A BBC report on 9 April 2009, cites the rise in worldwide allergies to the increase in ‘westernisation’ of lifestyle and diet http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7989873.stm. Indigenuous peoples and western cultures around the world are being studied, including India, where there is a growing middle class who have adopted a western lifestyle and diet, and it is in this group that allergies have grown. They identify diet and pollution as a major source for this increase in allergies, as those who continued to farm and grow their own food, were unaffected by allergies.
This is neither shocking or surprising, as there have been many studies in the past (notably by Weston A. Price, Pottenger, Sally Fallon), that have recognised the link between a western diet of sugar, salt, refined grains and fats, pasteurised dairy products, additives, preservatives, artificial fertilisers and pesticides and disease.
In my opinion, and from my clinical experience, many people have an overloaded immune system secondary to a dysfunction in their gut caused by the consumption of the above, the exposure to antibiotics both directly and from their food, and other pollutants.
One of the first things that I do with my clients is to take them through a ‘blocking factor checklist’. This allows them and me to see the stressors on their body that are contributing to a breakdown in thier immune system (which is a cause of allergies)
I look at all potential stressors including food, water, electromagnetic stress from computers and phones, mercury in teeth, home and work pollution, use of household and work chemicals, personal care products, and many other factors including mental and emotional factors. All these factors can infiltrate through the gut, skin, or brain and bring a myriad of symptoms including allergies.
Using this checklist along with other tools, I coach my clients to listen to their body and make the changes they need to support their own body to move towards good health, all based around self empowerment, and building a connection with nature – through the food they eat and the lifestyle they choose.
It seems that this model would be very useful when looking at the global problems of allergies and other disease – keeping our focus on working in harmony with nature is the key to all our futures.
[...] Original post by DC Integrated Health | with Damien Clements in Partnership with The Therapy Room [...]
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