Do You Have Seasonal Allergies ~ Got the Sniffles?

Are you going through boxes of tissues weekly, finding yourself consumed with congestion and sneezing fits and wondering if it will ever end? 

Here at The Plain Truth Your Health Today Online, we want to share health information that is not only off the beaten path and interesting, but that can actually help you. 

Here is a compilation of a great videos on the topic that will hopefully result in some understanding but more importantly, RELIEF!

What exactly are allergies?

Dr. Berg Shares the Missing Link Connecting Your Allergies to Lack of Folate

He further explains how natural histamines can help...

Here is a great acupressure technique to help ease allergy symptoms and drain your sinus'. 

Maybe herbal relief also will help...

Feeling the sniffles? Check out these herbs for allergy relief

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Most people often rely on over-the-counter medications for addressing allergic reactions. But there are some natural herbal remedies that you can try to provide relief from allergies, and minus the potential side effects. These include the following:

Mullein

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is used nowadays for less serious conditions like allergies, sore throat and inflamed tonsils. But according to functional medicine specialist Dr. Sobia Khan, the herb has been a go-to remedy for respiratory issues centuries before antibiotics were developed. Mullein's soothing properties make it a "friend" to the lungs.

Mullein contains antioxidants, such as vitamin C and flavonoids that protect cells from free radicals. It is also good for the lymph glands, a bonus for the immune system during allergy season. Moreover, the herb also possesses antiseptic and antiviral properties that stop pathogens in their tracks.

Goldenrod

Often considered a weed, the perennial goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) shouldn't be dismissed as such because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. It is well-known as a decongestant – effectively relieving blockages in the upper respiratory tract. This quality makes goldenrod a good choice for allergies, influenza, sinusitis or the common cold.

S. canadensis owes its medicinal properties to beneficial plant compounds it contains. Flavonoids like kaempferol and quercetin protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Meanwhile, saponins in goldenrod enhance the immune system and help it ward off harmful pathogens. (Related: Stop spring allergies with these 5 easy-to-source herbs.)

Stinging nettle

Aspiring gardeners often link stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) with a painful encounter. However, the Arizona-based Sinus & Allergy Wellness Center considers it one of the most effective herbs for allergic rhinitis. In fact, stinging nettle has been used back in Ancient Greece for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Outside its painful quality, stinging nettle is a powerful antioxidant, astringent, antimicrobial and analgesic. It can reduce allergy-related inflammation without producing any adverse side effects. As a bonus, the leaves of stinging nettle can be cooked and added to salads, soups or stews – much like most green, leafy vegetables.

Horehound

A bitter herb of the mint family, horehound (Marubium vulgare) is often used in cough drops that help loosen mucus – making it one of the most ingested herbs in the United States. Given its potential to help suppress a nasty cough, the herb also shows potential to treat seasonal allergies. Horehound can relieve stuffiness, so it's ideal to take it when the allergy-related sniffles hit.

M. vulgare's medicinal properties stem from its plant compounds, such as trace amounts of volatile oils, alkaloids, flavonoids and diterpenes. Marrubiin, the most active diterpene in horehound, is responsible for the herb's expectorant properties. Moreover, the bitter-tasting marrubiin increases the flow of saliva and gastric juice – stimulating the appetite as a result.

Rosemary

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is more than just a cooking herb: It also helps address inflammation caused by allergic reactions, thanks to its bioactive compound rosmarinic acid. One study published in International Immunopharmacology expounded on this anti-inflammatory effect.

According to the study authors, rosmarinic acid greatly decreased the inflammation in mucus cells and hyper-secretion of mucus cells in an animal model of asthma. They also found that the plant compound reduced the number of goblet cells that trigger mucus hyper-secretion. Goblet cells often multiply in response to different factors such as cigarette smoke, particles and toxins.

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Colon Cancer, Polyps, and Prevention

 Dr. Mercola reported back in 2019 that colon cancer was on the rise. Many other outlets are reporting the same thing in recent news. What is going on and how can we decrease our chances of getting colorectal cancer?

First and foremost, one of the healthiest things we can do for our bodies is to adhere to God's Food Law's as they were put in place by our Creator for a reason. Adam and Eve were given these food laws! Doing research on this topic and educating oneself on a preventative lifestyle for all cancers is always a good idea. 

The following featured posts do not necessarily express the views of The Plain Truth. We are sharing other opinions and will sometimes offer a commentary on anything we may disagree with. 

Here is Dr. Mercola's column: 

Colorectal cancer in younger adults on the rise

Colorectal cancer is often thought of as a disease that affects older adults, but new statistics say otherwise. Rates of colorectal cancer in men and women under the age of 50 have risen in recent years, and scientists are concerned the spike may continue. When diagnosed early, colorectal cancer is curable. With a healthy diet and physical activity, up to 50% of cases are even preventable. But lack of awareness in younger patients may be playing a large role in the increase.

Not only have researchers seen a spike in the number of cases in men and women in their 20s and 30s, but they believe the increases are accelerating. Dr. Darren Brenner, lead author of a colorectal cancer study published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open, said, “We thought that this trend would slow down or level off after people first noticed it a few years ago. But every year we keep seeing the increase in colorectal cancer among young people, and it is very alarming.”

In the study, Brenner and his colleagues found an increase of 3.47% in colorectal cancer rates among Canadian men under 50, between 2006 and 2015. Between 2010 and 2015, rates among women under the age of 50 increased by 4.45%. Researchers believe colon and rectal cancers may be decreasing among older adults due to increased awareness and use of screening tests, such as colonoscopies. Colonoscopies are able to recognize and remove colon polyps before cancer has a chance to develop.

Colorectal cancer is largely linked to lifestyle habits, so like many types of cancer, it is often preventable. Research suggests that only 5 to 10% of cancer cases are due to genetic defects, while the rest are linked to environment and lifestyle factors. Making healthy choices today can help significantly lower your risk of colorectal cancer, along with other types of cancer and serious health issues. Top tips to help prevent colon cancer include:

1. Eat more vegetables — Vegetables contain an array of antioxidants and other disease-fighting compounds that are very difficult to get anywhere else. They’re also one of the best forms of dietary fiber. Studies have repeatedly shown that people with higher vegetable intake have lower rates of cancer.
2. Eat more fiber — Dietary fiber has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, particularly incident colorectal adenoma and distal colon cancer. Further, for every 10 grams of fiber you add to your daily diet, your risk of colon cancer decreases by 10%.
3. Optimize your vitamin D levels — Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Research has shown those with higher blood levels of vitamin D were less likely to develop colorectal tumors.
4. Avoid processed meats — The nitrates found in processed meats are frequently converted into nitrosamines, which are clearly associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
5. Be knowledgeable about red meat consumption — Research suggests that people who eat the most red meat (in one study this was 5 ounces a day) have a 24% greater risk of colorectal cancer than those who eat the least.
6. Exercise — Studies suggest physically active men and women have about a 30 to 40% reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer compared to those who are inactive.
7. Maintain a healthy weight and control belly fat — Studies have linked obesity to an increased risk for about a dozen different cancers, including cancer of the colon.
8. Limit your alcohol intake and quit smoking — Both excessive alcohol intake and smoking are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

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The Dailymail.com even covered the topic this past March of 2023:

Mystery of colon cancer epidemic among young people: Rates have doubled among under-55s since the 1990s — and experts don't know why

"Experts are not sure what is behind the shift, but unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyles have all been blamed for the higher rates.

But this may not explain why other cancers have remained flat or continued to tumble in under-55s at the same time, scientists say.

Cancers of the colon and rectum are the third most common type in the US and the third leading cause of death of both men and women.

It is most often diagnosed in people aged 65 to 74. Early warning signs including blood in feces, abdominal pain and unintended weight loss.

These are often missed in younger age groups, with doctors instead believing they are warning signs of another illness instead of cancer associated with the elderly.

Dr Rebecca Segel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author, said: 'We know rates are increasing in young people.

'But it's alarming to see how rapidly the whole patient population is shifting younger, despite shrinking numbers in the overall population.

'The trend toward more advanced disease in people of all ages is also surprising and should motivate everyone 45 and older to get screened'.

The truth of it is, we all have cancer cells in our body, it is just when they start teaming up and clustering where we have a problem. Here are some excellent videos from Dr. Berg on the truth about polyps and preventative actions measures to lessen the potential of cancers and that increase the function of the body to fight cancer cells."

Dr. Berg explains cancer like this: cancer is a dysfunction of your mitochondria (inside your cells) it changes and starts to adapt to an ancient metabolic pathway that involves fermentation of its fuel; it loses its mortality and keeps reproducing and it is also a sugar hog. When they do a pet they scan areas of higher levels of glucose metabolism.

He says that lowering any inflammation in the body is paramount to cancer prevention and highlights how important your diet is which obviously is a main contributor to inflammation. 

As you can see and hear, there are many triggers that lead someone to being more susceptible to different types of cancers and there are so many people suffering that have followed a very straight and narrow diet and lifestyle. The Plain Truth is that God has given us great help in how to live an amazing life! He loves us. (John 14:21) He wants the best for us. He wants to bless us and make our food amazing (Isaiah 1:19) and heal our land (2Chron 7:14) and take our sickness away (Exodus 23:25) and set us high above all the nations of the earth! (Deut 28:1)

God wants the best for His Family, for us, for we are His children! Here are some featured writings from The Plain Truth on His dietary laws. 

Does the New Testament Abolish Meat Restrictions? Clean vs Unclean

Is All Animal Flesh Good Food?

 
 

The Shocking Link Between Your Liver and Your Feet

When you watch the old black and white movies of the 30's, 40's and 50's, you will hear often by the actors, "it is time for my liver pill!", or "dear, did you take your liver pill, you look a little pale". They were on to something! It is said that our liver is the hub of our health. Eighty percent of our hormones are filtered through the liver and insulin resistance has been proven to originate from a compromised liver for various reasons...but there is more to the liver than you might think. 

Dr. Berg discusses how gout, varicose ankle veins, burning on the bottom of your feet, toe fungus, cracked heels, edema, (and more), reveal issues with your liver. 

Dr. Berg also has a great video on How to get rid of a fatty liver, here

Liver: Anatomy and Functions

Anatomy of the liver

The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.

Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds.

There are 2 distinct sources that supply blood to the liver, including the following:

• Oxygenated blood flows in from the hepatic artery

• Nutrient-rich blood flows in from the hepatic portal vein

The liver holds about one pint (13%) of the body's blood supply at any given moment. The liver consists of 2 main lobes. Both are made up of 8 segments that consist of 1,000 lobules (small lobes). These lobules are connected to small ducts (tubes) that connect with larger ducts to form the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct transports the bile made by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) via the common bile duct.

Functions of the liver

The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates the nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body or that are nontoxic. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include the following:

• Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion

• Production of certain proteins for blood plasma

• Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body

• Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy) and to balance and make glucose as needed 

• Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins

• Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)

• Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)

• Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances

• Regulating blood clotting

• Resisting infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream

• Clearance of bilirubin, also from red blood cells. If there is an accumulation of bilirubin, the skin and eyes turn yellow. 

When the liver has broken down harmful substances, its by-products are excreted into the bile or blood. Bile by-products enter the intestine and leave the body in the form of feces. Blood by-products are filtered out by the kidneys, and leave the body in the form of urine. (Source HopkinsMedicine.org)

The Plain Truth is, when in doubt, look to the liver and find ways to support your liver!