Food Allergies Got You Down? Your Essential Guide to Allergy-Friendly Alternatives

March 14, 2019

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/food-allergies-got-you-down-heres-your-essential-jill-c-carnahan-md/

Food Allergies Got You Down? Here’s Your Essential Guide to Allergy-Friendly Alternatives

Living with food allergies can sometimes feel like a curse. Allergies require constant vigilance and lots of explaining. It can almost make eating seem like a chore. And it can be a bummer to explain that you can’t dig into that pizza at the Super Bowl party. It can also feel pretty lonely.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
No one should be defined by their allergies. And going out with your friends shouldn’t have to be a stressful experience. So it’s time to get creative! I’ll show you how you or your loved one can enjoy mealtime again with tips on how to avoid the most common allergy-triggering foods and what you can replace them with.

Most Common Food Allergies

In the U.S., about 4% of adults and 8% of children suffer from food allergies, costing about $25 billion every year. And the numbers keep growing. There are over 170 known allergy-triggering food substances (also known as allergens), but scientists have found that only eight of them cause 90% of food-allergy reactions.

We’ll go into more detail about each of the eight most common allergens and the alternatives you can use to make safe (and still delicious) dishes. Below you’ll find a cheat sheet of my favorite allergy substitutions followed by a more detailed look into each:

Instead of This…Use This Cow’s Milk Rice, Almond, Coconut, or homemade nut milk Homemade nut milk recipe:

Blend ½ cup of raw nuts or seeds with 1 cup of water until smooth

EggsEner-G Egg Replacer, mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, or ground flaxseedsPeanutsTree nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and pecans (maybe), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and sesame seedsTree NutsPeanuts (maybe), pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and sesame seedsSoyBeans, lentils, quinoa, almond milk, coconut milk, green peas, soy-free vegan butter and yogurt, other legumes and grainsWheatGluten-free flours and grains, such as flours made with: coconut, almond, oat, rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, teff, arrowroot, tapioca bean, and nuts and seedsFish (Finned)Shellfish, eggs, dairy, other types of meat, high-protein vegetables and legumes like lentils, beans, and broccoliFish oil alternatives: flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soy oil, canola oil

Shellfish Finned fish, mollusks, eggs, dairy, other types of meat, high-protein vegetables and legumes like lentils, beans, and broccoliFish oil alternatives: flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soy oil, canola oil

Milk

Cow milk allergy is the most common type of allergy among young children and infants, affecting between 2 and 7.5% of them. Fortunately, most tend to outgrow it. The likelihood of a child outgrowing milk allergy depends on the level of cow’s milk antibodies in the child’s blood – the higher the antibody levels, the more likely it is for the allergy to continue into adulthood.

To replace milk, you can use dairy-free alternatives, such as rice, almond, coconut, or homemade nut milk. Homemade nut milk can be made by blending ½ cup of raw nuts or seeds with 1 cup of water. Many of these options taste great, are affordable, and are easy to find!

Eggs

Eggs are so commonly used in our foods that it can be a challenge to avoid them. It is the second most common food allergy in children after milk, affecting 0.5 to 2.5% of children.

And avoiding eggs is not an easy task. People with egg allergy can be accidentally exposed to them, especially at restaurants or bakeries where an egg-free item can easily come into contact with another item that contains eggs.

But being allergic to eggs doesn’t mean you have to settle for tasteless muffins or other baked goods! While you may not be able to eat egg-focused dishes, there are plenty of egg substitutes, like Ener-G Egg Replacer, mashed banana, ground flaxseeds, and unsweetened applesauce.

Peanuts

Have you noticed that schools near you are banning peanut products?

Peanut allergy deserves special attention because it accounts for a majority of severe food-related allergic reactions, including death. Not only is peanut allergy a growing problem, you can’t outgrow it, and even tiny amounts of peanuts can trigger a reaction in highly sensitive people.

Despite its name, peanuts are actually legumes, not nuts. So even if you can’t enjoy peanut butter, there are many options made of other types of nuts that’ll make your sandwich taste almost as good, like almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew, and pecan butter.

Tree Nuts

Unfortunately for some of you with peanut allergy, you could also be allergic to tree nuts. In one large study examining peanut allergy, 86% of individuals with peanut allergy were also sensitive to tree nuts, and 34% of them had documented tree nut allergy. It turns out that this “cross-reactivity” occurs because peanuts and some tree nuts share similar allergenic proteins!

So what are tree nuts? Tree nuts include:

  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Walnut
  • Brazil nuts
  • Hazelnut
  • Pecans
  • Pistachios
  • Shea nuts

As with peanuts, you can swap tree nuts for pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and sesame seeds. Many of these are especially good if you lightly toast them first.

Soy

Soy is a product of soybeans, a legume that is commonly used in Asian cuisines. It is rich in nutrients, including vitamin B, fiber, potassium, and magnesium.

While more research needs to be done about soy’s effects on human health, what’s clear is that soy allergy is becoming more common, affecting 0.4% of children. Fortunately, allergic reactions to soy tend to be mild and approximately 50% of children with soy allergy outgrow their allergy by the age of 7, and most will by the age of 10.

However, everyone is different, and it’s advised that those with soy allergy avoid foods with soy. Instead, you can substitute soy products with beans, almond milk, coconut milk, green peas, soy-free vegan butter and yogurt, among many others.

Wheat

As one of the most widely grown crops worldwide, wheat is used in many foods and drinks, such as sweets, breads, pasta, pizza, ketchup, and beer. It is even used in hot dogs!

Wheat allergy is often confused with gluten sensitivity or intolerance, but they are not the same thing. Gluten is just one of 27 allergens found in wheat, meaning not everyone with wheat allergy is allergic to the same part of the plant.

Although many children outgrow wheat allergy, some people can still have life-threatening reactions, and should opt for wheat-free products. For example, instead of flour made with wheat, look for the following types of flours:

  • Rice
  • Coconut
  • Almond
  • Oat
  • Spelt
  • Quinoa
  • Amaranth
  • Millet
  • Teff
  • Arrowroot
  • Tapioca bean
  • Nuts and seeds

You can use a blend of these flours to replace the full amount of wheat flour.

Even if you don’t have wheat allergy, I would still highly recommend that you avoid it as much as possible. In fact, this lifestyle change could end up saving your life. Eating wheat can increase your exposure to glyphosate, a toxic chemical found in the popular herbicide Roundup. I’ve written about the health-related dangers of glyphosate several times (most recently here), and I feel that the information we know now is just the tip of the iceberg.

Remember, it’s much easier to be proactive than reactive, especially when it comes to your health.

Fish

Fish consumption has increased worldwide, and so have reports of fish allergy, affecting between 0.5 and 5% of the population. Although fish allergy often develops during childhood, 40% of people experience their first allergic reactionto fish as adults.

The most common fish species people have reported being allergic to include salmon, tuna, and halibut. Many people who are allergic to one type of fish are also allergic to other types of fish, so avoiding all fish and fish products is essential, including fish oil.

As an alternative to fish, you can try eating shellfish. Since finned fish and shellfish are not related, you can still consume one while being allergic to the other. For fish oil alternatives, you can check out oil from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soy oil, and canola oil.

Shellfish

Like fish, shellfish allergy is a lifelong problem, and 60% of people with this allergy experience their first adverse reaction as adults.

There are two groups of shellfish, crustaceans and mollusks. Examples of each include:

  • Crustaceans: crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and krill
  • Mollusks: mussels, octopuses, clams, oysters, and snails

Typically, it is the crustacean group that causes the greatest number of allergic reactions. Some people with shellfish allergy have been known to be able to tolerate mollusks.

People with shellfish allergy may not be allergic to finned fish. However, if you happen to be allergic to both, you can still get your protein by consuming eggs, dairy, and other meat products (assuming you’re not allergic to any of them). If you’re a vegetarian, you can replace fish and shellfish with high-protein vegetables and legumes, such as lentils, beans, and broccoli.

Heal Your Gut With An Elimination Diet

If you suspect that you or a loved one has food allergies, it is important to identify the allergens, which may not be as easy as it sounds. The best way to do so is with an elimination diet.

According to The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), an elimination diet can help not only clear your body of the allergens, but it can also help restore balance to your gut microbiome. There is a growing body of evidence that says changes to your gut microbiome play a role in the development of food allergies. In fact, the lack of certain types of bacteria like Lactobacilli have already been linked to a higher risk of developing allergies in children. Are you surprised?

An elimination diet is typically a short-term program that first requires the participants to remove certain foods and food types from their diet. This gives the body an opportunity to heal, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. After the initial elimination period, the foods are then slowly reintroduced one at a time, over 2 to 3 days, to see which ones trigger a negative reaction. When the allergen is identified, you can remove it from your diet. The entire process usually takes around 5 to 6 weeks.

IFM recommends that you attempt to reintroduce foods that provoke symptoms after 3 to 6 months, which gives your gut sufficient time to heal. Once your gut microbiome is more balanced, you may find that you can reintroduce those foods without symptoms.

Reintroduction can safely be done at home. However, for people with severe allergic reactions, this part should only occur in the presence of a doctor or another healthcare professional. Elimination diets for children should always be done under the supervision of a doctor.

Do You Have A Food Allergy?

Food allergies can present a daily challenge, but we now have more options than ever to substitute common allergens with safe and delicious alternatives.

Now I want to hear from you. Do you have a food allergy? Have you tried an elimination diet? What strategies or substitutes have you found useful? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24388012?dopt=Abstract

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20836734

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3069662/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC154188/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3962743/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5548240/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/soy/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20226303

https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens/soy-allergy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295079/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15241360

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/food-substitutes-for-fish-and-shellfish

https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens/shellfish-allergy

https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/shellfish-allergy

https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/heal-microbiome-ifm-elimination-diet/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25157157

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10202341/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25827065

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/inflammatory-disease-processes-and-interactions-with-nutrition/8B6E145706102090539C4CE52A58F35E

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For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/19/what-to-eat-when-youre-allergic-to-everything/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/13/mcas-lyme-msids/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/04/more-about-healing-from-mcas/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/12/29/mcas-triggers-symptoms-how-to-cope/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/26/study-links-food-allergy-to-autism-spectrum-disorder-in-children/

A new study from the University of Iowa finds that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more than twice as likely to suffer from a food allergy than children who do not have ASD.

Category:

diet and nutrition, Gut Health, Inflammation

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Second Person Ever Has Been Cleared of HIV After a Stem-cell Treatment

https://www.technologyreview.com/the-download/613074/the-second-person-ever-has-been-cleared-of-hiv-after-a-stem-cell-treatment/

March 5, 2019An image of HIV-1 budding (in green) from a cultured lymphocyte

The second person ever has been cleared of HIV after a stem-cell treatment

Category:

Activism, Viruses

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Ozarks Woman Hopes For Tick-borne Disease Progress With Proposed Federal Legislation

https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Ozarks-woman-hopes-for-tick-borne-disease-progress-with-proposed-federal-legislation-507052841.html

Ozarks woman hopes for tick-borne disease progress with proposed federal legislation

By Linda Simmons |
Posted: Tue 4:19 PM, Mar 12, 2019

 

https://www.ky3.com/templates/2015_Sub_Video_Share?contentObj=507052841“>https://www.ky3.com/templates/2015_Sub_Video_Share?contentObj=507052841  News Video Here

You probably try to protect yourself and your children from ticks and the diseases they carry with insect repellents. But new federal legislation would add resources to the battle against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the U.S. The proposed legislation would crate a new national strategy to combat tick-borne diseases.

The bill would create an office of oversight and coordination for tick-borne diseases in the Department of Health and Human Services.
It would expand and enhance research, develop new and better diagnostic tests and seek safe and effective vaccines.

Lori Geurin, who lives near Bolivar, hopes more resources are put toward exploring tick-borne diseases. She started having flu like symptoms and severe fatigue about seven years ago.

“My whole body was in pain, and I couldn’t sleep at all,” says Geurin. “I would have night after night of no sleep at all, and I was teaching and a mom of four children and a wife. And it was just all I could do to get up in the morning and get out of bed.”

A year and a half later, Geurin says she tested positive for Lyme disease in one test from a private company, one from her doctor, plus another tick borne disease called tularemia.

“He said that my symptoms, if I had been to the northeast, that he would diagnose me with Lyme because my symptoms were consistent with Lyme,” says Geurin.

“But because I hadn’t been to the northeast, I didn’t have Lyme disease.”

Her long search for answers is one reason she believes more research is needed on Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses.

“I’ve read a lot that there isn’t enough funding for Lyme, and there’s so many people out there that I hear from every week have the same symptoms and they’ve been told the same things,” says Geurin.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler is one of many co-sponsors to the bill, House Resolution 220. It’s been introduced in the house and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

__________________

**Comment**

Another patient told they can’t have Lyme because it doesn’t show up on a man-made map. This is 2019, with information coming out on a daily basis on the spread of ticks and tick borne illness, yet doctors STILL have their heads in the sand.

This, right here, is a very real reason why thousands go undiagnosed.

Medical stupidity.

These maps are outdated and do not explain the whole story. Doctors, please use your God-given brains. Do not smugly rely on outdated information.  Be informed.  Do your homework.

Quit looking at maps and start listening to patients!

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/16/ticks-that-carry-lyme-disease-are-spreading-fast/

This tick border thing is a man-made constructed paradigm that has never been accurate, but it’s fit the CDC/NIH/IDSA narrative.  http://steveclarknd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/The-Confounding-Debate-Over-Lyme-Disease-in-the-South-DiscoverMagazine.com_.pdf (go to page 6 and read about Speilman’s maps which are faulty but have ruled like the Iron Curtain, and have been used to keep folks from being diagnosed and treated)

TIME TO PULL THE BLINDERS OFF AND LOOK AT THIS THING AS THE PANDEMIC IT TRULY IS.

There is Lyme in the South:  

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/31/no-lyme-in-the-south-guess-again/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/03/02/hold-the-press-arkansas-has-lyme/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/10/25/hope-for-southerners/

 

 

 

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Testing, Ticks, Tularemia

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Melatonin: Benefits & Uses

https://articles.mercola.com/vitamins-supplements/melatonin.aspx?

December 30, 2018

By Dr. Mercola

iu-71

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which helps regulate your circadian rhythm
  • Taking a melatonin supplement may be helpful for people who are experiencing sleep disorders due to various environmental or social factors
  • Aside from promoting sleep, melatonin supplements may help boost cardiovascular health, manage fibromyalgia, lower the risk of gallstones and decrease the symptoms of tinnitus

Sleeping is an essential human function, and at the heart of it is your circadian rhythm, also known as your body clock. It’s a natural, biological timer that helps your body recognize sleepiness and wakefulness over a period of 24 hours.

By sticking to a regular bedtime schedule, such as sleeping and waking up at the same time each day, you can maintain a steady circadian rhythm that will allow you to maximize your productivity while you’re awake, and get the right amount of sleep when nighttime arrives.1

Your circadian rhythm is largely dictated by your pineal gland. This gland is located near the center of your brain, with a shape that looks similar to a pine cone, hence the name. It’s estimated to be one-third of an inch long, and is made up of unique pineal cells and neuroglial cells that help support the gland.

Despite its small size, it plays a crucial role in your health because it produces a single hormone called melatonin, which is vital for controlling your body clock and, ultimately, your sleeping patterns.2

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin, or N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a hormone produced by the pineal gland.3 Your brain usually starts secreting melatonin around 9 p.m., which is the time most people go to bed. By increasing the amount, your body begins to recognize that bedtime is fast approaching, allowing you to sleep at an ideal time.4

To do this properly, you need to be aware of your exposure to light throughout the day and especially at night, because melatonin production depends on how much light your body absorbs.

If you stay awake past dark, light emitted by electrical devices hampers your body’s ability to produce melatonin. Ideally, you want to stop using gadgets an hour before sleeping to help increase melatonin production and maintain a steady circadian rhythm. Nightshift workers usually have it worse and constantly suffer from disrupted body clocks, because of their poor melatonin production.

3 Main Uses of Melatonin in Your Body

What is the role of melatonin anyway? Based on published research, it has been discovered to perform three main functions:

• Controls your circadian rhythm — Melatonin works as a sleeping aid by normalizing your circadian rhythm by convincing your body to prepare itself for bedtime.5 It’s a hormone that only “signals” your body to prepare for sleep, not one that actually makes you fall asleep.

• Functions as an antioxidant — Recent studies have found that melatonin not only affects your body clock, but also functions as an antioxidant that can help support your health. Specifically, it may help different aspects of your brain, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.6 It may even lower your risk of cancer, in some cases.7

• Boosts your immune system — Melatonin may benefit your immune system in various ways. In one study, researchers suggest that melatonin may help improve the treatment of bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis.8 In another study, melatonin has been suggested as a potential tool against inflammation, autoimmune diseases and Type 1 diabetes.9

6 Ways to Optimize Your Melatonin Levels Naturally to Improve Sleep Quality

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans are suffering from a sleeping or wakefulness disorder.10 As a result, many of them turn to various remedies, such as behavioral and environmental changes, to get a good night’s rest.11

One of the first things you can do is to make sure that your body is producing enough melatonin. Optimizing your melatonin levels naturally is important because it helps keep your body functioning normally without relying on outside factors. So, instead of immediately relying on melatonin supplementation, here are a few lifestyle changes I suggest you try first to boost your melatonin production:

• Avoid using electronic devices an hour before sleeping — Gadgets such as cellphones, TVs and computers emit blue light, and exposure to it tricks your body into thinking it’s still daytime. By avoiding gadgets an hour before bed, your body can produce the melatonin needed to help you sleep at your intended time.

• Make sure to get regular sunlight exposure — Getting regular sun exposure in the morning or at noontime helps your body reduce its melatonin production, so that when nighttime arrives, your pineal gland produces the correct amount to induce sleepiness.

• Try to sleep in complete darkness — If possible, try to remove immediate light sources from your room to help improve your sleep quality. The slightest exposure to light can interfere with your body’s melatonin production and keep you up later than you need. Keep gadgets 3 feet away from your bed or use blackout window shades.

• Remove sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in your bedroom — EMFs emitted by certain devices such as Internet routers can disrupt your pineal gland’s melatonin production. Ideally, you should turn off your wireless router, as well as other wireless devices connected to the Internet before sleeping.

• If you need a nightlight, use a low-wattage yellow, orange or red bulb — Low-wattage bulbs with a yellow, orange or red color do not interfere with melatonin production the same way that white and blue bulbs do.

• Wear blue light-blocking glasses — This special device can help keep your eyes from absorbing blue light that can affect your melatonin levels. It can be a useful tool to have around the house, especially if you’re constantly surrounded by gadgets and artificial light sources.

In addition, the following foods are known to contain small amounts of melatonin. Making them a part of your regular diet while practicing the aforementioned sleeping tips may help improve sleep quality:12

  • Grass fed meat (lamb, beef and pork)
  • Wild-caught salmon
  • Pasture-raised chicken and eggs
  • Raw, grass fed milk
  • Pineapple
  • Banana
  • Apple
  • Pomegranate
  • Mulberry
  • Tart cherries
  • Grapes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Cauliflower
  • Turnip
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • Radish
  • Beetroot
  • Tomatoes
  • Seeds (Flax, sunflower, fennel, mustard, alfalfa, celery and fenugreek)
  • Nuts (pistachio, almonds and walnuts)

If you’ve already tried everything, including incorporating melatonin foods in your diet, and you’re still having difficulty getting quality sleep, you may consider taking a melatonin supplement. In 2016 alone, 3.1 million adults in the United States turned to melatonin supplementation to help them sleep peacefully.13

Studies Regarding the Use of Melatonin Supplements

Since the discovery of melatonin, various studies have been conducted to discover how using it as a supplement can benefit your health. According to the Journal of Pineal Research, the melatonin secreted by your pineal gland enters every cell in your body and can even cross morphophysiologic barriers.

As a result, not only may it help you improve sleep quality,14 it also has certain anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.15

In addition, a study published in Endocrine Journal reports that increasing melatonin intake may help improve your overall health, as this hormone can be an effective antioxidant that can help fight free radicals in your body.16

Another study suggests that melatonin may help obese people manage their weight. The researchers indicate that certain lifestyle factors suppress melatonin production, which results in sleep disruption that can lead to weight gain. By increasing melatonin production, adequate sleep can be reintroduced as part of a healthy lifestyle, along with other positive lifestyle changes, to help curb obesity.17

8 Potential Benefits of Melatonin Supplement

Melatonin may help boost your health in various situations, as shown in the table below. While each benefit is backed up with scientific research, always consult with a doctor before giving melatonin supplements a try:

• Insomnia — Melatonin is primarily used to help treat people who have sleeping disorders by inducing sleepiness quicker.18

• Jet lag — Melatonin may be used to help treat jet lag by adjusting your body to a new time zone. However, it’s generally recommended only for travelers who cross four to five time zones.19

• Heart disease — People who are struggling with heart disease may benefit from melatonin. A study has found that it may help lower your bad cholesterol levels by as much as 38 percent.20

• Menopause — Increasing melatonin consumption in menopausal women 42 to 62 years old may help improve mood and stave off depression.21

• Autism — Children diagnosed with autism who are also plagued with sleeping problems may benefit from melatonin supplementation. Research indicates that taking the hormone can lead to deeper sleep and better daytime behavior.22 However, I advise consulting your health care provider before giving any melatonin supplement to children.

• Fibromyalgia — People affected with fibromyalgia are believed to have lower levels of melatonin. A group of researchers found that increasing the melatonin levels of fibromyalgia sufferers through supplementation helped alleviate their symptoms and improved sleep quality.23

• Gallstones — Melatonin can help lower your risk of gallstones by inhibiting cholesterol absorption across the intestinal epithelium, as well as increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile.24

• Tinnitus — If you have tinnitus, slightly increasing your melatonin may help improve your symptoms. In one study, participants who took 3 milligrams of melatonin supplements every night experienced a decrease in tinnitus intensity after the testing duration.25

Do Not Take Melatonin if You Have These Conditions

Here’s a crucial question you should ask yourself: Are you fit to take melatonin? While there are valid reasons for taking this supplement, remember that it can exacerbate certain health conditions as well. If you’re taking any of the following medications, you should not take melatonin as the mixture can have adverse effects to your health:26

• Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs

• Anticonvulsants

• Contraceptive drugs

• Diabetes medications

• Immunosuppressants

Taking melatonin while pregnant should be avoided as well, since there’s little knowledge in this field.27 If you’ve recently developed pregnancy-related sleeping problems, I advise you to consider behavioral and dietary changes before considering melatonin or other similar types of supplement.

Refrain from giving melatonin to children, including babies and toddlers, unless approved by your physician. While a 2016 study found that children with sleep difficulties who took melatonin did not develop any concerns or adverse side effects,28 it’s better to be safe.

10 Side Effects of Melatonin You Should Know About

Some of melatonin’s potential side effects include:29,30

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Short-term depression
  • Irritability
  • Vivid dreams, or possibly nightmares
  • Mild anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Confusion
  • Body clock disruption
  • Dizziness

If you are already taking a melatonin supplement and begin to experience any of the mentioned side effects, stop taking it immediately and consult with a doctor for safer alternatives. In addition, melatonin and alcohol should not be taken together, as it can increase your chances of accidents because the sedative effects are amplified.31

Remember: Consider Optimizing Your Melatonin Levels Naturally Before Taking a Supplement

Melatonin is a crucial hormone that performs few but important functions. Low levels of it can lead to sleep disruption, increase your risk of certain diseases and lower your antioxidant capabilities. However, remember to always try and improve your sleeping habits and environment before attempting melatonin supplementation.

While there’s an abundance of scientific evidence that suggest melatonin supplementation can be beneficial to your health, too much of it can actually make you more wakeful. By primarily focusing on natural strategies, you forego this risk, as well as the chances of developing unpleasant side effects that can further disrupt your quality of sleep. If you do decide to take a melatonin supplement, seek guidance from a doctor first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Melatonin

Q: Is melatonin addictive?

A: Currently, there’s very little information regarding melatonin supplement addiction. However, beware that it can still be abused, although the chances of becoming dependent are lower compared to other types of medications or supplements.32

 

Q: How long does it take for melatonin to work?

A: The average time for melatonin supplements to work is generally 20 minutes. If you’re about to take melatonin for the first time, it’s recommended that you take it one to two hours before your bedtime.33

 

Q: Can you take melatonin supplements while pregnant?

A: As of the moment, there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding the use of melatonin supplements on pregnant women, but it’s theorized that it may hamper sex drive, reduce ovarian function and increase the risk of developmental disorders. If you’re pregnant, it is best that you avoid using this supplement and resort to natural remedies to correct sleeping problems.34

 

Q: Is melatonin safe to use for kids?

A: Melatonin supplements are generally safe for children. According to a study published in Canadian Family Physician, children with sleep difficulties who took melatonin had no concerns or adverse side effects, according to their parents.35 However, consult with your child’s pediatrician before giving them any type of melatonin supplement.

 

Q: When is the ideal time to take melatonin?

A: Taking a melatonin supplement two hours before bedtime can help you maximize its effectiveness.36

 

Q: How long does the effects of melatonin last?

A: The half-life of melatonin is very short, around 59 to 65 minutes only.37

 

Q: Can you overdose on melatonin?

A: Yes. While there are no reported deaths related to overdosing from melatonin, consuming more than the recommended amount can cause side effects, such as autoimmune hepatitis, a psychotic episode, seizures, headaches or skin eruption.38

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**Comment**

Besides helping sleep, melatonin is known for protecting the brain. Research has shown starting to supplement in middle age protects against Alzheimer’s, reduces the risk of Parkinson’s, shrinks the size of the infarct area in a stroke, minimizes brain swelling & dysfunction after head injury, and increases the “longevity protein” SIRT1.  https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2013/9/Melatonin-The-Brain-Hormone/Page-01

  • Melatonin has been proposed as a treatment for numerous brain and neurological diseases as it helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation inside the brain and strengthens the blood-brain barrier.  A leaky blood-brain barrier can contribute to issues like brain fog, anxiety, depression, and even Alzheimer’s.
  • It also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – which is a protein that promotes survival of nerve cells & helps regular synaptic plasticity.  Mouse studies have shown melatonin relieves symptoms of ALS by preventing cell death and slowing disease progression.  
  • Melatonin is needed for normal eye development, decreases pressure in the eye and lack of it may be a cause of glaucoma.
  • A rat study showed melatonin prevents against cell death in optic neuritis, a manifestation of MS, Lyme, and Bartonella.
  • Regarding tinnitus, (noise in the ears), melatonin was 150 times more effective than other tinnitus drugs in reducing symptoms.
  • Melatonin may help prevent and treat cancer by improving immune function, increasing tumor suppressor proteins, acting against cancer stem cells, and by suppressing cells that block the activity of immune cells. Supplementation also reduced incidence and size of breast cancer tumors.
  • Melatonin concentration is 400 times higher in the gut than the brain and controls behavior of gut bacteria.  It’s been shown to be protective against lesions caused by H.pylori infection and speeds ulcer healing.  It protects and strengthens the intestinal barrier and can help prohibit inflammation in the stomach which can in turn protect against colitis, irritable bowel, and various cancers.  https://selfhacked.com/blog/melatonin/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

research, Sleep, Supplements, Treatment

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Report on the HELP Committee Hearing on Vaccines

March 13, 2019

https://parentalrights.org/help_committee_vaccines/

Report on the HELP Committee Hearing on Vaccines

March 12, 2019
Capitol

Note: This week’s newsletter is an eye-witness report from Federal Relations Liaison Maggie McKneely. Here’s Maggie:

The well-publicized measles outbreaks In Washington, New York, and Texas have inflamed the debate over vaccines.

In recent months, we’ve seen a number of states introduce legislation that would either partially or entirely remove vaccine exemptions. California Congressman Adam Schiff introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives stating the importance of vaccines. And in the latest chapter, last week I attended the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on preventable disease outbreaks.

Fortunately, there is still no proposed bill that would mandate vaccines from the federal level, but the pressure is climbing for lawmakers to act.

Our Position

We at Parentalrights.org do not take a position on the medical efficacy or safety of vaccines. What we do believe is that medical decisions should be made by families – not politicians on Capitol Hill.

There are few rights as fundamental as a parent’s right to direct the upbringing of their children. Whether that’s in regard to education or making informed medical decisions, when it comes to kids, parents know best – not the government.

The Hearing

The “fact-gathering session” titled “Vaccines Save Lives: What is Driving Preventable Disease Outbreaks?” was, as the name suggests, primarily a pro-vaccine hearing that focused on the effectiveness of certain vaccines. It featured five witnesses, four of whom were either licensed medical doctors or have decades of medical experience.

The fifth was Ethan Lindenberger, a high school student who has captured the attention of the media for getting vaccinated against his mother’s wishes. All five testified in favor of vaccines.

While no one suggested mandating vaccines from the federal level, the tone of the hearing was clear: the committee members and witnesses believe vaccines are an unequivocal societal good and anyone who disagrees poses a threat.

Opening Positions

Sen. Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the HELP committee, opened the hearing by saying that “we know that some Americans are hesitant about vaccines, so today I want to stress the importance of vaccines: not only has the Food and Drug Administration found them to be safe, but vaccines also save lives.”

Sen. Murray (D-WA), ranking member on the HELP committee, echoed Alexander’s statement. “These outbreaks are a clear sign we have to do more to address vaccine hesitancy and make sure parents have the facts they need to understand the science: vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving.”

Much of the discussion between the committee members and witnesses focused on the benefits of vaccines and possible ways to increase vaccination rates, such as funding for vaccine education programs and solutions to make expensive vaccines more readily available. No one was seemingly interested in what may make some parents “vaccine hesitant,” just in how to make them less so.

Invalidating Parents

The most alarming part of the hearing was the testimony and questioning of Lindenberger. Once he turned 18, he decided to get vaccinated, despite his mom being against vaccines. As a legal adult, it was fully within his right to make that decision. But the committee chose to elevate his testimony to the same level as the expertise of longtime-medical professionals, simply because his choice to go against his parents’ beliefs agreed with the committee’s agenda.

In so doing, the Committee communicated that parents’ opinions are only valid so long as they conform with the government’s.

One Voice for Liberty

The lone voice clearly in favor of liberty was Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), himself a licensed medical doctor. While he believes in the benefits of vaccines and has vaccinated all of his own children, he disagrees with the notion that it is up to the federal government to make that decision. He stated that

“I believe that the benefits of vaccines greatly outweigh the risks, but I still do not favor giving up on liberty for a false sense of security” (emphasis added).

He pointed out that

“this may be the only medical procedure in the modern world where informed consent is not required.”

Had the HELP committee been interested in a true fact-finding hearing, they could have listened to opposing opinions from individuals just as highly qualified as those present at the hearing.

For example, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons recently sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, stating their opposition to federally mandated vaccines. The letter suggested that

“a public health threat is the rationale for the policy on mandatory vaccines. But how much of a threat is required to justify forcing people to accept government-imposed risks?”

Instead, the hearing was entirely one-sided.

Conclusion

As Federal Relations Liaison, it is my job to keep an ear to the ground in the halls of Congress, and that includes what is said in a committee hearing related to parental rights.

In combating those we disagree with, it is crucial to have accurate information. The alarmist rumors that Congress is about to pass a vaccine mandate are overstated. As I mentioned, there is currently no bill in Congress that would mandate vaccines.

But conversations are happening, and many are not favorable to parental rights. We are prepared to stand with you whenever the freedom to be a parent is threatened.

Maggie McKneely

Maggie

 

 

 

 

 

More on the Parental Rights Movement & Amendment:  https://parentalrights.org/about/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/04/20/why-we-need-the-parental-rights-amendment/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/02/21/parental-rights-in-medical-settings/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/08/21/mayo-clinic-holds-teenager-hostage-why-we-need-the-parental-rights-amendment/

Due to the polarization of Lyme/MSIDS, this could easily happen to a child with tick-borne illness.  I’m sure it’s happened already.  Don’t let it happen to you.  Learn about the Parental Rights Amendment and continue to stand up for your children.

For more: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/05/pa-dentist-threatens-parents-for-not-scheduling-their-childs-dental-cleaning/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/08/24/dutch-lyme-patients-accused-of-child-abuse/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/06/30/child-with-lymemsidspans-told-by-doctors-she-made-it-all-up/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/29/more-abuses-against-parental-rights/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/10/12/parental-rights-come-from-the-state-says-law-professor-james-dwyer/  James Dwyer, law professor at the prestigious College of William and Mary, believes your parental rights come from the State. And what the State can give, the State can take away.

Category:

Activism, vaccines

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