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Allergies and Asthma |
Research indicates that allergies result from an altered immune or inflammatory process. An allergy occurs because a person is oversensitive to a particular agent. The body attacks foreign substances (bacteria, viruses, cancer, etc), to contain and/or destroy them. Sometimes this immune and/or inflammatory response overreacts and attacks things it shouldn't (substances in foods, pollen, dust, etc), making the "cure" worse than the "disease." Although the causes of overreaction are not well understood, research suggests that altered production of eicosanoid hormones contributes to the process. Essential fats modify the production of eicosanoids.
My clinical experience has shown that some people with allergies and asthma have imbalances of essential fats, and that correcting these abnormalities often improves these conditions. Because correcting EFA abnormalities has no known side effects and can be beneficial to prevent heart disease and abnormal cholesterol, I recommend that patients be evaluated for fatty acid abnormalities and treated accordingly.
To prevent or treat an allergy, several steps are indicated. You may try each one independently. Then try various combinations. Of course, if you know the agent that causes your allergy, you should try to avoid it.
Basic treatment: To improve the function of your immune system, achieve your ideal weight. Eat less saturated fat, regardless of your weight. A low-fat vegetarian diet with appropriate EFA supplements usually decreases the allergic response.
Have a fatty acid profile like the EFA-SRÔ done, and correct any EFA abnormalities you may have. Depending on test results, a treatment plan may be as follows:
- STEP 1: Eat fish oils. If a baseline fatty acid profile shows low w3
derivatives, start taking fish oil capsules (# depends on test results and
other factors). Continue taking the capsules for at least three months,
and then get another fatty acid profile to see if you have changed your
blood levels sufficiently. It is important to know how your body uses the
fatty acids in the oils: too little w3s can cause the treatment to fail,
but too many w3s may cause bleeding or be counterproductive. Moreover,
there are huge variations in chemical (fat) composition among fish oils.
Some brands may be better for one person's condition. Some individual
capsules may be rancid.
If you notice improvements in your allergies after about three months, continue. If you do not feel better but your blood tests indicate that you have enough w3s, move to Step 2. - STEP 2:
Eat evening primrose or borage oil (or other w6 derivatives). Try
them for three months. Get a fatty acid profile to make sure you are
taking enough. If no improvement is seen even with adequate levels for
several months, move to Step 3.
- STEP 3: Eat a mixture of w3 derivatives (fish
oils) and w6 derivatives.
Continue for several months unless you feel worse (in which case you
should reduce the amount of oils). If your blood levels indicate adequate
amounts of EFA derivatives, and there are no side effects, continue even
if there is no obvious improvement. Sometimes it takes months for the
effects to be seen. Other times, the only effect is that your condition
will remain stable. Your condition may not improve, but it probably will
not get worse.
The combined effects of the basic program (less saturated fat) plus the additional oils may require months to take effect. Do not feel discouraged. If you do not get worse, these oils will help your cardiovascular system and you should try them for several years. Because you are eating large amounts of oils, you will need to take antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium. However, there is no need to take large quantities of these vitamins and minerals. I rarely suggest more than 100 I.U. of vitamin E per day, or more than 200 mg of vitamin C per day from all sources combined (i.e., including what you get from your food).
Portions of this section have been excerpted from the book
"EFAs in Health and Disease" (how to order,
table of contents, references, notes, excerpts).
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© 1998 Edward
Siguel. All rights reserved © 1999 Edward
Siguel. All rights reserved © 2000 Edward Siguel. All rights reserved |
modified 1/15/00 |