Let's Talk Getting Healthy: BACK TO SCHOOL TIME ... ARE YOU READY?

Okay,maybe that is a bit premature, but it is not too early to start preparing for it. What I am talking about is the allergies and colds that seem to accompany the beginning of classes. Every year during the beginning of the school year, or following summer vacation, we see many children/students who seem to be overcome by allergies or who seem to catch the common cold.

There are many reasons for this, first, the kids have spent all summer eating all kinds of sugary foods, which lowers their immune function.

Second, the air-conditioning units in the schools, that have been off all summer are turned on, and all the dust, mold and other debris is blown into the air for our children to breathe. I believe that the best defense is a good offense, so now's the time to help prepare our kids for this onslaught of symptoms.

These symptoms, range from runny noses, itchy eyes, cough, sore throat, asthma, along with extreme fatigue. Some kids even experience ADD and ADHD when introduced into this environment. Most parents just assume that their child's allergies are flaring up due to outdoor pollens. There's been lots of research done on sick school syndrome, if you would like more information on this topic, I encourage you to visit Dr. Doris Rapp's website.

So what can we do to assist our kids so that they don't have to be plagued by the symptoms? As I mentioned, the best defense is a good offense.

Now is the time to start doing things to stimulate their immune function such as:

1. Decrease the amount of sugar, dairy-including milk, cheese, and ice cream, refined flour products, greasy foods, along with foods containing chemicals, dyes, and artificial coloring.

2. Increase their water intake to half their body weight in ounces, per day.

3. Start them on a basic nutritional program, if they're not already on one. This would include a multivitamin/multi-mineral, vitamin C, calcium/magnesium and I recommend our mangosteen product.

If your child is prone to allergies, in addition to the above mentioned supplements, I would also include:

1. A natural antihistamine such as antronex( standard process), D-Hist, or consult your natural healthcare provider for a product that they utilize.

2. A probiotic to re-establish healthy bacterial flora in the gut, due to excessive sugar in the diet.

3. A broad spectrum, digestive enzyme, may also be helpful if the above-mentioned products only partially relieve the symptoms.

4. If sinuses are problem, the use of a Neti pot, nasal irrigation treatment may also prove helpful.

If you take the time to make these changes now, take the stress off their bodies before they are put into that toxic environment, you can save yourself and them a lot of grief later.

If you wait too long, and your child does come home with any of the above-mentioned symptoms, I recommend that you take them to your natural healthcare provider. They will help diagnose the cause of the allergy and provide you with a specific treatment plan.

I would be happy to answer any questions for you regarding this topic or any other health issue that you have a question about.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and let's proceed into the fall, allergy and symptom-free.

~Speak truthfully with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope.~