• One out of 20 people who are allergic to pollen has oral allergy syndrome, which means the immune system mistakes the compounds in certain foods for pollen proteins, says Sublett. Some foods — such as pears, cherries, peaches, apples, melons and nuts — cause breakouts or itching in the throat or around the mouth.
  
• Also, the average 1,500 square-foot home accumulates about 40 pounds of dust per year and contains about 40 million allergens.  Yeeesh! (Source: Sniffle Solutions).
• People who get allergic symptoms during the winter may be allergic to mold spores. Molds remain outside much longer than pollen, and may be indoors year-round. (Source: About.com, Allergy Fast Facts)
• A Johns Hopkins University study showed that “mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90% or more within a month of replacing mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding. (Source: Achooallergy.com)
• Your gut may be a big cause of sneezing. Upsetting the normal balance of microflora in your stomach and intestines can change your entire immune system, researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School report, intensifying your body’s response to common allergens like pollen or animal dander. According to scientists, our modern diet and increased use of antibiotics may be at fault. Safeguard your health with a diet low in sugar and high in raw fruits and vegetables, especially following treatment with antibiotics. (Source: Woman’s Day)

Then, something got my attention and really woke me up. The radio sports program host said his wife and kids were all home and suffering in allergy misery. The show co-host had to call in sick this morning and miss the show, because he was too debilitated with allergies. The host said that he had heard (from where I don’t know or remember) that our state–Iowa–is at the pollen epicenter of the U.S. right now. We have the highest pollen counts of any state in the country.

I wasn’t able to verify that claim for this post today. I did see that Swisher Iowa, two hours away from me,  had the third highest tree pollen count in the U.S. for April 16 and 17, according to The Weather Channel. Swisher was even up to #2 earlier this spring.

Either way you slice it, it’s shaping up to be a severe allergy season, which we’ve discussed earlier. Some are saying this will be the worst allergy season we’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever. Some of the golfers at the Masters last week were wearing wrap-around sun glasses, not because of the sun, but to keep the pollen out of their eyes.

All I know is I’m slamming my EpiCor daily and using a mild nose spray periodically at night. So far, unlike in past years, I’m feeling great and breathing freely as though I’m living on a chilly mountain peak with no trees in site. I’m convinced my immune system, over the past two-plus years, has attained a balance level that has greatly mitigated my allergy condition. But I’m not in mountain country. I’m in corn country with lots of trees, grass and dust-swept fields waiting for planting. But am I gonna suffer all spring, summer and fall?  Hell no.

Of course, I continue to do what I can to support my immune health…diet, sleep, immune balance supplementation…and hopefully preempt the effects of tree and flower pollen that will appear in a few weeks. Here are some additional tips from a recent CBS News segment. Some of these things I had never heard before…such as taking a shower at night to get the pollen out of your hair. Wow. See what you think.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

So, now its on to the holiday food season. And there’s plenty you can do to give your immune health a fighting chance in helping you survive the aftermath of Black Friday and head into December ready to take on those crud-inducing pathogens. One great immune support asset is food. And fresh from the site Truestar Health is a list of nutrients that can help with immune support. I’ve added a little commentary on how you might work them into your  holiday meals.

Vitamin C. Yes, it’s a good immune nutrient, but science shows overloading with C doesn’t fend off colds and flu. So don’t add two dozen orange slices to every glass of punch. But, some citrus or apples added to salads and deserts wouldn’t be a bad bet.

Vitamin E. The Alpha- (or α-) tocopherol form of Vitamin E is the best for human dietary absorption.  Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils are good food sources of E. So load up the Chex Mix with almonds, cashews, and pecans. And don’t be afraid of olive oil or cannola oil when making those Hanukkah matzo balls.

Omega 3s.  This is the essential fatty acid found in fatty fishes, flax and nuts. Break out that smoked salmon.  Albacore tuna with a little Christmas ginger glaze would also do the job.

And, if you consume alcohol over the holidays (naaahhh, never) red wine might be the better bet. A lof of research shows that alcohol intake hampers immune response. Red wine, however, has been shown to not suppress immune response, at least in mouse studies. It doesn’t necessarily help, but a Univ. of Florida study showed red wine did not suppress production of white blood cells in mice, compared to the same amount of alcohol consumed as ethanol.

What is it?

It’s this: The notion that a single nutritional supplement taken year round may deliver efficacy in the form of symptom alleviation for seasonal allergies (non-food, that is) winter season cold/flu conditions. And all this is done naturally through a novel yeast culture fermentate with no side effects and no safety issues.  No separate cold/flu remedies, allergy remedies, all of the potions that fill a medicine cabinet.  (And many of which are under new scrutiny from FDA due to new findings on side effects and even toxicity.)

Two things really hit home for me about this:

1) My own experience and my family’s experience. I’ve been free of any significant allergy episodes and symptoms for two years, when I began EpiCor daily supplementation.  I’ve also been free of any significant cold and flu experience during that time as well. My teenage daughters, who maintain a schedule more intense and insane than Churchill during the war, and who started the EpiCor regimen this fall, and who normally are hammered with sinus infection, strep, respiratory conditions during the winter and spring, so far have had minimal problems. One has spent two days home from school during H1N1 peak time this fall, the other has sailed through scot-free.  This is new territory for both of them.

2) The continuing stream of published research supporting immune balance supplementation with regard to cold/flu and allergies. A cold/flu study using EpiCor and an EpiCor allergy study both speak to the improved symptom experience I and many others are experiencing.

By the way, I pay full price for all EpiCor I take, and I buy it through normal retail channels.

Your 21st Century immune system

The next-gen iPhone. The new Droid. The technology continues to bedazzle. We all know how the cell phone has evolved. First it was a clunky box you installed in the trunk of your car, wired to a hand set holstered in your center console. You could only use the phone to make and receive phone calls. Period. Now, many people use their mobile phones more than they use their laptop or desktop (do they still make those??) computers. And making phone calls may rank third or fourth in function usage.

This cell phone evolution might be analogous to the immune system. Much like the cellular transmission technology that is the heart of numerous mobile information features,  the immune “operating system” can be the fulcrum for many health experiences and conditions beyond the conventional cold and flu cycles. While the immune “technology” hasn’t changed per say, our understanding of the technology and how how to “deploy” it has change  markedly over the years

Take obesity, for example. We are now understanding how immune health can be hindered by obesity.  Anyone involved in obesity or body fat reduction can now presume that any improvement in BMI and weight may likely improve immune function as well.

Heart health is another immune connection. Research is now showing atherosclerosis may be influenced by immune response and its role in arterial inflammation rather than just build up of plaque in arteries.  And diabetes connects directly with immune function. Out-of-balance immune response may lead to immune cells attacking insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

And these are just a few examples. The entire field of stress and the immune system is almost another world unto itself.  Just as smart phone application builders are transforming the core of mobile technology, health science is transforming how we manage and enhance the core of our bio-engine:  the immune system.

Recently, I asked the forum about flu shots? Who is getting a flu shot? Why or why not? Some of the answers were very interesting and very genuine:

Janeen:  “I already got the regular flu shot. I’m not sure I can get the H1N1. Wasn’t there a restriction that pregnant women, babies and the elderly got it first? If not, then I’ll get it. My youngest has asthma and a severe egg allergy and is high risk. He can’t get it due to the egg allergy so the rest of us in the house get the shots to try and shield him the best we can. I’m not concerned for me. It’s my son that concerns me.”

Ellen S: “In the past we have gotten flu shots if my family’s autoimmune issues aren’t flaring badly. This year I’m not sure what we’ll do to be honest. With autoimmunity a real issue and much more of a battle I really want to know what I’m getting. I am not so worried about thimerosol preservatives, but the adjuvant controversies have got me concerned. I do NOT need a more tweaked out immune system hurting me further. Wish I was better informed about them to tell the truth.”

Dindin: “Sign me up, Dude (my WEGO handle is Immunedude). Give me any and all shots that are available. I’ve already had the seasonal flu (outrageously early this year!), and I have no desire to get another strain and/or H1N1.Not to be rude, but I honestly don’t understand those who don’t get shots. Can you explain your rationale a bit more?”

DK:  “Hubby and I got the regular shot three weeks ago. I have mild asthma and he had severe bronchitis this summer, still has a cough. Hubby is extremely healthy, but had five surgeries earlier this year after February’s horrific bicycling accident. Doctor says all the anesthesia made his broncial tubes susceptible, so i’m not messing around with flu this year. H1N1 is not yet here and, frankly, I’m a bit leary of it. There’s a big anti-vaccine movement here – and this is a big medical town! Scarier still, the movement is lead by healthcare workers! Don’t know what to think about that..”

As you can see, this is a complicated dynamic. I’m sure in earlier days, before the social media onslaught, many more people would be getting the shots simply because the public health establishment told them to. Not any more.  I guess that can be a good thing or a bad thing.

Wow. That would be like living on Planet Vulcan. Spock would love it. (If he could love).

Also included is a list of supplements:

54. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is crucial to helping your immune system and preventing colds and the flu.
55. Garlic: Garlic is an age-old supplement used to prevent sickness.
56. Grapefruit seed extract: Grapefruit seed extract is a natural antiviral and antibiotic.
57. Zinc: Zinc is another supplement that can help prevent illness when taken regularly.
58. Emergen-C: While the benefits of taking Emergen-C after you start feeling rundown are still unknown,
taking a regular Vitamin C supplement can keep your immune system strong.
59. Ginger: Add ginger to recipes or tea to boost your immune system.

I would also add: supplements containing the ingredient EpiCor. If nothing else, EpiCor has among the deepest well of science supporting its immune balancing function. Let’s get some “balance” in there and get beyond all the boost, boost boost.

Research suggests beta glucans may play a role in cancer tumor suppression and in other health conditions where aggressive immune response is called for. So why am I bringing up beta glucans in this blog? Maybe it’s simply that such immune system stimulation kind of, maybe, perhaps, throws a wrench into the benefit of immune balance.  An executive team member at a client company passed along some studies showing beta glucan delivered in vitro (petri dish cells) may cause immune response fatigue, where immune cells’ repeated exposure to beta-glucan might actually diminish their assertive function. That kind of got me interested in reading more.

Read this from Web MD: “Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interact with BETA GLUCANS. Beta glucans increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system beta glucans might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.”

“Do not take more than 15 grams per day by mouth and do not use it for longer than 8 weeks.”

In other words, beta glucan can counteract medications and other measures that people adopt to suppress immune response when needed. It’s kind of like all killer cells all the time, which, in the immune balance world, can be detrimental to overall health. Beta glucan might be helpful for concentrated seasonal defense, but I wonder about year-round use and the impact on other health areas when taking a direct immune stimulant every day.

See the video below for a basic overview of the immune system and some warnings on immune stimulation. Warning: he goes into some product pitch at the end, and I’m not at all familiar with it, so no, I don’t endorse it. But his commentary up front seems legit.

One way to prepare is to do everything possible to get your immune system in balance, so that your killer cells kill when they need to (and kill fast), and your suppressor cells call off the attack dog cells when an aggressive immune response is not needed. Over-reactive immune response may create a lot of problems, from undue inflammation to excess phlegm and other problems.

This link from a chiropractic online publication talks about the benefits of adjustments on the immune system. I’m not a chiropractic aficionado, but I did go to a chiro last year for about 4 months because I was snoring like a bloody outboard motor and my wife was ready to strangle me and stuff me in a closet. The sessions did work, and very well. I basically was snore free. I don’t know about their claims regarding nervous system and immune health and how it pertains to chiropractic, but I have posted some findings here earlier this year on how the nervous system can impact immune balance performance.

A lot of news coverage is revving up, as evidenced in this CNN video below, about the coming storm. I’ll be ready.