Healthy Avondale News

We all know that magnesium is required to help build strong bones, but many don’t know that the body needs adequate levels of this trace mineral to function properly. Magnesium in food is lost when it is refined, so chances are if you aren’t taking mineral supplements then you are very likely low and could easily be deficient. If you have asthma, find out how increasing your intake can make a big difference to your general health and fitness, offer asthma relief and even prevent allergy and asthma symptoms.

The fact that magnesium is required by at least three hundred different enzymes found in the body and that most cells and tissues require it to maintain health is discussed in an article in American Chiropractic. Low magnesium levels in the body can cause many diseases not just asthma and allergies. Studies have also found that deficiencies can also cause diabetes, mitral valve prolapse, osteoporosis, migraines, insomnia, noise sensitivity, nervousness, depression, TMJ problems, muscle aches, twitching, weakness, fibromyalgia, ADD and more.

Almost all foods we eat are refined in some way and don’t contain magnesium, those whole foods that do, will lose it during cooking. Drinking alcohol, pop, and coffee and consuming salt causes an additional loss of this mineral even if you make a point to eat magnesium rich, raw foods like nuts and green vegetables. This is why it’s so important to take magnesium supplements.

Allergy induced asthma is one of the most common forms of asthma that affects about 90% of people who suffer from this condition. In case of an allergic reaction, the body produces histamines that may cause inflammation and irritation while trying to get rid of the irritant, but when it comes to asthma this reaction reaches the airways making it hard for the person to breathe.

It is believed that this affliction is directly connected to over exposure to irritants, another consequence of modern live. Allergy induced asthma is more likely to affect low-income individuals, especially children (the rate of extrinsic asthma is greater among African-Americans and Hispanics) since the chance of exposure to allergens such as cockroach, rat droppings or chemicals is higher.

An asthma diagnosis is established after testing one’s breathing capacity using a peak flow meter. The allergens that trigger the asthma are identified after another series of tests.

The most common allergens are: pollen, fungi, dust mites, cigarette smoke, pet dander and pest feces. In treating allergy induced asthma it is advised to avoid its triggers: avoid going out early in the morning during summer because that’s when plants release their pollen, vacuum frequently including the bedding, avoid leaving your laundry to dry outside and so on.

A clean home is a happy home, or so the old saying goes. But is it a healthy home? That all depends on how you clean it! EPA studies have shown air pollution levels inside the home to be two to five times higher than outdoors. Proper cleaning can help reduce the pollutants and improve the health of your home, which can in turn reduce allergies and asthma symptoms and lower your risk of long-term health problems associated with polluted air. Here are a few tips to get you started:

First, take a look at your cleaning products. Only choose cleaners with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which have been shown to be carcinogenic and are in most cleansers, disinfectants, and air fresheners. Avoid detergents and all-purpose cleaners that contain the sudsing agents diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA), and the hormone disruptor alkyphenol ethoxylates (APEs). For a real “laundry list” of what to avoid, and how to replace those toxic cleaners, check out the Organic Consumers Association website. Remember, VOC gases can leak into the air even from closed containers, so don’t leave those bottles sitting around on the shelf. You can dispose of most hazardous household chemicals at Clean Harbors in Sparks. Then be sure to clean up your cleaning supplies!