Studies show that salt is no longer the sole culprit when it comes to high blood pressure -it’s a lack of minerals
These can make you miserable, mimicking the symptoms of flu—runny nose, weepy eyes, general body malaise, headache, fever.

Allergy symptoms occur when there is an overreaction of the body’s immune system to certain substances in the environment. No two persons are alike, too. One could probably tolerate cat or dog hair, while another could react violently.

What causes the symptoms? Histamine and leukotriene, biochemicals released by the immune system. There are overly sensitive cells in tissues in the lungs, skin, throat, intestines and blood vessels. When these cells are exposed to irritable substances, histamine is released. The result? Contraction inside the body, which causes the extra production of sticky mucus.

Allergies are partly hereditary. However, there is a growing belief in the medical industry that a healthy lifestyle and nutritional supplementation could balance the immune system. These might help:

Vitamin C. A deficiency in vitamin C can raise your histamine levels. Studies show that vitamin C reduces inflammation and histamine levels. People with hay fever were better able to manage their condition on 2,000 mg daily. No worries; it is water soluble. You could take 1,000 mg of calcium ascorbate or ester-C twice daily. Eat more bioflavonoid-rich foods like citrus fruits, broccoli, grapes, and green and red peppers.

High blood pressure

The three major health consequences of this condition are stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. Ralph is only 42 years old. Last year, his medical checkup revealed that he had high blood pressure—but his doctor did not ban salt from his diet.

This is because today, based on research, salt is not the culprit. “A rise in blood pressure means you need to add minerals to your diet, not cut back on salt,” says David McCarron, MD, professor of medicine and head of the division of nephrology, hypertension and clinical pharmacology of the Oregon Health Sciences, University of Portland. The problem of hypertension could mean a lack of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. How to manage this?

o Cut back on the calories. If you are overweight, start losing the excess pounds.

o Eat more fatty fish like mackerel and salmon, both high in omega-3 fatty acids, which seem to reduce blood pressure.

o Limit alcohol intake to two drinks a day.

o Limit the sweet stuff because sugar could raise your blood pressure.

Low sodium levels in your blood could make you lose consciousness. Don’t eradicate natural salt (sea salt) from your diet, because the body needs sodium to survive.

Osteoporosis

There is a bone factory inside women’s bodies, but by age 30, it stops remodeling the skeletal framework. That’s because estrogen begins to diminish by this time. By the time women hit menopause and stop producing this hormone, significant bone loss has occurred (from two to seven percent during the first seven years). This is why osteoporosis is more common among women. How to manage this?

o Consider natural bio-identical hormone replacement therapy

o Take calcium-rich food like milk, broccoli, beans, orange juice, tofu, butternut squash, sweet potatoes (camote) and mustard greens.

o Remove aluminum-based antacids from your medicine cabinet. Aluminum may cause more bone loss.

o Exercise daily

o Go easy on salt which can stimulate urination and more bone loss.

o Cut back on alcohol. Studies have shown increased bone loss in men with chronic alcoholism.

o Beware of anything high in phosphorus, which blocks calcium absorption

o Supplement: For men aged 25-65, 1,000 mg of calcium; for women aged 25-50, 1,000mg; pregnant/nursing women, 1,200-1,500 mg; menopausal women aged 51-65 who are not taking estrogen, 1,500 mg; men and women over age 65, 1.500 mg.

o Vitamin D. Take in the morning sun, and because sunblock and clothing can prevent sunlight absorption, go bare. Allow the sun to touch your naked skin, so that vitamin D is easily absorbed. Five to 10 minutes of sun exposure thrice a week is recommended, or you can supplement with 400iu of vitamin D. (Note: vitamin D can be toxic if taken in excessive dosages.)

o Magnesium is an essential mineral needed to treat almost any condition, from depression to a heart attack and bone problems. The role of this mineral is to ensure that calcium gets into the bones by converting vitamin D into its active form. According to Alan R. Gaby, MD, author of “Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis,” studies showed that women who took 250-750 mg of magnesium daily for six months and decreased dosage over 18 months experienced decrease in the rate of bone loss.

Magnesium-rich foods are green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, seafood, nuts and dairy product.

Beauty mask: Mix in a bowl a fresh egg yolk and 1/2 tsp milk, scramble and apply on the face for a moisturizing mask. Leave on for five minutes, then rinse.

Affirm today: “I am as radiant as the sun.”

Love and light!