Trans fat

[koe2moe]

Another alert in case you are puzzled with what might be causing an allergic reaction.  I am sure that i no longer react to wheat, gluten, flour, grains, yeast, etc but from time to time i react to a new bread and reactions can be quite significant.  I had two small slices of pizzas last night for dinner and my sinus were swellng up and i could feel that stinging pain inside growing.

It was Trans fat.  Here is more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat

[Buntybear]

Koe, you mean you are allergic to fat?? 

[koe2moe]

Lol yeah, i did have reaction to vegetable oil and then treated.  Trans fat is different, it is polyunsaturated fat, so longer chains but with a double carbon carbon bond.  On the wikipedia entry, it lists a lot of potential health risks also.  I guess my body is just very sensitive. 

[EllenS]

I know transfat can contribute to inflammation - I am sensitive to inflammatory reactions and eating a lot of transfat will give me a "flare-up".  Are you sure whether yours is a true allergy, (which could be treated with antihistamine) or is systemic inflammation (which is helped by an NSAID or other anti-inflammatory treatment like arnica or fish oil) ?

[koe2moe]

Hi EllenS.  thanks for the information.  I have had a long history of multiple and complicated allergies/intolerances which led to weekly sinusitis/tonsilitis/strep throat/high fever, along with many other symptoms, like chronic muscle pain, back pain, brain fog, insomnia, headache, and strong emotions.  I had blood work done and they found hyper IgD antibodies, i never had any blood work done for IgE because it was screening for my immunity, rather than allergies.  The hyper IgD is known to cause inflammation and high fever and when i had a reaction, i am susceptible to viruses which normally live in oral cavity and hence the repeated infection scenarios.

I say "have had" because i use alternative therapy for allergy elimination and now react to very few things.  So i was puzzled as to what in the breads i reacted to. 

[EllenS]

Yes, I have autoimmune disease also and when you are reacting to stuff it becomes a very gray area between the two! 

[koe2moe]

It was so tough with a young baby and having all these illnesses and symptoms!  It took me a year to discover that it was allergies!   Hugs to you.  Have you tried alternative med?

[EllenS]

Somewhat.  Mine is concentrated on the thyroid, but if I am under stress or not eating/sleeping well I am prone to flare-ups that include depression/anxiety with intrusive thoughts, bad memory, brain fog, distractability, severe joint & muscle pain, fatigue, swelling, etc. 
I have a prescription for natural porcine thyroid extract but I also reduce gluten and eat whole/anti-inflammatory foods, try to eat pastured meats and local/organic produce and just try to generally stay on a balanced lifestyle routine with regular mild exercise, fish oil, and Vitamin D.
Alternative practitioners are not covered under my health insurance, so I am spending the money on better quality food instead.

[koe2moe]

I hear you!  I just couldnt manage all the symptoms and caring for a family.  I was desperate and i wanted to be rid of the allergies after i saw how my friend who was born with ezcema and hay fever had completely clear skin and without her normal sneezing saga.  AND i could get insurance to cover it.  Then i just took courses myself to help myself to save on the med bills.  Hehe Lots of hugs!!!  Xx

[EllenS]

I have thought of taking some courses on naturopathy - what have you studied?

[koe2moe]

I am pragmatic, so i want cures.  I had NAET treatment and studied Touch for Health kinesiology, so i can practice now.  I might also take NAET courses but i am now seeing plenty more interesting courses that can help  many people.  Where are you located? 

[EllenS]

I'm in the Southeast US.  I am interested in herbal and nutritional health, but energy work is a bit outside my purview.  My religious beliefs are such that I ascribe a spiritual significance to the "laying on of hands" and would not wish to practice that or have it done to me outside of my own religious tradition.

[koe2moe]

I am not sure what your beliefs are but i am a protestant christian and the kinesiology is based on chi, energy of life as described in traditional chinese medicine.  Being chinese, this is not foreign to me and research has shown that chi is measurable, very scientific.  I do understand where you are coming from as i was very skeptical about it all when i knew nothing about them.  I have first hand experience of it now.  The healing power of our body is amazing, that is what our God has given us. 

I am aware of some other kind of energy healing that might not be compatible with my beliefs but i dont know too much about those. 

[EllenS]

Also protestant Christian.  Please don't take offense, I meant no disrespect to your own beliefs or your cultural background.  I have had a lot of experiences with chi based practices - some before I was a Christian -  and as I say I do take it very seriously.  Best of luck to you, and I'm glad you have got relief from your symptoms.

[koe2moe]

No problem at all.  I do understand how certain things can sound so dodgy.  My own sister will not turn to chinese medicine at all.  Best of luck to you, too.  I know how hard it gets.  I did not look ill at all on the outside, so even my DH didnt really understand why i was struggling so much with daily mundane things.  I would be interested to hear more about chi based stuff.  I am doing this in good faith and i thank the Lord everyday for leading me to it.  I am helping others also.  If there is in any way devious to my faith, i would stop with no hesitation.  Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more.  God bless!