Most allergy sufferers are plagued with itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion year round (not just when things are blooming).  If your allergies are worse than the average person; there is new research that suggests folic acid can help relieve your symptoms.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center reviewed the medical records of more than 8,000 people, ages 2 to 85, to track the effect of folic acid levels on respiratory and allergic symptoms and on levels of IgE antibodies, the immune system markers that increase in response to an allergen.

They found that people with higher blood levels of folic acid had fewer IgE antibodies, fewer reported allergies and less wheezing and were less likely to develop asthma. The results appear in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

“Our findings are a clear indication that folic acid may indeed help regulate immune response to allergens, and may reduce allergy and asthma symptoms,” Dr. Elizabeth Matsui, a pediatric allergist and the lead investigator, said in a Hopkins news release.

“But we still need to figure out the exact mechanism behind it, and to do so, we need studies that follow people receiving treatment with folic acid before we even consider supplementation with folic acid to treat or prevent allergies and asthma,” she added.

Folic acid is essential for red blood cell health and has long been known to reduce the risk of spinal birth defects. Recent research has identified an association between folic acid levels and inflammation-mediated diseases, including heart disease, according to background information in the news release (source).

    It’s funny how many of the ailments in life are directly related to nutrition and vitamins.  So, before you reach for that over the counter medication, look into a natural cure for the problem that plagues you.  My mom is a wiz when it comes to natural healing.  The best book she ever recommended to me was called “Prescription for Nutritional healing!”  The book is full of natural ways to heal the body.  In my opinion, every household should own this book. 

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

      We all love western medicine, but sometime mother nature can cure us with less side effects and a much more cost affective solution.  If you you suffer from allergies, then it may be time to trade in your traditional allergy medication for something found in nature.  Read about the numerous benefits of grape seed extract.  Who thought this little seed could be so benificial! 

     Grape Seed Extract contains natural bioflavonoids called proanthocyanidins which help strengthen and protect cell membranes from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Catechins, components of Grape Seed Extract, help reduce allergic responses by inhibiting enzymes involved in the formation of histamine (helping reduce symptoms of allergies and excess histamine in the stomach which may lead to further stomach problems).

     Grape Seed Extract provides cardiovascular protection by preventing oxidation of lipoproteins (LDL), making them less likely to stick to blood-vessel walls. It also makes the linings of the arteries more resistant to damage and helps control excessive clotting. GSE strengthens the capillaries ensuring a good supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain and throughout the body. It also affects enzymes that influence blood-fluid balances and therefore may be helpful in lowering blood pressure.

     By protecting and enhancing Vitamins A and C, GSE may also aid in the reduction of wrinkles and vision problems. Recently, researchers discovered that Grape Seed Extract can help to stimulate healthy hair growth by defeating the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that stops the hair follicle growth cycle. [GSE & MSM are a great combination for healthy hair.]

    PCO is the active ingredient in grape seeds here are some really positive effects that it has on the body.

Anti-Inflammatory

One of the first benefits of PCO observed by doctors as early as 1950 was its anti-inflammatory action. This is produced in part by the antioxidant effect, and by inhibiting the release and synthesis of certain compounds that promote inflammation, such as histamine, serine protease, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. PCO selectively binds to the connective tissue of joints, preventing swelling, helping heal damaged tissue, and lessening pain.

Anti-Histamine

The anti-histamine action of PCO is mediated by an inhibiting effect on the enzyme histidine decarboxylase which is responsible for the production of histamine. This is enhanced by PCO’s ability to block hyaluronidase, the enzyme that facilitates the release of histamine into body tissues.

 

Anti-Allergic

This action is related to the antihistamine effect, as well as PCO’s ability to strengthen cell membranes of basophils and mast cells, which contain the allergic chemicals, thus preventing over-reaction or hypersensitivity to pollens and food allergens. Many allergy sufferers have reported significant relief using grape seed extract.

Anti-Ulcer

Ulcers induced or aggravated by stress are known to be related to excessive secretion of histamine in the stomach lining. PCOs help heal ulcers by reducing histamine secretion and by binding to and protecting connective tissue in mucous membranes.

Cardiovascular Disease

Experimental studies have recently discovered that oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a key factor leading to hardening of the arteries and heart disease. The antioxidant effect of Vitamin E has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of this oxidation—and PCO has been shown to be 50 times more potent than vitamin E. PCO has also been shown to prevent the stickiness of blood platelets that can lead to blood clots and strokes. Patients taking grape seed extract PCO have reported reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Recent studies have shown that drinking wine has a protective effect against heart disease (considered the solution to the mystery of how the French population can indulge in a high-fat diet and have one of the world’s lowest incidences of heart disease). And in February of 1995, a study published in “Circulation,” the journal of the American Heart Association, showed that six glasses of grape juice were as effective as two glasses of wine in preventing heart disease. This study offers convincing evidence that PCO from grapes, rather than the alcohol, provide wine’s protective benefits to the circulatory system.

Cancer Prevention

Although not a cure for cancer, experimental evidence has been available for a long time showing that antioxidants greatly reduce the incidence of all types of cancer. One study showed that the risk of developing cancer is 11.4 times greater for those with low levels of the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium. PCO is a more potent antioxident, and also protects cellular DNA from oxidative damage and cell mutations which can lead to cancer. (See “Dosage.”)

 

Teeth and Gums

Dentists and their patients have reported that PCO provides healing and preventive benefits to the teeth and gums, evidently through its anti-inflammatory effects, free radical deactivation, and connective tissue protection.

 

Eyes

Clinical studies have shown that antioxidants can halt cataract progression. PCO has a strong affinity for the portion of the retina that is responsible for visual acuity. It prevents free radical damage and reinforces the collagen structures of the retina. In clinical trials of patients with various types of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, all patients given PCO showed significant improvement following therapy. Health professionals monitoring the effects of PCO have reported that it also has helped in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.

 

Skin Care

PCO products help protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage that leads to wrinkles and skin cancer. Because it stabilizes collagen and elastin, PCO can help improve the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. PCO strengthens the connective tissue of the skin and fat chambers. People taking grape seed extract PCO have noticed that it helps tonify their skin and reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and old scars. There is speculation that cellulite may be a sign of bioflavanoid deficiency.

Nervous System

Some physicians have reported that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have improved while taking PCO. MS is a syndrome of progressive destruction and hardening of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves. Current research indicates that MS may be caused by an allergic or autoimmune reaction. Many studies have demonstrated that patients with MS have reduced activity levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.

The ability of PCO to reduce the progressive symptoms of MS may be due to its potent antioxidant and anti-allergic qualities. Plus, PCO has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it may protect the brain’s nervous tissue from oxidation. This effect may explain why patients taking PCO often report improved mental clarity.

Lungs

Asthma and emphysema have also been found to benefit from the use of PCOs. Asthma is largely caused by an allergic reaction within the bronchial tubes that leads to bronchial constriction and excessive mucous excretion. Due to its ability to inhibit histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, PCO has been found effective in the treatment of asthma.Grape seed extract PCO has also been found to reduce the coughing, wheezing, weakness, mucous and recurring respiratory infections usually associated with emphysema. Apparently, PCO reduces the inflammation and damage to the air sacs of emphysema patients (source).

 

     With all these positive effects on your body; how could you NOT take grape seed extract!???   Looking through some websites; it looks as though this product is also very inexpensive!  

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)