Do allergies mean you have immune problems?

Do allergies mean you have immune problems?

by Debbie Williams — 

Some of these white blood cells are not naturally killer cells, but when beta glucan connects to them, they become killer cells, meaning they will destroy cells that do not belong in your body.

It appears Arizona allergies are here early again this year — probably from all the rain. If you suffer with allergies, I know you are miserable and want to be allergy free. You most likely have a struggling immune system that wreaks havoc on your health and then, bam, there is that cold or flu and missed school or work. To boot, the snowbirds are returning and kids are back in school, which means more germs for our bodies to defend against.

The allergy medicine advertisements are already appearing, and the prescriptions for steroidal medications will follow. Both my husband and I needed them twice a year, but they have not been necessary for more than four years because of one supplement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, allergies are the sixth-leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S., with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to substances that generally do not affect other individuals. These substances, or allergens, can cause sneezing, coughing and itching. Allergic reactions range from being merely bothersome to life threatening. Some allergies are seasonal, such as hay fever. Allergies have also been associated with chronic conditions, such as sinusitis and asthma.

The number of people with asthma continues to grow. One in 12 people (about 25 million, or 8 percent of the population) had asthma in 2009, compared with one in 14 (about 20 million, or 7 percent) in 2001. More than half (53 percent) of people with asthma had an asthma attack in 2008. More children (57 percent) than adults (51 percent) had an attack, and 185 children and 3,262 adults died from asthma in 2007.

About one in 10 children (10 percent) had asthma, and one in 12 adults (8 percent) had asthma in 2009. Women were more likely than men, and boys were more likely than girls to have asthma.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you cannot get all the needed nutrients from the foods you eat because our soil simply does not contain all 90 essential nutrients. Supplementation is the key to one’s health, particularly when it comes to boosting the immune system.

A friend/customer recently called me to inquire about the products we offer and I said, “It is not cheap to be healthy, is it?” Her response was brilliant: “I have friends who smoke and drink, and that is their vice; this is mine.”

Your body responds quickly to what you put into it. This past weekend, I went off my healthy diet and ate what most people consider normal — chips, crackers, sugary alcoholic drinks and desserts. We used to eat this way all the time until we became educated. The weight poured off when we fed our bodies healthfully. So after the weekend’s binge, I was afraid to step on the scale. I gained 5.5 pounds in three days. My immune system almost immediately began rebelling, and my stomach became bloated. Inflammation took over my body.

This makes sense once you know that the majority of the immune system is located in the gut. If you are having gut issues, you need to help your immune system — and vice versa. If allergies are a problem, your body will have a harder time protecting you from processed foods and any other poisons you may absorb.

If I could pick only one supplement, it would be beta glucan. My family and friends have been taking it for nearly four years with significant health benefits. It is one supplement I never forget to take and for good reason. If I miss one day, one-third of my fighting army is gone. What do I mean by that?

White blood cells live for only three days, a fact that most people are unaware of. Beta glucan attaches to the receptors on the white blood cells. Some of these white blood cells are not naturally killer cells, but when beta glucan connects to them, they become killer cells, meaning they will destroy cells that do not belong in your body.

Essentially, trillions more cells begin helping to keep you healthy. Our immune systems need help. They are under attack from pesticides, pollutions, toxic chemicals, and processed foods and drinks. Beta glucan helps so much that a friend of mine has not needed her inhaler since taking beta glucan. If you have not heard of it before, it could be because 14 years ago, one capsule cost $200. Thankfully, this is no longer the case.

What is beta glucan?

Beta glucan is a polysaccharide that is the most effective and powerful immune modulator on the planet. You can find it in grains, Japanese mushrooms and seaweed, but the most powerful form comes from the walls of baker’s yeast. It has been studied for 50 years. If you go to pubmed.gov, you can find nearly 13,000 peer-reviewed studies on it.

You will not be as susceptible to those seasonal “gotchas,” such as the flu, colds and allergies. Remember, 80 percent of your immune system is in your gut. The immune system works to keep you healthy and free of disease.

Who will benefit from taking beta glucan? Everyone will, including children. Our pets and plants can also enjoy its benefits, and no known side effects have been discovered in more than 50 years of study.

Buyer beware: I was at a seminar several years ago when an expert on beta glucan declared that most of this supplement sold on store shelves is worthless. But our product is university tested and certified to be the best in the world. The manufacturer actually rejects 90 percent of the beta glucan that comes into the lab, while other resellers purchase the rejects.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If pregnant or lactating, or if you have had an organ transplant, please consult your physician before using.

Debbie Williams is an immune health coach and is studying to be a certified nutrition coach. vitalityforlife.youngevity.com, debphoenix@aol.com or 623-444-0557.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 5, October/November 2015.