A Chiropractor in West Palm Beach can help you with many ailments by way of adjustments. However, some of your lifestyle choices outside of the doctor’s office can make a big difference. By incorporating certain lifestyle changes you can contribute to faster healing and continued wellness.
Chemical allergies affect one’s quality of life and can reduce productivity at work, school and home. Also, when not addressed properly, chemical allergies can lead to secondary problems such as rhinitis, contact dermatitis (swelling and irritation of skin) and asthma. Read below to learn about Chiropractic Wellness: Chemical Allergies (Part 3).
What are chemical allergies?
Chemical allergy describes the adverse health effects resulting from exposure to a chemical. For some people, certain foreign chemicals may elicit an immune response. Therefore, the body produces antibodies to fight a foreign invader. In this case, the invader would be the chemical.
Practically any substance can lead to a reaction. And some of the chemicals that frequently cause allergies include:
- air pollution (gas, oil, or coal fumes)
- formaldehyde (used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood etc)
- chlorine (used as disinfectant)
- phenol also called carbolic acid (found in some house hold cleaners and mouth wash)
- insecticides
- various disinfectants
- paint strippers/ paint
- hair sprays
- household cleaning products
- metals such as nickel, mercury, chrome, and beryllium.
CHEMICAL ALLERGIES- Signs/Symptoms:
Chemical allergies often manifest themselves as skin reactions. Certainly, there are many more allergic reactions to foreign chemicals including: watery eyes, ringing in the ears, stuffy nose, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, fatigue, eczema, intestinal disorders, depression, and headache. Additionally, you may have a reaction immediately after exposure to a chemical allergen. However, it may take up to twenty-four hours to manifest. Moreover, you may need to seek medical help with a severe allergic response.
Supplements/nutrition/lifestyle changes for Chemical Allergies
Firstly, to manage your chemical allergy is to investigate and find what chemical caused your allergy. Secondly, eliminating this chemical from your environment. Thirdly, avoid foods that have been sprayed, colored artificially (e.g. FD&C Yellow No. 5 dye), ripening agents on fruits, a protective wax like coating on vegetables/fruits. Fourthly, you will have to read all food/household product labels carefully in order to accomplish the above. Fifthly, eating plenty of fiber (e.g. apples, oat bran) will help remove unnecessary metals from your body. Sixthly, calendula, chamomile, tea tree oil, aloe vera, and elder flower are herbs to look for in a cream/ointment for applying to a allergic contact dermatitis/rash. Lastly, the following supplements may be beneficial against chemical allergies:
Vitamin A and E– powerful at fighting free radicals
*Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness and aging.
They are linked to aging and a host of diseases. Furthermore, free radicals are derived either from normal metabolic processes in the human body or from external sources. For instance, these include exposure to X-rays, ozone, cigarette smoking, air pollutants, and industrial chemicals.
Carotenoid complex with beta-carotene– fights inflammation and boosts immune function
Vitamin B complex– an allergic reponse requires additional B vitamins. And Vitamin B-6(pyridoxine), (extra taken) in conjunction with the complex. Pyridoxine will target foreign substances and eliminate them by way of the kidneys. Vitamin B-3 (Niacinamide) (extra taken with complex) increases circulation.
Coenzyme Q10– Balances out histamine (immune system releases in immune reaction causing allergy symptoms) in the body
Coenzyme A – active in detoxification of toxic substances
Pycnogenol (maritime pine bark extract) or grape seed extract– both serve as a free radical scavenger and aids in protection from damage.
Selenium– important in immune system function
Superoxide dismutase (enzyme found in all living cells) – another free radical scavenger
Zinc plus copper – Important for immune system function. Zinc gluconate lozenges can be used. Copper is essential for balancing with Zinc supplementation.
Garlic– stimulates immune responses
L-cysteine and L-methionine plus L-glutamic acid (amino acids) – liver detoxifier
Manganese – works along with zinc and copper for immune system function
Pancreatic enzymes and proteolytic enzymes– for proper digestion to assimilate all essential nutrients
Raw thymus glandular – thymus is an organ that is critically important to the immune system.
Taurine (an amino acid)– important for white blood cell and neurological function.
According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ (Nabco’s) Practice Analysis of Chiropractic 2015
“Chiropractic is based on the premise that the body is able to achieve and maintain health through its own natural recuperative powers, provided it has a properly functioning nervous system and receives the necessary health maintenance components. These components include adequate nutrition, water, rest exercise and clean air”.
Your West Palm Beach Chiropractor
Your chiropractor in West Palm Beach will adjust your spine to improve the relationship between the spine and nervous system, which affects the function of all the organs and systems in your body. She will educate you on how to prevent future suffering by learning and implementing a lifestyle for health self enhancement. In this regard, we may give take home exercises, recommend ergonomic changes and nutritional/lifestyle changes. Call Dr. Natalie Meiri, your chiropractor in West Palm Beach at 561-253-8984 to find out more about Chiropractic Wellness: Chemical Allergies (Part 3) or to schedule an appointment.
References: Prescription for Nutritional Healing (3rd edition), Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
*For all the above, please check with your primary care doctor before implementation of supplement recommendations.