Allergy: How and Why Do Allergies Develop?

Ever Wondered How You Develop An Allergy?

Allergies are becoming more and more common. In fact about thirty percent of people suffer from one or more allergies. Why? What exactly is an allergy anyway? And how do allergies develop?

Before we go much further, we need to define what an allergy is. A simple definition is: An allergic reaction (hypersensitivity reaction) is an inappropriate immune responses to a normally harmless substance.

This can be almost any substance natural or otherwise, for example pollens in the air may cause sneezing, runny eyes and/or nose and in severe cases an allergic response can actually result in a medical emergency and be potentially fatal.

So why do we get these allergies?

Normally, the immune system, which includes antibodies, white blood cells, mast cells, complement proteins, and other substances, defends the body against foreign substances known as antigens (substances that are antagonistic). However, in susceptible people, the immune system can overreact to certain antigens (called allergens), which are harmless in most people. The result is an allergic reaction (Merck, 2008).

Simply put, an allergic reaction is basically an over-reaction by your immune system to an otherwise benign substance.

Some people are allergic to only one substance, whilst others are allergic to many. So how do we become allergic to a substance that in the past we have not been allergic to?

To read the full article, view: Allergy: How & Why Do Allergies Develop?

Medical Science Confirms link between Acne and Diet

A recent article published and distributed through MedScap confirms a link between Diet and Acne. This is not new to natural therapy practitioners who have been saying this for decades.

Our bodies will respond to the types of foods we feed it; Good quality food high in nutrients and low in 'junk value' will help to promote good health and wellbeing. Your skin will sooner or later reflect the quality of food we've been eating, as will the health of the other organs in our body.

Food itself does not cause Acne, however, the type of food you eat can contribute to the severity, frequency and duration of an acne outbreak. Conversely it can also reduce this and to some extent prevent the outbreak of acne.

Eating a diet of mostly unprocessed food, high in nutrients and low in saturated fats will make a difference. In addition, keeping the body well hydrated and being physically fit, all contributes to fighting acne successfully.

To read the full article go to "Does Diet Cause Acne", it is a little heavy on the scientific terminology, however, if you read past the jargon, you will get some insightful information