Allergy - Are Your Asthma and Allergies Caused by A Low Immune System?

Many people who suffer from asthma and allergies don't realize it, but a low immune system is very likely at the root of their problems. Medical experts agree that a lowered or improperly functioning immune system can and does result in several diseases such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer to name just a few. The body's immune systems first line of defense against disease are barriers that prevent antigens, which are large protein molecules of bacteria, viruses, chemicals and other substances that appear harmful from entering your body. The barriers include your skin, mucus, cough reflex, stomach acid and even enzymes in your tears, which destroy toxins. If the antigen or toxin manages to get past these barriers, then the immune system launches a second line of defense, found in your blood. They are white blood cells, which perform a protective function by seeking out and destroying foreign protein antigens. If you suffer from a low immune system it is important to avoid things that suppress or act to destroy it, such as a high cholesterol diet, heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), fat, alcohol, fried foods, food additives, obesity, industrial pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, stress, prescription drugs, too much sunlight, tobacco, and radiation. Unfortunately, there is no "magic bullet" that you can take to quickly repair your immune system, but there are several ways to help build and support it by providing your body with proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate rest, relaxation and maintaining a positive mental attitude. Taking the following dietary steps will help protect and build your immune system: 1. Limit saturated and trans fats, food additives and alcohol 2. Take a good quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily 3. Ensure your diet includes adequate protein 4. Take 1000 mg of Vitamin C daily. 5. Eat 3 to 4 servings of vegetables daily. 6. Eat 3 to 4 servings of legumes weekly. 7. Eat 3 to 4 servings of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods weekly The length of time required to re-build a low immune system of course will vary depending on your individual situation and environmental exposure to immune system suppressants. This is not an overnight process, for some people it can take three months to two years. Obviously, the higher your exposure has been to immuno-suppressants, the longer it will take to build your immune system. Children tend to heal much more quickly than adults or the elderly. People with allergies and asthma will find that their asthma and allergy symptoms become less frequent and less severe when their immune systems are strong. It's important to avoid using allergy and asthma drugs, which have toxic side effects and act to lower the immune system. There are natural supplements that safely and effectively eliminate allergy and asthma symptoms. To find out more please visit http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief .com/ Susan Millar is a former asthma and allergy sufferer. She is a researcher and the author of "The Dramatic Asthma Relief Report", based on extensive research from internationally respected medical publications about genuinely effective alternative treatment for asthma & allergies, which helped her to eliminate her asthma and allergies. This book has helped many other sufferers worldwide to do the same. To download your free Asthma Prevention Report in pdf format, please visit: http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/asthma-prevention.htm Please visit her website and blog for more asthma information: http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/ Asthma Treatment Blog Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Millar Allergy - Seven Steps Towards an Allergy Free Home 1. Take your shoes off when you enter your home. Pesticides, pollen and more can get on your shoes and then be transferred to carpets. 2. Idle your car in the driveway or street if you must. Never idle a car in an attached garage! Fumes can seep into the home. Install a carbon monoxide detector in the closest room to the garage for extra safety precautions. 3. Smokers can smoke outside. Smoke travels through a home, so smoking in one particular room is not a healthy alternative. Chemicals from cigarette smoke can remain in an environment for up to 10 years. Smoking in one room of a house is like asking to swim in the un-chlorinated side of the pool. It just doesn't work that way. 4. Use non-toxic cleaning products instead of chemical brands. Toxic ingredients to avoid are chlorine, ammonia, methylene, chloride, phenol, formaldehyde, cresol, and xylene. The fumes from these products can stay on surfaces for days until you absorb them into your skin or breathe them into your lungs. Toxic cleaning products is the #1 reason children end up in emergency rooms. 5. Never mix household cleaning products. The combination of chlorine bleach with an ammonia cleanser. It will give off a toxic gas that is a severe respiratory irritant. 6. Do not let pets in the bedrooms. All pets have dander...and it can be an allergen. We usually spend 6-8 breathing in the bedroom. Keep the bedroom as allergy-free as possible! An air purifier would be a bonus here. Your body needs a chance to rest without having to fight to breathe at the same time! 7. Cover pillows and mattresses with 100% cotton pillow and bedcovers. They are more breathable and product less allergens than plastic and polyester. We can't choose when we want to breathe. We have to breathe every minute of the day. Shouldn't we be able to breathe clean air indoors?