A newly published study in the British Medical Journal showed that chronic use of oral and/or inhaled glucocorticoids affected the white and gray matter of the brain. Glucocorticoids are a class of pharmaceutical medications used to treat chronic allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or autoimmune diseases. The good news is that the brain seems to be able to repair itself if the medications are discontinued.
WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO THESE MEDICATIONS?
As with everything there is often a root cause to triggering the symptoms to begin with. In my clinical practice, I find that identifying underlying food sensitivities and/or environmental allergens as well as supplying the body with the right nutrition through diet and/or supplementation is the key to not needing these anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications.
IDENTIFYING FOOD SENSITIVITIES
Our office uses the lab KBMO Diagnostics to identify food sensitivities. They offer testing that measure sensitivities to up to 176 different foods, coloring and additives using the Food Inflammation Test, also known as the FIT Test. The test was created by Brent Dorval, Ph. D, who was involved in the creation of the first HIV/AIDS rapid diagnostic assay. The FIT test comes in three panels; the FIT 22, FIT 132, and FIT 176. The FIT Test is the most sensitive food test available using patented technology. The multiple pathway approach allows us to look at not only food sensitivities but also inflammation and gut permeability all from one test.
IDENTIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGENS
Our office refers to allergists local to the patient’s area to test and identify possible environmental allergens as cause to their conditions.
NUTRITION
In addition to developing a meal plan that is anti-inflammatory based on each patient’s individual food sensitivities. Possible nutritional supplements that could be prescribed are as follows:
Quercetin - This supplement is believed to work by stabilizing cell membranes, reducing the release of histamine, so the cells are less reactive to allergens. Adding the supplemental enzyme bromelain increases the amount of quercetin absorbed in the digestive tract.
Fish Oil - In particular, the omega-3 essential fatty acid in fish oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) - This amino acid has been shown to have mucolytic and antioxidant properties that may also influence several inflammatory pathways.
Vitamin D3 - This vitamin has been shown to have immune modulating effects on our immune system and can be beneficial for preventing conditions that require glucocorticoid prescriptions.
REFERENCES
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/8/e062446
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Since 2005, Dr. Fey has helped women, men, and children find real solutions to their health concerns. She truly believes that giving the proper care and nutrients your body has an amazing ability to heal. She is committed to finding the root cause of illness by utilizing a whole body approach not just focusing solely on presenting symptoms. With her scientific background, Dr. Fey uses science based natural approaches to treating disease.
Dr. Amanda Fey is the owner and practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Complementary Medicine & Healing Arts, the Southern Tiers Center for Natural Healthcare located in the Binghamton NY area. The office website is www.naturallywell.us. Dr. Fey is currently offering telemedicine for patients all across the US. To contact the office, call 607-729-0591 or email cmhahealth@gmail.com.
For weekly health tips, check out Dr. Fey’s social media pages! She’s on Instagram: @drfeynd and Facebook: Dr. Amanda Fey, ND.