Search This Blog

Allergies are Nothing to Sneeze About

By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Public domain photo from 
Centers for Disease Control
We recently moved our clocks forward, and Spring is definitely in the air. So are clouds of oak pollen and other kinds of pollen. At this time of year, there are many mornings when people find a fresh dusting of yellow on their cars.  There are literally tons of pollen in the air. Birds are singing and allergy sufferers are sniffling and sneezing. Also, their eyes are watering and their throats are scratchy. It’s not a fun time of the year for the tens of millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Understanding allergies
Allergic reactions begin in the immune system. Allergens are substances that fool the immune system into treating the allergens like invaders. The immune system reacts to allergens by producing antibodies to get rid of the invaders. The antibodies travel to cells where they release histamines. That’s why many allergy medicines are called anti-histamines.
In addition to pollen, some of the most common allergens are dust, mold, insect stings, animal dander, some foods, and some medications. Allergens can trigger symptoms in the nose, throat, lungs, ears, and sinuses. The reason some people react differently to allergens than other people is that they have some type of inflammation, which causes their immune systems to react differently.
How does Vibrant Life spell relief? AllerCaps
Business is booming at drugstores and grocery stores where people who are desperate for relief from allergy symptoms are seeking remedies among the numerous products that are available. Although some of those over-the-counter antihistamines may help, it can be very difficult to find one that relieves allergy symptoms without also causing drowsiness.
Fortunately, Vibrant Life Health Center has a natural supplement to counteract allergy symptoms without putting patients to sleep. AllerCaps is a comprehensive nutraceutical formula that promotes healthy inflammatory support and immune health.
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a nutraceutical is, “a foodstuff (as a fortified food or a dietary supplement) that is held to provide health or medical benefits in addition to its basic nutritional value—called also functional food.”
Unlike antihistamines which treat allergy symptoms, AllerCaps relieve inflammation and help the immune system to operate normally. That’s why they frequently work better than antihistamines. AllerCaps are highly recommended by many practitioners.
Premier Research Labs and Nucleo-Immune
AllerCaps are produced by Premier Research Labs (PRL), a world leader in Cellular Resonant Technology. Cellular Resonant Technology has enabled PRL to develop supplements that interact with the body at the cellular level to produce the best possible results.
PRL provides products that are completely free of toxic chemicals through the entire manufacturing process. While other producers of nutritional supplements use toxic chemicals called excipients in their manufacturing, PRL products are excipient-free. PRL tests every incoming container of raw material for superior quality control. They guarantee that what you see on the label is exactly what is in the product.
In addition to AllerCaps, PRL produces other excellent nutritional supplements which are available at the Vibrant Life Health Center. One of them is Nucleo-Immune, a dietary supplement which promotes rapid cellular rejuvenation and healing of wounds. It also increases vitality and strength. Nucleo-Immune supports the thymus, the intestinal and immune systems, and is very effective as a booster during the cold and winter season. 
Since it boosts the immune system, Nucleo-Immune, also helps allergy sufferers. It is available through the Vibrant Life Health Center. Give yourself a boost for the season and get some today!
Essential Oils
Essential oils help to detoxify the body and fight infections. They can also be used to fight inflammation, boost the immune system, and relieve allergy symptoms. They can be put into the air of any home with an inexpensive diffuser. Some can be applied directly to the skin.
Courtesy of U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture
Peppermint Oil can unclog the sinuses and provide relief to scratchy throats. Peppermint is an expectorant, which means that it will help you to cough up and purge phlegm. It also reduces inflammation, one of the leading causes of allergy symptoms.
Basil Oil is another essential oil that reduces inflammation. It’s also good for the adrenal glands, which help to produce over 50 hormones that are involved in nearly every bodily function.
Eucalyptus Oil improves circulation and reduces allergy symptoms by opening up the lungs and sinuses. Eucalyptus contains citronellal, which is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Eucalyptus also cleanses the body of toxins and microorganisms.
Lemon Oil helps to drain the lymphatic system, inhibits the growth of bacteria, and boosts the immune system. In the home, lemon oil can kill bacteria and eliminate allergy triggers present in the air.
Lavender is a natural antihistamine.  In addition to being effective for relieving allergy symptoms, lavender has a calming and soothing effect on the body. It has been known to help people relax and go to sleep at night.
Tea Tree Oil can destroy airborne pathogens. It is an antiseptic agent with anti-inflammatory properties. Diffusing tea tree oil in the home will kill mold, bacteria and fungi. Tea tree oil can be applied to the skin to kill bacteria and microorganisms. It can also be used as a household cleaner.
Roman Chamomile is frequently used for aromatherapy and it is also used for its soothing properties. It can also help with topical rashes brought on by allergies.
---
In this article, I have discussed seasonal allergies and the tools that can boost the immune system to relieve symptoms. These include the AllerCaps and Nucleo-Immune, supplements available from Vibrant Life. I’ve also discussed Essential Oils which can be very helpful in dealing with allergies.
If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

Related articles

3 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,
Location: Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL 32223, USA

Functional Medicine

by Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Dr. Jeffrey Bland and Susan Bland
“What’s above ground is easier to see and, in many ways, easier to treat. But unless you dig down and uproot the weed, you’ll never contain it; you’ll only stunt its growth.” Jeffrey Bland, PhD, Founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine, as quoted in  Experience Life Magazine
One of the reasons so many people are suffering with poor health these days is that we have not been educated on the definition of true health.  When people understand what health really is, they can actually create their own wellness philosophy and determine which lifestyle approaches are best for them.
What is health?
One core definition of health is “a state of normal function.” If you wish to improve your health, you must first find out what it is that causes you to function optimally. People are more interested than ever before in biking, swimming, running, doing yoga, lifting weights, taking supplements, and proper diet. Most people have begun to realize that they must play an active role in their own health if they want to keep it or get it back. Some of the most common health objectives include:
  • Enhancing overall well-being
  • Overcoming and preventing illness
  • Improving energy level and appearance
  • Increasing the length and quality of life
Courtesy of Wikimedia
However, none of these goals cause the human body to function. To find what really causes you to function nominally, you must first determine what is abnormal in your anatomy.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. The CNS controls all functions and healing in the human body. To have normal function - a requirement for good health - the CNS must work without damage or interference.
There is a continuous flow of information from the brain to the rest of the body and from the organs back to the brain. When the head is in an abnormal position or there’s a misalignment of individual vertebrae, it will interfere with the flow of information to and from the brain. This interference keeps the organs from functioning normally.
A healthy spine is one of the keys to having a healthy life. It’s also a very important part of Functional Medicine.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an approach to health which addresses the whole person, not just whatever symptoms may be bothering someone at any given time.  At Vibrant Life Health Center, we spend time with our patients listening to them and assessing the numerous factors that are influencing their long-term health. We believe that working in close partnership with our patients will help them to achieve their fitness and health goals.
The Institute of Functional Medicine, which was established in the 1990s, asserts that:
  • Functional Medicine offers a powerful new system model for the assessment, treatment, and prevention of chronic disease. It is replacing the outdated and acute-care models from the 20th century.
  • Functional Medicine utilizes the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the progression of disease.
  • Functional Medicine is enabling physicians and other health professionals to practice personalized medicine. It empowers patients to take an active role in their own health.
Why Functional Medicine?
Most physicians are oriented toward the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that needs to be treated immediately. This is referred to as “acute care” and it includes everything from heart attacks to broken bones. Physicians apply specific treatments, such as drugs or surgery, that aim to treat the immediate problem.

However, the acute-care approach to medicine is ill equipped to address chronic disease. Acute care does not normally take into account factors like stress, diet, and exposure to toxins. Many physicians have no training to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic diseases. They don’t apply strategies like nutrition, diet, and exercise to treat and prevent illnesses.
Essential Components of Functional Medicine
  • Get the patient’s complete story
  • Identify and address the patient’s lifestyle factors as well as any undesirable environmental factors
  • Address any clinical imbalance the patient may have
  • Establish a working partnership between practitioner and patient.
What is Biofeedback Technology and how does it help patients?
Courtesy undergroundhealthreporter.com
Biofeedback is one of the many tools we use at Vibrant Life Health Center to help patients achieve their health and fitness goals. It ties right in with Functional Medicine. Mayo Clinic has a good definition of biofeedback on their website.
“Biofeedback is a technique you can use to learn to control your body's functions, such as your heart rate. With biofeedback, you're connected to electrical sensors that help you receive information (feedback) about your body (bio). This feedback helps you focus on making subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain. In essence, biofeedback gives you the power to use your thoughts to control your body, often to improve a health condition or physical performance.” Mayo Clinic
Relaxing sounds like it should be easy, but for a lot of people it’s not. At Vibrant Life, we use biofeedback to help patients train themselves on how to relax. We also use biofeedback to help patients modify their behavior in situations that may cause stress and anxiety.
---
In this article, I have discussed Functional Medicine, which addresses all the needs of the patient as opposed to simply treating symptoms and conditions. I’ve also discussed biofeedback technology, one of the tools we use to help patients achieve their health and fitness goals.
If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

Related articles

2 comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,
Location: Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL 32223, USA

Why is losing weight so difficult?


by Dr. Jon Thomas DC, PScD, Director of Vibrant Life Health Center

Many Americans made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight a few months ago. Some have had success and are achieving their weight loss and fitness objectives. Others, who may have started the year with a tremendous amount of resolve, have not had the same success. Lots of people have trouble losing weight. There are a number of factors that come into play when people have trouble following through on their New Year’s resolutions to lose weight. Here are some of the most common reasons.

Fat Loss vs. Weight Loss


Not all pounds are created equally. Whereas a pound of fat stores calories, a pound of lean muscle actually burns calories. When the focus is solely on losing weight, it can be lost in the form of both fat and muscle. The ideal way to lose weight is to lose fat as opposed to losing both fat and muscle. Burning fat while retaining calorie-burning muscle mass will obviously produce the best long term results.  This is why exercise, general fitness, and weight loss go so well together. When people who are trying to lose weight also build up their muscle mass through exercise, they’re improving their bodies’ ability to burn calories.  



Calorie counting and calorie cutting sound good, but it doesn’t always work.


Some people look at weight loss as a mathematical equation. They think that if they can just manage to take in fewer calories while they burn more calories through exercise, they will naturally lose weight. It’s logical and it can work for a while. However, something funny happens to the metabolism of some people as they lose weight. The metabolism adjusts to that new condition. It slows down so as to reduce the number of calories it burns to operate.


Fad diets and cracker jack weight loss products also sound good.


Dozens of fad diets have come and gone in the past few decades. That trend is not likely to change due to the sheer number of people who want to lose weight. Many fad diets achieve weight loss by reducing the intake of carbohydrates. The result is actually a dramatic water weight loss. Water weight comes back and it usually doesn’t take long at all for that to happen.


It’s easy to go to a store and buy a prepackaged weight loss program. Then, all you have to do is take it home, follow the directions, and, voila! Instant weight loss. The problem is that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to losing weight. A product that works well for an energetic person with a high metabolism will not work the same way for a person who happens to be laid back and who has a slower metabolism.


Genetics


Some people can eat whatever they want without gaining weight while other folks are engaged in a continual struggle to avoid gaining weight. It doesn’t seem fair, but that’s the way life is sometimes.  Genetics can play a big role in how some people don’t gain weight and how easily some people lose it when they want to. The more you know about the way your body works, the better equipped you will be to make the adjustments you need to make to achieve your health objectives.


Seeing Results


Tatiane is happy with the results
she got with NutriMost
One of the biggest problems with most weight loss programs is that it takes forever to see results. You can work at a program that takes off a pound or two per week and be down a whole four or five pounds after a month. On the other hand, if you’re working a program where the results are five or more pounds per week, you’ll be wearing different clothes in two weeks.


In three or four weeks, family members and friends are going to begin commenting on how good you look. Wearing clothes that you haven’t been able to wear for a while and getting compliments on your looks are the kind of things that keep people motivated and moving forward. When losing weight is the objective, seeing results in a reasonable period of time is very important. 


Going it alone


It’s amazing to see people who are seriously overweight go on The Biggest Loser and quickly take off a ton of weight in a short period of time. One of the things they have going for them is a coach like Gillian Michaels, who can get them motivated and keep them motivated. The coaches keep a close eye on their clients every step of the way.


That kind of supervision can help people to lose tremendous amounts of weight. When you have someone holding your hand and telling you what to do and what not to do, it’s much easier to stick with the program. Unfortunately, most folks can’t afford to hire a personal trainer like the ones on TV.


NutriMost – Customized Weight Loss


If you made a New year’s resolution to lose weight, but haven’t been able to stick with it, you may be hitting a bottom of sorts where you realize that in spite of your best efforts, the weight is not coming off. The good news is that help is available.


NutriMost is a customized weight loss program. Since each patient is unique, the way they burn fat and lose weight also will be different. For example, an underactive thyroid produces different levels of hormones than a more active thyroid. Those hormones affect the way a body burns calories. To get on the path to permanent weight loss, hormone levels and other factors must be taken into account.


NutriMost is always supervised by a doctor. I am a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. I may not be able to supervise you to the degree the coaches do on TV shows, but I do make myself available to my patients to answer their questions and to address any concerns they may have as they go through the program.


When I get a text or an email from a patient, I always get back in touch with them ASAP, frequently in less than fifteen minutes. Keeping in close contact with my patients is a priority for me because I truly want them to succeed at losing weight. When they lose weight the right way, they begin to experience the kind of transformation that will make a very positive difference in their lives.   


If you made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and you’ve been disappointed with the results you’ve been seeing, it’s time to try something else. NutriMost has worked for lots of people. Some of them have recorded testimonials which you can view. Take a look and see for yourself. Then check out NutriMost. It can be a game-changer in your effort to lose weight and to live a healthier life.
---

In this article, I have discussed the challenges some people face in losing weight. Those challenges include trying to lose weight on fad diets, on packaged weight loss programs, or on programs that provide no support. I’ve also discussed the difference between fat loss, which is desirable, and weight loss which may include the loss of muscle mass. 


If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.


The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.


At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.


Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

Related articles

3 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)