A Note From The DoctorOne of the things I have noticed both in myself and my patients is that following toxic mold exposure, there seems to be a heightened sensitivity to molds and other allergens. This can appear as environmental allergies to pollen and mold or as multiple food allergies. I thought that perhaps all of us toxic mold victims were just sentenced to a life of increased allergic response to the whole world. I thought that was true until I started taking, on a regular basis, a supplement that would make me feel like a normal person again! That supplement is an all natural product that has been around for many years. It contains quercetin which is a bioflavenoid substance found in abundance in apples and onions. Quercetin is a mast cell stabilizer and an anti-inflammatory substance. What, you may ask, is a mast cell? Well, mast cells are cells in your body that have immunoglogulins attached to the outer membrane that bind to allergens when you come into contact with them. When these immunoglobulins attached to the mast cell get enough allergens on them, they trigger the mast cell to explode and release all the compounds inside the mast cell. Can you guess what compounds are inside this mast cell? Histamines and other inflammatory mediators are what is inside the mast cell and what gets released into your body when they explode from too many allergens. Did you ever wonder why antihistamines only partly work? They only work a little because they are only blocking one of the inflammatory mediators involved in the allergic response, the histamines. There are many other inflammatory mediators that do not get blocked by anti-histamines but if the mast cell is stabilized so it does not explode, all the inflammatory mediators are kept inside the mast cell and not in the blood stream where it can cause symptoms. Did you know that there is a pharmacceutical that is a chemical analog of the quercetin molecule. They could not use the quercetin molecule because you can not patent a natural substance. This pharmaceutical is called Cromolyn sodium and it stabilizes mast cells just like quersetin. The supplement that I have used with great success that contains a good amount of quercetin is called Natural D-Hist and is made by a reputable company called Orthomolecular Products. I have recommended this product to my patients for 15 years. I have never seen any bad side effects from this supplement. Also, the great thing about it is you can also continue your antihistamine if you need it because they work by different mechanisms of action. But, you probably will not need your anti-histamine anymore. It is that effective. There are other ingredients in Natural-D-Hist that help with the allergic response. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple that acts as a mucolytic (thins out mucous so it is not as thick and hard to drain). N-acetyl-cysteine acts as a powerful mucolytic (thins mucous) so sinuses drain easier. It is also a potent liver detoxifier. Vitamin C helps strenghten the immune system. Stinging nettles helps control the allergic response by supporting nasal passageway health.
So, if you are wondering why you just don't feel quite back to normal after being exposed to toxic mold, consider that your body might be in a heightened state of allergic response. In other words, your body is reacting allergically to molds, pollens and even foods (especially foods with mold in them). But, the reactions are much stronger than most people experience. I do not know why this seems to occur more frquently in those exposed to toxic mold. I have noticed in myself that it seems to be that final piece of the puzzle to feelin back to normal. Wishing you the best of health, Dr. Mary Short-Ray D.O. |
