITRATE. You are almost sure to have bowel movement in 2-8 hours after taking magnesium citrate. IT WORKS!
Gluten intolerance and migraines 偏頭痛與穀膠不耐症的關係
Gluten intolerance and migrainesThe relationship between gluten sensitivity and migraines has been frequently noted. For example, in one study, neurologist Marios Hadjivassiliou described a middle-aged man whose migraines began in childhood and did not respond to treatment but stopped completely after he was diagnosed with coeliac disease and switched to a gluten free diet (American Academy of Neurology, Feb 14, 2001).Researchers Gabrielli and colleagues in Italy found that blood donors with migraines were more likely to have coeliac disease than those who were healthy.Dr Vikki Petersen runs a medical clinic in Sunnyvale, California with a strong focus on gluten sensitivity. She is the co-author of The Gluten Effect in which she notes that many physicians lack awareness of the symptoms gluten sensitivity can trigger including ataxia (balance and gait disorders), seizures, and development of brain lesions and calcifications as well as migraines.Tests results may often be misleading, registering ‘normal’ in someone who is gluten sensitive. However, a number of symptoms may alert a physician or migraine sufferer to suspect gluten sensitivity as a trigger. According to Dr Petersen, ‘Having migraines is a “red flag”, as is a craving for gluten and starchy foods. Patients who have no problem with gluten typically can “take it or leave it” in their diet. It'sthe patients who feel they “can't live without it” that definitely should check for a sensitivity.’Adams, Scott; Migraine Headaches: Gluten Triggers Severe Headaches in Sensitive Individuals; Celiac.com; 02/15/2001 DeNoon, Daniel J; Migraines Linked to Celiac Disease; WebMD HealthNews; March 21, 2003 Gabrielli, M, et al, Association Between Migraine and Celiac Disease: ResultsFrom a Preliminary Case-Control and Therapeutic Study, AM J Gastroenterol.2003 Jul; 98 (7):1674(Source: Foods Matter)
Thinny Skinnies –the low-down on leaky skin and allergies
Thinny Skinnies –the low-down on leaky skin and allergies
皮膚薄導致多種皮膚問題
Micki Rose looks at recent research and suggests how you might deal with the problem.In the past few years, scientists have become pretty convinced that people suffering with skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis do so partly because they have thinner or leakier skin.This type of skin lets more environmental substances (bacteria, pollens, moulds, chemicals etc) through than it should. These are thought to set off an allergic reaction as they enter the bloodstream. As the immune system weakens over time and the skin gets more porous, food intolerances and asthma are thought to follow. If being a ‘thinny skinny’ is at the heart of skin allergy problems, is there anything we can do to prevent it starting or worsening, or are we just sitting ducks with the wrong geneticmake-up? Well, there’s an argument for both, so let’s start by looking at how the skin barrierworks, what the genetic scientists think is going on, consider how we might be making the problem worse for ourselves and end with ways we can limit our leakiness.The barrier an average person has about 1.75m2 of skin. At the top of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which is made up of dead skin cells glued together to form a layer of keratin cells and lipids, which give it toughness and moisture.This, in effect, is the barrier. It acts as a layer of bricks with the fats in between as the mortar. There are 15 layers of this stratum corneum which constantly move closer to the surface to be shed – a new layer forms every two weeks.Beneficial bacteria live on this part of the skin and form part of the barrier by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. Some of this bacteria is shed with the skin cells and needs to be constantly replaced as well.The barrier is dependent on us maintaining the right levels of moisture in the skin, its pH, the content of the fats or lipids, between the cells and the rate ofshedding. The deeper layer is the dermis and this is where most of thenutrients are needed to grow healthy skin, which then moves up gradually to form the stratum corneum.It should be pretty obvious, then, that to maintain a good non-leaky skin barrier we need to feed the dermis the right nutrients, keep moisture, fats and pH levels right and avoid doing anything that encourages too fast shedding.
Genetics
Now let’s look at what do geneticists think might be going wrong. Scientists realized a while ago that, in many cases, children with eczema had no antibodies in their blood that would explain an allergic cause of eczema. This set them looking for other reasons.There was no doubt that certain substances kicked off a skin flare, so they assumed the substances were somehow getting through the skin’s naturaldefense barrier – but why?A team at Dundee University discovered that about half the people they tested had a genetic defect in the gene that that controls the production of fillagrin,a protein found on the skin’s surface thought to be involved in maintaining the barrier.
Too little, or no fillagrin explained the leaky skin. But clearly, if they found only half had this problem it can’t be the full story, and the researchers themselvessay it’s unlikely to be the only factor involved.
Thinny Skinnies –the low-down on leaky skin and allergiesMicki Rose looks at recent research and suggests how you might deal with the problem.Interestingly, the team felt that it may, in fact, be a genetic advantage since a mildly leaky skin would allow a small amount of pathogens, such asbacteria, through acting rather like a ‘natural vaccination’ process and leading to a stronger species immunity.
So thinny skinnies may actually be the top of our species tree, which is a nice thought!Other teams found that the LCE gene cluster may also be implicated and, again, this genetic variant would likely lead problems maintaining the skin’s proteins and therefore the barrier.Yet other scientists believe that eczema sufferers lack what are termed AMPs (anti-microbial peptides), more proteins that help specifically to fight offbacteria. These AMPs live in the outer surface of the skin and if you don’t have enough, you are more prone to bacterial attack.If you injure your skin normally you’d see an increase in AMPs at the site to fight off infection, but this doesn’t happen as effectively in skin sufferers and so bacteria attacks the skin, injures it and prompts a skin flare. We do know that many eczema sufferers have a lot more staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the upper skin layers than most people and this could be the reason why they can’tfight infection off as well.If antibiotics are regularly used they damage the skin’s natural bacteria further and make the whole problem worse longer term, while the skin may also develop resistance to them.So, it appears there may be several genetic mechanisms involved in why we have leaky skin, and there is clearly much more to learn. We need to keep in mind that many illnesses have been found to have a genetic component, but that it is often lifestyle and environmental elements that tip the sufferer over the edge. Think of most cancers: we know genes make us vulnerable but scientists also know that diet and lifestyle are the straws that break the camel’s back.
So, what else could be going on?
Moisture loss
This seems to be the biggest issue. Thin skin is often dry skin. Dry skin is often itchy. Scratching damages the skin and allows in the bacteria and other pollutants leading to yet more itching and more scratching, and so it goes on.
The trick must be, then, to keep the skin well oiled and that’s the argument behind many barrier creams.
Babies in the womb are covered in a kind of waterproof cream called vernix caseosa, made up of fats, water and dead skin cells, which forms the skin’s all-important barrier.One team of scientists is trying to make a synthetic version of this for use when the barrier is compromised, as in eczema.
Researchers in India applied sunflower oil several times a day to vulnerablepremature babies to strengthen their immature skin barrier and found that therewas a drop in deaths by a staggering 26%.
Simply keeping them well moisturised prevented them absorbing damagingenvironmental pollutants.So far, so good, but as I said in my article in the February Foods Matter, barrier creams are often toxic and mineral-oil based.
Some experts think this compounds the problem, as they don’t allow the skin to breathe and hold petroleum by-products and sweat next to the skin for much longer than normal, possibly contributing to more damage.Therefore it’s important to choose your moisture cream made of fats, ceramides and cholesterol.These are used to make phospholipids which form cell and other membranes. So it much make sense to ensure we’ve got enough of the right elements to go around.Lipids in our bodies are dependent upon our consumption of essential fatty acids like omega,3, 6 and 9.
Research suggests that eczema sufferers tend to have higher than average levels of linoleic acid and lower amounts of polyunsaturated fats like GLA, EPA and DHA.Even more interesting, one study found that there was a definite correlation between pregnant women who ate more omega 6 rich foods such as margarineand vegetable oils, in their last four weeks and the number of their children whohad developed eczema and other allergies by two years old.
The babies of the mothers who ate more fish (Omega 3, DHA/EPA) didn’tdevelop allergies.
This may partly be because of the impact of omega 3 fatty acids on strengthening our immunity, forming strong membranes and lowering inflammation levels, but could also be because people have a problem converting LINOLEIC acid into the more beneficial fats.This conversion is dependent on specific nutrients, most importantly zincs, needed for the enzyme delta-6-desaturase required for conversion to take place.Zinc is a key skin and immune nutrient, and this could go some way to explaining why zinc often helps in these cases, both as supplements and as zinc oxide cream applied topically.Giving omega 3 oils as fish oils is likely to help people sidestep this conversion problem, although vegetarian sources of these such as linseed may not, as these still need to go through a conversion process.Since cholesterol plays a really important part as one of the barrier and cell membrane substances, we must also avoid over zealous reduction of our cholesterol levels.
Research suggests that we should be aiming for a healthy total cholesterol level of between 4.9 and 5.4 and that cholesterol, as well as causing problems when it is too high, can also be problematic when it’s too low.
Compromised membrane and barrier strength is one of the key issues.Lastly, we mustn’t forget the importance of water. Remember what the babies’ natural ‘cream’ is made of: fats and skin cells but mostly water.
Hydration is key. And fats have a role to play here too, since efficient hydration of the body only happens if you have the correct essential fats in place.
If you’re deficient in the right fats, you won’t hydrate effectively no matter how much water you throw down.
DamageSo that deals with genetic factors, moisture and fat content of the skin, but what about the pH of the skin and skin shedding?We already touched on the damage chemicals can cause.
In hand dermatitis studies, researchers have found that hand washes can alter pH, destroy resident good bacteria and reduce the level of fatty acids(loosening the glue holding the barrier together).
Damage is pretty much immediate, even after one wash, and is cumulative,with repair taking 17 days after using a hand wash for a week.
Just imagine what you’re using on your whole body, and how long you’ve been using it for, then think about how long that might take to repair!Consider what’s in your water and how many chemicals you are using every day on yourskin in seemingly innocuous toiletries.We can only guess from the damage a simple handwash does what may result from a concoction of chemical beauty, washing and cleaning products slathered onto our bodies on a daily basis.
Put it this way, if you’re predisposed to leaky skin, it’s not going to help.
Skin shedding
Now consider the shedding of the skin cells and think about how often you do something that removes a top layer of skin – exfoliation techniques like scrubs,loofahs, skin brushing, peel masks, microdermabrasion, waxing etc.
Even simple rubbing with a hard towel will encourage a layer of skin to come off.Sometimes that’s a good decongestant for dull skin, but not if you have a thin skin and are prone to skin allergies.
A team at University College, London showed that even ripping a piece of cellotape off the skin once was enough to allow allergens through into the blood.They showed that these allergens epidermis, and are then taken to the nearest lymph node to be dealt with, ie an immune response.
Other impacts• Scratching, of course, causes damage, which is why the moisturizing and avoiding it is so important.• Steroid creams have been found to thin the skin and hence could make the problem worse in the long term.• Dust mites are also an important consideration. An enzyme released in their faeces is thought to be able to harm the skin barrier so it’s vital to take steps to avoid them.In fact, some experts believe that it is these environmental allergens as well as pollens, moulds, fumes and animal dander that are the first allergens to enter a leaky skin.
This precedes the development of food allergies, intolerance and other allergies such as asthma as the immune system becomes weaker and the skin allows more and more in.
An interesting study showed that in some babies, the bum was the only part of the body not affected by eczema probably because it had been covered up and therefore not exposed to environmental allergens.
• Ozone. One of the major environmental pathogens is air, or the ozone in it anyway. We know that part of the body’s ageing process involves exposure tooxygen, creating free radicals that must then are taken up by Langerhan be quenched by antioxidants.
Think of what happens when your car is scratched. If left exposed it rusts. This iswhat happens to our skin. This oxidative damage occurs in the stratum corneum all the time. This layer is particularly rich in vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant. So a lack of antioxidants, especially vitamin E, is going to mean alower ability to repair the oxidative damage.
• Trauma. I know several cases, including my own, where skin problems occur only where there has been a trauma, such as a burn or infection.Highly toxic hair products designed to get my hair to stand on end when I was young (don’t ask!) have left me with a vulnerable scalp and eczema in myears when I’m stressed.
I also wonder whether an episode as a very young child when I fell practically naked into a nettle patch exacerbated an already allergic tendency by damaging my skin barrier.
Who knows, but it’s an interesting concept? As a naturopath, I would also have to consider the link between skin allergies, a leaky gut and respiratory problems such as asthma.To a naturopath, our lungs and bowel are just bags and tubes of the same sort of skin we can see externally. It stands to reason that if we have a tendency for leaky skin on the outside, this may be no different on the inside.
This could explain the established link between skin and bowel issues, wherebythe skin is often simply reflecting what is happening in the bowel.If I see a person with IBS or constipation, for example, they invariably have some form of skin problem too.
And could the leaky gut be at the heart of the later food intolerances and othersensitivities – leaky skin, leaky gut?
And what about the link between early eczema developing into asthma – is this simply a reflection of leaky lung skin?
Prevention, protectionand repair
So what can be done to limit the damage and repair it? Obviously, we can’t do much about our genetic predisposition, but just because you have a genetic issue, it doesn’t mean the problem will develop, and we can do plenty to prevent it doing so through lifestyle choices.
Here are my top tips:1. If you’re pregnant, take good quality fish oils in the last trimester especially.
2. Keep babies’ skin covered up lightly with clothes and oil to avoid environmental pollutants affecting the immature barrier.
3. If your skin is dry, make sure you have plenty of fatty acids in your diet, keep nicely hydrated and check out your thyroid – underactivity is a common cause.
4. Moisturise well daily with a non-toxic, no perfume, no-mineral products, oil based lotion.Vitamin E, vitamin C and green tea extracts have been found the best to offset free radical damage.
Use oil in the bath to coat skin and dry naturally.
5. Fit a whole house dechlorinator so any water that comes into contact with your skin is as chemical-free as you can get.And whilst you’re at it a reverse osmosis filter on your drinking water wouldn’t go amiss either – remember your internal skin.
6. Make sure you eat plenty of foods rich in essential fats such as fish, seeds and nuts, and, to make sure, take a good quality fish oil supplement daily.
7. Avoid any form of harsh chemicals such as toiletries and cleaning products. Wear gloves as a protective barrier.
Avoid over zealous skin cleaning.
8. Choose organic cotton, nonscratchy clothes, towels and bedding wherever possible.
Cotton is one of the most toxic, pesticide-ridden fabrics there isand you need to avoid chemical ingestion.
9. Get your environment right. Invest in a HEPA air filter and clear the rooms you use most, especially your bedroom and lounge, of pollens, moulds, mites, dander etc. Use a HEPAfitted vacuum cleaner for your house, bed and upholstered furniture to get rid of dust mites and other allergens. Keep temperaturecontrolled: neither too hot, nor too cold.
10. Avoid physically damagingyour skin with exfoliation, waxing or biological washing powders.
11. Cover your skin lightly to limit environmental and ozone ingestion.
12. Eat plenty of organic fruit and vegetables to keep antioxidant levels high.
To make sure, invest in a good broad-spectrum antioxidant supplement that includes plenty of zinc and take it daily.
You could even have an oxidative stress test done to check your internal levels of antioxidants and show which ones you need specifically.
13. Avoid steroid and antibiotic use as much as possible.
Choose creams containing licorice extracts (glycyrrhetinic acid), which have been shown to have a similar effect to steroid creams.
DGL, a form of licorice, is used often to heal internal skin wounds such as ulcers so it makes sense it would help external skin too.
Creams containing probiotics, such as acidophilus, will boost your natural levels of good bacteria to fight the baddies more effectively.
Take a probiotic daily for your inside skin.
14. Do not lower your total cholesterol levels too far.
Instead, aim to achieve a high level of protective HDL cholesterol and less of the harmful LDL cholesterol with a good diet and lifestyle.(Source: FoodsMatter)
皮膚薄導致多種皮膚問題
Micki Rose looks at recent research and suggests how you might deal with the problem.In the past few years, scientists have become pretty convinced that people suffering with skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis do so partly because they have thinner or leakier skin.This type of skin lets more environmental substances (bacteria, pollens, moulds, chemicals etc) through than it should. These are thought to set off an allergic reaction as they enter the bloodstream. As the immune system weakens over time and the skin gets more porous, food intolerances and asthma are thought to follow. If being a ‘thinny skinny’ is at the heart of skin allergy problems, is there anything we can do to prevent it starting or worsening, or are we just sitting ducks with the wrong geneticmake-up? Well, there’s an argument for both, so let’s start by looking at how the skin barrierworks, what the genetic scientists think is going on, consider how we might be making the problem worse for ourselves and end with ways we can limit our leakiness.The barrier an average person has about 1.75m2 of skin. At the top of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which is made up of dead skin cells glued together to form a layer of keratin cells and lipids, which give it toughness and moisture.This, in effect, is the barrier. It acts as a layer of bricks with the fats in between as the mortar. There are 15 layers of this stratum corneum which constantly move closer to the surface to be shed – a new layer forms every two weeks.Beneficial bacteria live on this part of the skin and form part of the barrier by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. Some of this bacteria is shed with the skin cells and needs to be constantly replaced as well.The barrier is dependent on us maintaining the right levels of moisture in the skin, its pH, the content of the fats or lipids, between the cells and the rate ofshedding. The deeper layer is the dermis and this is where most of thenutrients are needed to grow healthy skin, which then moves up gradually to form the stratum corneum.It should be pretty obvious, then, that to maintain a good non-leaky skin barrier we need to feed the dermis the right nutrients, keep moisture, fats and pH levels right and avoid doing anything that encourages too fast shedding.
Genetics
Now let’s look at what do geneticists think might be going wrong. Scientists realized a while ago that, in many cases, children with eczema had no antibodies in their blood that would explain an allergic cause of eczema. This set them looking for other reasons.There was no doubt that certain substances kicked off a skin flare, so they assumed the substances were somehow getting through the skin’s naturaldefense barrier – but why?A team at Dundee University discovered that about half the people they tested had a genetic defect in the gene that that controls the production of fillagrin,a protein found on the skin’s surface thought to be involved in maintaining the barrier.
Too little, or no fillagrin explained the leaky skin. But clearly, if they found only half had this problem it can’t be the full story, and the researchers themselvessay it’s unlikely to be the only factor involved.
Thinny Skinnies –the low-down on leaky skin and allergiesMicki Rose looks at recent research and suggests how you might deal with the problem.Interestingly, the team felt that it may, in fact, be a genetic advantage since a mildly leaky skin would allow a small amount of pathogens, such asbacteria, through acting rather like a ‘natural vaccination’ process and leading to a stronger species immunity.
So thinny skinnies may actually be the top of our species tree, which is a nice thought!Other teams found that the LCE gene cluster may also be implicated and, again, this genetic variant would likely lead problems maintaining the skin’s proteins and therefore the barrier.Yet other scientists believe that eczema sufferers lack what are termed AMPs (anti-microbial peptides), more proteins that help specifically to fight offbacteria. These AMPs live in the outer surface of the skin and if you don’t have enough, you are more prone to bacterial attack.If you injure your skin normally you’d see an increase in AMPs at the site to fight off infection, but this doesn’t happen as effectively in skin sufferers and so bacteria attacks the skin, injures it and prompts a skin flare. We do know that many eczema sufferers have a lot more staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the upper skin layers than most people and this could be the reason why they can’tfight infection off as well.If antibiotics are regularly used they damage the skin’s natural bacteria further and make the whole problem worse longer term, while the skin may also develop resistance to them.So, it appears there may be several genetic mechanisms involved in why we have leaky skin, and there is clearly much more to learn. We need to keep in mind that many illnesses have been found to have a genetic component, but that it is often lifestyle and environmental elements that tip the sufferer over the edge. Think of most cancers: we know genes make us vulnerable but scientists also know that diet and lifestyle are the straws that break the camel’s back.
So, what else could be going on?
Moisture loss
This seems to be the biggest issue. Thin skin is often dry skin. Dry skin is often itchy. Scratching damages the skin and allows in the bacteria and other pollutants leading to yet more itching and more scratching, and so it goes on.
The trick must be, then, to keep the skin well oiled and that’s the argument behind many barrier creams.
Babies in the womb are covered in a kind of waterproof cream called vernix caseosa, made up of fats, water and dead skin cells, which forms the skin’s all-important barrier.One team of scientists is trying to make a synthetic version of this for use when the barrier is compromised, as in eczema.
Researchers in India applied sunflower oil several times a day to vulnerablepremature babies to strengthen their immature skin barrier and found that therewas a drop in deaths by a staggering 26%.
Simply keeping them well moisturised prevented them absorbing damagingenvironmental pollutants.So far, so good, but as I said in my article in the February Foods Matter, barrier creams are often toxic and mineral-oil based.
Some experts think this compounds the problem, as they don’t allow the skin to breathe and hold petroleum by-products and sweat next to the skin for much longer than normal, possibly contributing to more damage.Therefore it’s important to choose your moisture cream made of fats, ceramides and cholesterol.These are used to make phospholipids which form cell and other membranes. So it much make sense to ensure we’ve got enough of the right elements to go around.Lipids in our bodies are dependent upon our consumption of essential fatty acids like omega,3, 6 and 9.
Research suggests that eczema sufferers tend to have higher than average levels of linoleic acid and lower amounts of polyunsaturated fats like GLA, EPA and DHA.Even more interesting, one study found that there was a definite correlation between pregnant women who ate more omega 6 rich foods such as margarineand vegetable oils, in their last four weeks and the number of their children whohad developed eczema and other allergies by two years old.
The babies of the mothers who ate more fish (Omega 3, DHA/EPA) didn’tdevelop allergies.
This may partly be because of the impact of omega 3 fatty acids on strengthening our immunity, forming strong membranes and lowering inflammation levels, but could also be because people have a problem converting LINOLEIC acid into the more beneficial fats.This conversion is dependent on specific nutrients, most importantly zincs, needed for the enzyme delta-6-desaturase required for conversion to take place.Zinc is a key skin and immune nutrient, and this could go some way to explaining why zinc often helps in these cases, both as supplements and as zinc oxide cream applied topically.Giving omega 3 oils as fish oils is likely to help people sidestep this conversion problem, although vegetarian sources of these such as linseed may not, as these still need to go through a conversion process.Since cholesterol plays a really important part as one of the barrier and cell membrane substances, we must also avoid over zealous reduction of our cholesterol levels.
Research suggests that we should be aiming for a healthy total cholesterol level of between 4.9 and 5.4 and that cholesterol, as well as causing problems when it is too high, can also be problematic when it’s too low.
Compromised membrane and barrier strength is one of the key issues.Lastly, we mustn’t forget the importance of water. Remember what the babies’ natural ‘cream’ is made of: fats and skin cells but mostly water.
Hydration is key. And fats have a role to play here too, since efficient hydration of the body only happens if you have the correct essential fats in place.
If you’re deficient in the right fats, you won’t hydrate effectively no matter how much water you throw down.
DamageSo that deals with genetic factors, moisture and fat content of the skin, but what about the pH of the skin and skin shedding?We already touched on the damage chemicals can cause.
In hand dermatitis studies, researchers have found that hand washes can alter pH, destroy resident good bacteria and reduce the level of fatty acids(loosening the glue holding the barrier together).
Damage is pretty much immediate, even after one wash, and is cumulative,with repair taking 17 days after using a hand wash for a week.
Just imagine what you’re using on your whole body, and how long you’ve been using it for, then think about how long that might take to repair!Consider what’s in your water and how many chemicals you are using every day on yourskin in seemingly innocuous toiletries.We can only guess from the damage a simple handwash does what may result from a concoction of chemical beauty, washing and cleaning products slathered onto our bodies on a daily basis.
Put it this way, if you’re predisposed to leaky skin, it’s not going to help.
Skin shedding
Now consider the shedding of the skin cells and think about how often you do something that removes a top layer of skin – exfoliation techniques like scrubs,loofahs, skin brushing, peel masks, microdermabrasion, waxing etc.
Even simple rubbing with a hard towel will encourage a layer of skin to come off.Sometimes that’s a good decongestant for dull skin, but not if you have a thin skin and are prone to skin allergies.
A team at University College, London showed that even ripping a piece of cellotape off the skin once was enough to allow allergens through into the blood.They showed that these allergens epidermis, and are then taken to the nearest lymph node to be dealt with, ie an immune response.
Other impacts• Scratching, of course, causes damage, which is why the moisturizing and avoiding it is so important.• Steroid creams have been found to thin the skin and hence could make the problem worse in the long term.• Dust mites are also an important consideration. An enzyme released in their faeces is thought to be able to harm the skin barrier so it’s vital to take steps to avoid them.In fact, some experts believe that it is these environmental allergens as well as pollens, moulds, fumes and animal dander that are the first allergens to enter a leaky skin.
This precedes the development of food allergies, intolerance and other allergies such as asthma as the immune system becomes weaker and the skin allows more and more in.
An interesting study showed that in some babies, the bum was the only part of the body not affected by eczema probably because it had been covered up and therefore not exposed to environmental allergens.
• Ozone. One of the major environmental pathogens is air, or the ozone in it anyway. We know that part of the body’s ageing process involves exposure tooxygen, creating free radicals that must then are taken up by Langerhan be quenched by antioxidants.
Think of what happens when your car is scratched. If left exposed it rusts. This iswhat happens to our skin. This oxidative damage occurs in the stratum corneum all the time. This layer is particularly rich in vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant. So a lack of antioxidants, especially vitamin E, is going to mean alower ability to repair the oxidative damage.
• Trauma. I know several cases, including my own, where skin problems occur only where there has been a trauma, such as a burn or infection.Highly toxic hair products designed to get my hair to stand on end when I was young (don’t ask!) have left me with a vulnerable scalp and eczema in myears when I’m stressed.
I also wonder whether an episode as a very young child when I fell practically naked into a nettle patch exacerbated an already allergic tendency by damaging my skin barrier.
Who knows, but it’s an interesting concept? As a naturopath, I would also have to consider the link between skin allergies, a leaky gut and respiratory problems such as asthma.To a naturopath, our lungs and bowel are just bags and tubes of the same sort of skin we can see externally. It stands to reason that if we have a tendency for leaky skin on the outside, this may be no different on the inside.
This could explain the established link between skin and bowel issues, wherebythe skin is often simply reflecting what is happening in the bowel.If I see a person with IBS or constipation, for example, they invariably have some form of skin problem too.
And could the leaky gut be at the heart of the later food intolerances and othersensitivities – leaky skin, leaky gut?
And what about the link between early eczema developing into asthma – is this simply a reflection of leaky lung skin?
Prevention, protectionand repair
So what can be done to limit the damage and repair it? Obviously, we can’t do much about our genetic predisposition, but just because you have a genetic issue, it doesn’t mean the problem will develop, and we can do plenty to prevent it doing so through lifestyle choices.
Here are my top tips:1. If you’re pregnant, take good quality fish oils in the last trimester especially.
2. Keep babies’ skin covered up lightly with clothes and oil to avoid environmental pollutants affecting the immature barrier.
3. If your skin is dry, make sure you have plenty of fatty acids in your diet, keep nicely hydrated and check out your thyroid – underactivity is a common cause.
4. Moisturise well daily with a non-toxic, no perfume, no-mineral products, oil based lotion.Vitamin E, vitamin C and green tea extracts have been found the best to offset free radical damage.
Use oil in the bath to coat skin and dry naturally.
5. Fit a whole house dechlorinator so any water that comes into contact with your skin is as chemical-free as you can get.And whilst you’re at it a reverse osmosis filter on your drinking water wouldn’t go amiss either – remember your internal skin.
6. Make sure you eat plenty of foods rich in essential fats such as fish, seeds and nuts, and, to make sure, take a good quality fish oil supplement daily.
7. Avoid any form of harsh chemicals such as toiletries and cleaning products. Wear gloves as a protective barrier.
Avoid over zealous skin cleaning.
8. Choose organic cotton, nonscratchy clothes, towels and bedding wherever possible.
Cotton is one of the most toxic, pesticide-ridden fabrics there isand you need to avoid chemical ingestion.
9. Get your environment right. Invest in a HEPA air filter and clear the rooms you use most, especially your bedroom and lounge, of pollens, moulds, mites, dander etc. Use a HEPAfitted vacuum cleaner for your house, bed and upholstered furniture to get rid of dust mites and other allergens. Keep temperaturecontrolled: neither too hot, nor too cold.
10. Avoid physically damagingyour skin with exfoliation, waxing or biological washing powders.
11. Cover your skin lightly to limit environmental and ozone ingestion.
12. Eat plenty of organic fruit and vegetables to keep antioxidant levels high.
To make sure, invest in a good broad-spectrum antioxidant supplement that includes plenty of zinc and take it daily.
You could even have an oxidative stress test done to check your internal levels of antioxidants and show which ones you need specifically.
13. Avoid steroid and antibiotic use as much as possible.
Choose creams containing licorice extracts (glycyrrhetinic acid), which have been shown to have a similar effect to steroid creams.
DGL, a form of licorice, is used often to heal internal skin wounds such as ulcers so it makes sense it would help external skin too.
Creams containing probiotics, such as acidophilus, will boost your natural levels of good bacteria to fight the baddies more effectively.
Take a probiotic daily for your inside skin.
14. Do not lower your total cholesterol levels too far.
Instead, aim to achieve a high level of protective HDL cholesterol and less of the harmful LDL cholesterol with a good diet and lifestyle.(Source: FoodsMatter)
Soya in Chicken 大豆過敏者注意:雞也可能令你過敏?
Soya in chickenReaders will remember that in the November Foods Matter (p17) and on the FM website athttp://tinyurl.com/3adyvy, Tracy Smith, Jacqui Broadway and Julie Rogers all reported that,being ultra-sensitive to soya, they reacted to chickens and eggs that had been fed a soya dietthroughout their lives although they could tolerate organic chickens which had only been fed soya before slaughter.Professor Jonathan Brostoff said that this was an area in which very little work had been done; the laboratories we consulted said that they thought it was very unlikely that any soya residues would remain in the flesh.Jacqui Broadway decided to test this out and sent a piece of organic chicken to be analysed using the ELISA method (see opposite).The laboratory was right – the test did not detect any soya. We then sent a piece of ‘normal' chicken, which had presumably been fed soya all its life, for DNA testing – but with no more positive a result.But the fact remains that three of our readers (and how many other people) who are proven to be soya sensitive, become ill after eating chickens or eggs that have been fed a diet high in soya and do notafter eating chickens fed a diet very low in soya.Are they imagining their symptoms? Or are the tests currently available simple not sensitive or sophisticated enough to pick up the soya residues to which they are reacting?(Source: FoodsMatter)
Natural Himalaya rock salt 天然喜馬拉亞山岩鹽
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Himalayan salt - The Gift of Mother Earth
The origin of Himalaya Rock Salt goes back to over 100 million years. In ancient days,
it was more precious than gold.
It was used by ancient Ayurvedic seers who found it suitable against various diseases.
Today, Himalaya Rock Salt brings you the same prehistoric, pollution-free, chemical-free yet mineral-rich natural resource.
100% Himalaya Rock Salt contrains many natural trace minerals in minute quantities.
喜馬拉亞山岩鹽的源頭已有超過1億萬年歷史，是大自然的恩賜。在古時，它比黃金更貴重。
它被古代Ayurvedic智者認為有助對抗多種疾病。今日，喜馬拉亞石鹽為你帶來與古時一樣不含污染物、化學物質，但礦物質豐富的天然資源。
100%喜馬拉亞石鹽，僅少量便含有多種礦物質。
Gluten free fruit rice crispies 不含穀膠果乾脆米通
這一次我們以不含穀膠的材料去製作 果乾脆米通
材料如下
脆米
米糖漿
果乾
不含牛奶植物牛油
一個膠盒(我們準備的容器大約是放下炒香了的 脆米 還餘約20%的空間)
Ingredients:
Dried fruits (Lyme Regis fruitus nuggets)
Dairy free margarine / Organic ghee butter
1 plastic container
要使脆米夠香口和脆 我們可以先用平底鍋把脆米再炒香(不加油)
Dry fry the rice crispies in a pan.
之後我們就可以準備做混合脆米的糖漿了
首先我們把Gluten free植物牛油放下去平底鍋 小火就足夠我們使用的了
加熱熔化
Melt the butter / margarine in a pan on low heat.
Gluten free植物牛油都熔化後就可以把米糖漿加進去
Add rice syrup to melted butter.
等熱力令 米糖漿 變得容易搞動後 就再把 果肉乾(糖) 放進去
When the syrup turns runny, add fruit nuggets.
果肉乾(糖)放進去後搞動大約1分鐘
就可以和之前炒好了的 脆米 混合在一起了
Stir for about one minute and you can mix the solution with rice crispies.
再壓平
Press.
待材料都冷卻後就完成
Cools down.
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做好了的 脆米通 我們可以切成條狀 方便當成早餐,外出小吃
而糖漿 和 果肉乾方面 可以選擇的不同的組合 或加入自己喜歡的材料也可以
但 脆米 最好選擇本身味道較淡的 這樣 脆米通做出來就不會怕過甜了
Gluten free Kinnikinnick pizza mix ~ 加拿大不含穀膠薄餅粉
這一次是為大家介紹 Kinnikinnick pizza crust mix 的製作過程
首先準備3/4杯暖水,加入糖混合至糖完全溶解,再加入酵母
Add 0.75cup warm water. Add in sugar & dissolve. Add yeast.
用保鮮紙蓋上(要留丁點氣孔),等大約5-7分鐘,看到酵母起泡泡就代表準備好了。
Put a layer of film (loosely). Wait 5-7 minutes until the yeast solution bubbles.
之後準備1/4杯油(葵花籽油佳),兩隻雞蛋,慢慢用篩把pizza mix加下去每一次下2.5杯粉。
Mix 0.25cup sunflower oil & two eggs. Slowly add sieved pizza mix, 2.5cups at a time.
下粉後慢慢搞動混合
Mix well.
完全混合後先在要猜粉的手加上一些乾的米粉 (organic rice flour)
(其實其他種的粉也可以,但米粉味道較中性)。
Rub hands with rice flour.
重覆的用手腕壓下去再拉回來對摺(用意把空氣留在粉團內),不時加入"粉"可以方便你控制粉團的濕潤程度
到了最後把粉猜成一團,再用保鮮紙輕輕的蓋上,這時候你可以順道預熱焗爐
Knead dough repeatedly, folding in air. Add flour from time to time for the right consistency.
Preheat oven at 190C
等大約10-15分鐘粉團就會發大一倍左右的了
Put a layer of film. Wait 10-15 minutes until it doubles in size.
現在可以把粉麵分開去做餅底了,我是分成一半去做(其實分成4份效果會更佳)
再把你預定的份量放到焗盆上輕輕的壓平(太大力餅底會變得"實"的)
再把邊微微的摺起來,這樣焗好後再放上材料就不怕材料會流出去
Divide the dough into two to four portions.
Press the dough down the pan lightly. Allow thicker dough on the edge.
把餅底放入焗爐中,用190度攝氏焗大約10-15分(視乎你的餅的大小)
(我只用底火焗)
Bake 10-15 minutes at 190C.
這個時間我們可以準備薄餅上的材料了
我的材料如下,4個蕃茄,1個洋蔥,免治豬肉(用糖,鹽先處理)
4個蕃茄及洋蔥一半切碎一半切片
Add fillings: 4 tomatoes (half sliced, half diced), 1 onion (half sliced, half diced), minced pork (marinated with sugar and salt).
開火爐先預熱加入小量的油,油熱後加入碎蕃茄
開大火等蕃茄開放流出蕃茄油時加入洋蔥碎
等洋蔥碎開始變色就加入豬肉碎及香草,炒香
Add tomatoes to a heated pan for 3-5 minutes. Add onion and fry till soft.
Add pork and organic oregano
餅底焗好後先等大約4-5分鐘冷卻,再把材料放上餅底
Allow the pizza crust to cool down for 4-5 minutes before adding fillings to it.
同樣是用190度攝氏焗大約10-12分鐘
Bake again for 10-12 minutes. Done!
出爐後就有美味的薄餅可以吃了
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如果怕Gluten free的mix本身的味道"淡" ,可以在粉團上加入適合份量的香草
由於我這一次是以蕃茄為主的材料,所以我選用了牛至葉
這個薄餅的製作不算困難,只要有焗爐在家中一樣可以輕鬆做到~~~!
甜品-Gluten free 紅豆糕 Dessert - Adzuki bean pudding
這一次是利用gluten free的"寒天"做成的紅豆糕
首先把紅豆用水浸一晚，用慢火將紅豆煲焾。
To make organic vegan adzuki bean pudding, first of all soak the organic adzuki beans overnight.
Cook beans slowly till they are soft.
先將4湯匙寒天混和少許暖水，待溶化後倒進紅豆湯中。
Dissolve 4 tablespoons of agar agar in a little warm water. Pour into the adzuki bean soup.
混合後倒進器皿中等待紅豆湯冷卻。
Pour into a container and wait till the solution cools down.
冷卻後放進雪櫃中後，凝固後倒上椰奶即可食用。
Chill in the fridge till it sets. Add coconut milk to serve.
Gluten free日本中華白米麵 及 中華小米麵
這一次為大家介紹兩款來自日本的產品
中華白米麵 及 中華小米麵
Introducing two yummy pastas from Japan: Rice noodles & millet noodles.
我這一次用的配菜有 乾炒洋蔥雞，以 日本味醂 調味。
(味醂十分適合用在肉類 或 蛋類的料理上 味道帶甜而香)。
趁洋蔥和雞炒至半熟時，加入味醂，不需加入其他調味料。
First of all, stir fry onion and chicken. Add mirin. (Mirin is a great Japanese condiment suitable in meat or egg dishes. It is slightly sweet). Mirin is so full of flavor you do not need to add other condiments.
把菜 (胡蘿蔔、珍珠筍及蜜糖豆) 先做一做處理 (出水),去除草青味。
Parboil the carrot, corn kernel and honey beans.
現在開始煮麵了,先下半煲水，在水中加一茶匙鹽,有助麵不容易結在一起
Boil half a pot of water. Add salt.
水滾後就可以下麵了,麵軟化後搞動至所有麵都浸在水中,把煲蓋蓋上直至出現大量白色泡泡
Add noodles. Boil while stirring. Close the lid and boil till the water bubbles.
把麵從煲中倒出,放到冷水中過冷河,這是過完冷河後的麵
左 白米麵 右 小米麵 (可以看到其實麵條是很挺身的)
Take out the noodles. Rinse with cold water. (Below: Rice noodle - left; millet noodle - right). The noodles are pretty bouncy to the touch.
煲滾少量水，把之前的菜蔬都先下煲,加入鹽 糖 及 兩湯匙 味醂
水滾後再把麵加進煲中至水滾
最後把之前炒好的 雞肉放下去
Boil 1/4 pot of water, add veggies, salt, sugar and 2 tbsp mirin.
左邊的是 中華白米麵 右邊的是 中華小米麵
Rice noodles - left; Millet noodles - right.
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白米麵的顏色是比小米麵為深,而剛煮好小米麵的靭度是比白米麵高的
但如果你放久了,白米的硬度就比小米維持得久
這兩麵的食味和質感像是米線+意粉的感覺
用來炒或涼食(冷麵)也會相當不錯的
Comparison between the two noodles -
Rice noodles are darker in color.
When just cooked, millet noodles is more al dente than rice noodles.
However, after some time, millet will be more al dente.
The texture of the two noodles are reminiscnet of Taiwanese thick rice noodles and Western spaghetti. Besides making soup, you can stir fry or make cold noodles with it too.
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