inal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning andWhat are allergies? Allergies are a response of the immune system to outside influences, whether environmental or ingested. In an immune reaction, the body mobilizes itself to fight off a perceived threat. This reaction generates inflammation. Approximately one third of Americans suffer from allergies, although immune system responses vary from mild, as in sneezing or coughing, to severe, as in an anaphylactic reaction (affecting one's lungs). Allergies can be exacerbated by both physical and psychological stress.

Things that cause an allergic reaction in one person cause no reaction in another person. Almost anything in the world can cause an allergic reaction for someone somewhere in the world. There are a common set of "allergens”, however and these include pollen, dust, mold, animal fur, insect venom, chemicals found in household products, chemicals found in foods, certain medications and various foods.

Types of allergies: Allergies can be classified by the body part or function they affect. Some allergies affect the respiratory system, causing difficulty breathing or generating coughing and sneezing. Other allergies cause external inflammation such as skin rashes or eruptions or eye irritation. Finally, others disturb the gastro-intestinal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning and

mune system responses vary from mild, as in sneezing or coughing, to severe, as in an anaphylactic reaction (affecting one's lungs). Allergies can be exacerbated by both physical and psychological stress.

Things that cause an allergic reaction in one person cause no reaction in another person. Almost anything in the world can cause an allergic reaction for someone somewhere in the world. There are a common set of "allergens”, however and these include pollen, dust, mold, animal fur, insect venom, chemicals found in household products, chemicals found in foods, certain medications and various foods.

Types of allergies: Allergies can be classified by the body part or function they affect. Some allergies affect the respiratory system, causing difficulty breathing or generating coughing and sneezing. Other allergies cause external inflammation such as skin rashes or eruptions or eye irritation. Finally, others disturb the gastro-intestinal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning and

the world can cause an allergic reaction for someone somewhere in the world. There are a common set of "allergens”, however and these include pollen, dust, mold, animal fur, insect venom, chemicals found in household products, chemicals found in foods, certain medications and various foods.

Types of allergies: Allergies can be classified by the body part or function they affect. Some allergies affect the respiratory system, causing difficulty breathing or generating coughing and sneezing. Other allergies cause external inflammation such as skin rashes or eruptions or eye irritation. Finally, others disturb the gastro-intestinal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning and

llergies can be classified by the body part or function they affect. Some allergies affect the respiratory system, causing difficulty breathing or generating coughing and sneezing. Other allergies cause external inflammation such as skin rashes or eruptions or eye irritation. Finally, others disturb the gastro-intestinal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning andinal system, causing bloating or distension or other intestinal distress. What these three types of allergies have in common is that all are the reaction of an overly active immune system to substances external to the human organism. The inflammation that results, even when mild, adds stress to immune functioning and makes people more susceptible to other illnesses.

The role of inflammation in degenerative diseases of aging a system response that causes inflammation is the primary characteristic of an allergy. We now recognize that inflammation contributes to earlier onset and more rapid progression of many diseases of aging, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, some forms of cancer, heart disease - and even, according to Dr. Perricone (The Perricone Promise), skin wrinkling. A person who is striving toward good health must therefore pay attention to any systemic issue that results in inflammation and find ways to eliminate, reduce or control that inflammation. Many medical specialists and health advisors, one of them Dr. Irwin Weil, are now recommending and outlining "anti-inflammatory diets" as part of basic good health.

Western medical approaches to treating allergies: The first step, and this step is common to both medical and alternative natural approaches, is to figure out what generates allergic responses. This can be done in consultation with a doctor and/or by keeping a diary of negative physical reactions.

The second step, another common to both medical and alternative natural approaches, is avoidance. Increasingly potential toxins and allergen