In a recent article in the business magazine Bottom Line/Personal, Dr. Leo Galland discusses which foods can help ease the symptoms of allergy sufferers suffering from airborne allergies. Inflammation is a big problem for allergy sufferers. It is an early response from our immune systems. Most of the foods on this list can help relieve inflammation and control your body’s response to allergens like dust, pollen, and mold spores.

According to the interview with Dr. Galland, the following foods help battle airborne allergies:

• Fruits high in vitamin C, an anti-oxidant, may help reduce inflammation. Oranges, strawberries, apples, grapes, and watermelon are recommended fruits. Dr. Galland also recommends eating the skins of red grapes which are loaded with the antioxidant resveratol which has been found to relieve wheezing in some studies.
• Nuts are a great source of vitamin E which can help reduce inflammation. Almonds, Hazelnuts, and peanuts in small, daily servings are beneficial to your health. If you are symptomatic, you could marginally increase your intake to help battle your symptoms.
• Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids help fight inflammation. Examples of these foods include cold-water fish like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts. The article recommends eating two servings of cold-water fish per week.
• Foods that have a high zinc content can fight bacteria and viruses. Oysters, shrimp, crab, tofu, whole grains, and legumes are foods that fit in this category.
• One great way to help your body fight allergies is to drink tea. Green, white, and black teas are full of flavonoids and proteins that help with inflammation and infection. Tea can help boost your immune system.
• Some foods and spices can act as natural decongestants. Horseradish, hot mustard, fennel, anise, and sage stimulate cilia to help break up congestion.

According to the magazine, Dr. Leo Galland is an internist that treats many patients with chronic allergies and he specializes in integrating nutrition and herbs with conventional medicine. He is the founder of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine in New York City.

A recent Vietnamese study has added credence to the idea that parasitic gut worms, such as hookworm, could help in the prevention and treatment of asthma and allergies, reports the web site ScienceDaily in their article Gut Worms May Protect Against House-dust Mite Allergy.

The study, headed up by Dr. Carsten Flohr of the University of Nottingham and Dr. Luc Nguyen Tuyen of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Health Service, is the largest double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial testing the links between gut worm infections and allergic conditions.

A little background on this unusual and somewhat distasteful theory: Experts believe that over millions of years of co-evolution, worms have found ways to suppress the immune responses of their hosts (including humans) in order to prolong their own survival. Resultingly, our immune systems have become so used to this relationship that without gut worms, our immune responses can become unbalanced. With improvements in hygiene, parasitic worms have been nearly eradicated in humans living in developed countries. Some think that that unbalanced immune systems could account for the development of asthma and allergies.

The researchers conducted their study in rural central Vietnam, where two out of three children suffer from hookworm and other gut parasite infections - and where allergies are also extremely rare. The team looked at whether treatments to clear the body of the parasites made it more likely for the children to develop allergic conditions.

The results? The treated children did not demonstrate an increased risk of asthma or eczema, but did exhibit a significantly increased risk of having a positive skin allergy test to dust mites and cockroach allergen.

While the findings suggest that gut worms do have the potential to tone down human immune responses, further research is necessary to determine exactly how gut worm infection prevents allergic reactions. As Dr. Flohr puts it, "The next step is to understand exactly how and when gut parasites program the human immune system in a way that protects against allergic sensitization, and for such studies, follow-up from birth will be essential."

Note: It's important to remember that gut parasites can cause severe disease and are a major cause of iron deficiency in developing countries.

As the country knows, the Atlanta area, home to AchooAllergy.com's headquarters and storefront, recently experienced major flooding that touched the lives of almost everyone living in the region.

Sadly, flash floods claimed the lives of several individuals. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. Others experienced severe damage to their homes due to flooding. Many, many others sustained more minor damage to their basements as water that had nowhere to go seeped into their homes.

Cleanup attempts began even as the rain continued to pour down, but the repercussions of water damage are long-lasting. And it's crucial that water-logged floors and walls are dealt with properly and quickly in order to avoid more long-term problems.

Here is a checklist of items that can help in the aftermath of flood damage:

• An air dryer like the Dri-Eaz Ace TurboDryer helps dry out water-damaged areas by directing targeted air movement into problem areas.
• Dehumidifiers are also imperative, whether your situation requires an industrial strength unit like the Ebac CD35P Dehumidifier or a more traditional unit, such as these Danby dehumidifiers.
• Lastly, it's very important to stay on top of mold problems that could develop. Use M-1 House Wash or Vital Oxide Mold Remover and Disinfectant to clean soiled surfaces. Then, prevent mold from forming by sealing these areas with products like M-1 Sure Cote Mold and Mildew Resistant Sealant or Allersearch AllerMold.

What have you learned from your personal experience cleaning up after a flood?

As the weather starts to turn colder, many of us will be turning on the heat in our homes. The dry air caused by heating systems (especially forced-air heating systems--the most common type of heating system in the United States) can bring on a number of problems for allergy sufferers. Dry air can irritate nasal passageways and lead to sinus infections or sinusitis. Dry air increases mucus production which can pose dangers for asthmatic individuals.

Making sure the air in your home maintains the proper level of humidity is one of the best ways to alleviate these concerns. Humidifiers introduce moisture to dry air and create an environment that’s healthier for allergy sufferers.

Those who suffer from chronic sinusitis or frequent sinus infections know that even a small amount of time spent in dry air can create symptoms such as irritated nasal membranes and sinus headaches. Even if you do not suffer regularly sinus problems, allergy sufferers are more likely than those without allergies to develop sinus problems.

Environmental control is an excellent way to hold off recurring sinus problems and to prevent sinus problems from occurring in the first place. The Mayo Clinic states that the goal of treating chronic sinusitis is to “reduce sinus inflammation, keep your nasal passages draining, eliminate the underlying cause, and reduce the number of sinus flare-ups you have.”

Humidifiers are helpful in each of these areas. In fact, the Mayo Clinic goes on to suggest humidification as a method of prevention for both chronic and acute sinusitis: “Use a humidifier. If the air in your home is dry or if you have forced hot air heat, adding moisture to the air may help prevent sinusitis.”

The best health effect of healthy sinuses is that the nasal passages’ normal function of flushing away allergens remains unhindered. Moist mucous membranes, as opposed to those that are irritated from too dry indoor air, allow your nose to properly expel dirt, bacteria, and other particles.

The autumnal equinox is almost upon us (it officially occurs on 22-23 September, according to Wikipedia. While this heralds relief from sweltering summer days, it also means new concerns for allergy sufferers.

One of the most potent allergens in the fall is ragweed, a pollen from the sunflower family. Each ragweed plant produces a whopping one billion pollen grains per season. And, the grains can travel as far as 400 miles because they are so lightweight.

The good news for us in Atlanta is that this last week of almost incessant rain will hopefully do a lot to wash the pollen away. However, it's still a good idea to defend against this pervasive allergen.

Here's a brief checklist of ways to minimize reactions to ragweed:

• As tempting as it is to throw windows open during these cooler days, keep windows closed to keep the pollen out of your home. When you do open windows, be sure to use window filters.
• Keep car windows closed too.
• Consider removing shoes at the door and having guests do the same; this will lessen the amount of pollen tracked all over the house.
• Use an air purifier to help capture the pollen that will inevitably get into your house.
• Check pollen counts and stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Peak pollen counts usually occur between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon.
• Practice overall allergen avoidance. It's important to keep your Total Allergen Load as low as possible, so while your system is being bombarded with ragweed pollen, make sure to minimize your exposure to other allergens. Avoid exposure to chemicals and use allergy relief bedding.

AchooAllergy.com has teamed up with Alen Corp. to make a special offering to coincide with the Alen Flu Prevention Program. If you buy an Alen T100 desktop air purifier between now and October 31, 2009, you will receive a one year supply of the new Silver Ion HEPA Filters.

The new Silver Ion HEPA filter eliminates up 99% of bacteria, up to 50% of viruses that cause influenza and 99% of airborne allergens. The new HEPA filter is coated with silver, an eco-friendly and non-toxic substance that provides anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral protection. The Silver Ion HEPA filter is more affordable than other air sterilization methods and is extremely efficient when compared to ultra violet technology alone. Since this filter is anti-microbial, germs will not develop inside the unit and prevents bacteria from being blown into the air.

Benefits of the Silver Ion HEPA filter include:

Environmentally friendly and non-toxic to humans

Anti-microbial which prevents germs from being released back into the air

Kills 99% of over 650 types of bacteria

Traps 99% of dust, dust mites, allergens, pollen, pet dander, and large sized particles

Effective at eliminating the growth and killing 50% of viruses

Affordably priced

Alen Corp. knows that now more than ever, people are searching for new ways to win the fight against germs, bacteria, and viruses. Silver is a natural agent in this fight and has been used medicinally for centuries.

New research indicates that a commonly held belief that children who attend daycare have lower rates of asthma and allergies later in life has been disproved.

Medical News Today quotes Dr. Johan C. de Jongste of Erasmus University in the Netherlands, "We found no evidence for a protective or harmful effect of daycare on the development of asthma symptoms, allergic sensitization, or airway hyper-responsiveness at the age of eight years."

In fact, daycare attendance contributed to a higher risk of respiratory infections and wheezing in the first year compared to children who did not attend daycare. Additionally, having older siblings caused earlier infections.

The researchers followed about 4,000 Dutch children over the course of eight years. Parents filled out questionnaires during pregnancy, at three months, twelve months, and then every year until the children were eight years old. At that point, most of the children underwent testing for allergies.

Far from being protective, early darycare may actually pose problems. As Dr. de Jongste sums up the research's findings, "Early daycare merely seems to shift the burden of respiratory morbidity to an earlier age where it is more troublesome than at a later age. Early daycare should not be promoted for reasons of preventing asthma and allergy."

In How Air Pollution Can Damage the Heart, Time Magazine reports on new findings that demonstrate how air pollution affects heart health.

University of Michigan scientists, headed up by Dr. Robert Brook, discovered that breathing in bad air can increase blood pressure and cause unhealthy changes in blood vessels. These changes can last hours or even days.

Participants in the study were exposed to the same amount of particulates and ozone that would be found near local highways in two cities, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Toronto, Canada. Compared to those who inhaled filtered air, breathers of polluted air showed higher blood-pressure readings shortly after exposure. In addition, their blood vessels were impaired as long as 24 hours later. This type of prolonged high blood pressure is a risk factor for both stroke and heart disease.

Although it was previously known that fine particles in the air were associated with higher rates of heart disease and stroke, it was not known how the damage was done or what components of pollution were the most damaging.

The study's findings, however, suggest that particulates are worse than ozone and that two processes are likely occurring as unhealthy air is inhaled: Firstly, the central nervous system experiences changes as particulate matter is breathed in, causing the body to switch to a fight-or-fight mode. This raises blood pressure and heart rate.

Secondly, even after the pollution is less concentrated and blood pressure returns to normal, the particles which can lodge deep within the lungs induce inflammation. This inflammation can stiffen blood vessels and lead to longer-term damage to the flexibility of the blood vessels. These weakened blood vessels also cause an increased risk of heart disease or stroke.

The good news is for most healthy urban residents, the blood pressure changes aren't dangerous. However, Brook points out, "It's plausible that if someone has underlying hypertension or coronary disease, then these changes in blood pressure and blood-vessel function might be exaggerated and might even trigger a heart attack. The levels at which we encounter these particles today is still dangerous to people who are unhealthy and at high risk."

Still, the air in average North American cities contains about 14 micrograms of particles per cubic meter of air. This is much better than a decade ago because of clean-air laws. Levels deemed dangerous by the Environmental Protection Agency are between 151 and 200 micrograms. Cities like Los Angeles, Detroit, and Pittsburgh reach dangerous levels on many days.

Many people who live in polluted cities or who live near highways find relief from purifying the air in their homes with an air purifier. This is especially important for young children and individuals with respiratory problems like allergies and asthma.

When the time came earlier this summer for AchooAllergy.com to replace the roof on our building just north of Atlanta, we had a great discussion about how we could save some money and help the environment. After that meeting, founder and CEO, Cade McDonald, made the decision to keep going green by choosing to install a white roof. Installation of the new roof began earlier this week.

The new white roof is expected to slash electricity bills for air conditioning, while at the same time the roof helps our company do our part to fight Global Warming.

According to this LA Times article from 2008, some proponents of white or “light-colored” roofs say that a 1,000-square-foot roof--the average size on an American home--offsets 10 metric tons of planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere if dark-colored shingles or coatings are replaced with white material. We estimate our new white roof to be close to 4,000 square feet.

In a more recent New York Times article, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, a Nobel laureate in Physics, has promoted the idea for cool roofs at home and abroad. “Make it white,” he advised a television audience on Comedy Central’s "Daily Show” last month. Some have laughed at this notion, but white roofs can mean a big savings in energy costs to a small company like AchooAllergy.com.

The scientist Mr. Chu calls his hero, Art Rosenfeld, a member of the California Energy Commission who has been campaigning for cool roofs since the 1980s, argues that turning all of the world’s roofs “light” over the next 20 years could save the equivalent of 24 billion metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions.

“That is what the whole world emitted last year,” Mr. Rosenfeld said. “So, in a sense, it’s like turning off the world for a year.”

In the most recent company newsletter, AllerAir’s featured article deals with the myths and facts of air purifiers and carbon filtration. I do not have a link to the article, but the following information is important for people to know when buying an air purifier. This information is excerpted from that AllerAir newsletter.

Myth #1 - "Air Purifiers are not built to remove airborne odor. Any company claiming otherwise is lying."

The problem with most wide-spread myths is that they tend to be mixed with some truth. That's the biggest problem in combating this statement. True, most air purifiers are not built to remove odors. An air cleaner equipped with only a HEPA filtration system can't possibly deal with odors. In fact, there are so few units that can do this effectively that consumers may not have even heard of carbon filtration. To break though this barrier, we like to refer to the long-standing track record of carbon. In fact, carbon has been used for thousands of years in water and air filtration and most notably in modern times, for military gas masks, in high-level scientific research facilities and in hospitals.

Myth #2 - "No residential air cleaner can handle a complex issue like tobacco or forest fire smoke."

In this case, only the right kind of air filtration system can effectively tackle these tough issues. Many manufacturers, who do offer some amount of carbon in their residential units, don't offer nearly enough carbon to do the job. That's why AllerAir's special smoke units are unsurpassed at dealing with these difficult IAQ challenges. The amount of carbon we offer, as well as the depth of our filters is unmatched in the industry.

Myth #3 - "Units which claim to clean odor actually emit ozone and are harmful to your health."

True, ozone technology poses a serious health risk, that's why AllerAir never uses ozone and why some states are banning it outright in residential units. It's important to be clear that AllerAir carbon air filtration does not in any way emit ozone or any other harmful substance. In fact, it's very natural, made from materials like coconut shell. It's a tried and true filtration method that's reliable, safe and effective.

In summary, carbon is the safest and most effective air filtration system for chemicals, gases and odors. Even the most expensive HEPA-only unit on the market cannot deal with these airborne pollutants. While some air cleaners may include a small amount of carbon, only a unit with pounds of carbon and a substantial carbon depth can truly combat odors and chemicals.

Melissa Cassera, a wellness expert and frequent contributor to tv, radio, and print media all over the East Coast of the U.S., recently featured our Allergy Armor blanket on a segment for Good Morning Maryland. Cassera has a popular wellness blog that provides great advice on a wide range of topics. It is definitely worth bookmarking and checking on a weekly or even daily basis.

The segment featured Melissa’s tips for making bedtime for children headed back to school easier for parents. By following her tips, you might be able to get your children to bed earlier and without the usual hassle and crying!

You can read the full story and watch the video of Melissa’s appearance by checking out this story page on the ABC2 News web site. The video is posted on the upper left hand side of the page. Melissa’s segment and AchooAllergy do not appear until minute 34—but you can fast forward through the video or watch the entire clip for other Back to School health tips.