Walk softly – on moisturized feet!


“It’s never too late to look after yourself. Never too late to eat healthily, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and look after your skin. You’d be amazed at how quickly your skin and body can rejuvenate given the right environment.” - Jana Elston, a professional beauty therapist, skincare educator, and beauty blogger.


ment in my own life. Today we are looking at skin, and the


*I


products which can improve it. Now, as a podiatrist, I am not trying to sell prod- ucts, I am trying to explain a bit about skin.


The skin on the plantar sole is different


from most of our other areas of skin. The skin on the sole is thickened for a pro- tective function. It is thicker at the heel and lateral (outside) edge of the foot. The plantar skin is much more resistant to abrasion (meaning that when we walk barefoot the skin has some protection against penetrating objects). The skin on the plantar sole has a higher pain threshold to abrasion (compared to say, the skin on your thigh). These two characteristics enable plantar sole skin to avoid pain and injury in barefoot walking. I am often asked, “What makes a good foot cream?”


Dr. Gillian Aldous Foot Notes


always feel somewhat guilty


about quotes such as this. There is a lot of room for improve-


The answer isn’t completely straight forward: it depends on the condition of your feet. There are two main foot skin complaints: dry skin, and heavy callused (thick, horny) skin. If your skin is dry, then there is a loss of water in the


upper layer of skin. In this case, you will need to use an emollient or moisturiser. These products (such as lanolin or mineral oil) form an oily layer on top of the skin which traps water in the skin. Some other chemicals (the humectants) such as glycerin draw water into the skin’s outer layer. Other hu- mectants are honey, aloe. Please note: if your skin has cracked,


then this should be an open wound. If you are not so healthy, have diabetes, or any other condition where your immune sys- tem is compromised then cracks need to be covered until the skin has healed. Open wounds can allow foreign bodies (dirt) to enter the body and can cause infection. However, if your skin has already be- come crusty, thickened and hard then reg-


ular emollients/moisturisers may need some more help. This is the time to EXFOLIATE, use a file, or abrasion to begin the remove this thickened skin layer. (Don’t do this so often, too much aggressive filing can be painful). However, another super product (also a humectant) is UREA. Urea dissolves the matrix of the callus and soft-


It’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself.


ens these areas. Be cautious! A reasonable amount of urea is between 10 and 15%, in higher concentrations it can damage the skin. IMPORTANT!! Again, I urge caution for any weakened person or diabetic, these products can cause wounds to the skin, if used incorrectly. It is nice to use a product which feels nice, and smells


nice, but I think it is more important to put some cream on the feet regularly (men included, why shouldn’t you love the skin you’re in?) I often say that moisturised skin isn’t “feminine or girly” but healthy. Wounds heal better on good skin. I am a great believer in the power of a super cheap available product called VASELINE. In my mind, it’s a winner. Dr. Gillian Aldous is a podiatrist working from the Madi- son Square Orthorehab Clinic. Evening appointments are available Thursdays.


Control those nasty summer hay fever and asthma reactions Natural Allergy Solutions, Part 2 I


n the last entry in this series, I outlined a variety of products and lifestyle changes that can help to re- duce or eliminate allergy symptoms in- cluding phototherapy, nasal cleansing, and air filtration. In addition to lifestyle modifications and environmental im- provement, there are a number of natu- ral supplements that can reduce allergy symptoms. As mentioned in Part I, exposure to allergens doesn’t


cause a reaction


with most people; the par- ticles are generally harm- less. Allergy symptoms occur when


the body


mistakes these particles as invaders, triggering an overreaction of the im- mune system that causes increased production


of


the antibody immuno- globulin-E (IgE). The next time you are exposed to that allergen, special- ized mast cells release various chemicals including histamine which lead to the classic allergy symptoms including con- gestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and mucus production. Probiotics: The connection between


Nathan Zassman Natural Health


importance of dendritic cells in helping balance the immune response that re- sults in allergy symptoms. PPC boosts dendritic cell development nine-fold in just nine days, and reduces IgE two- fold in fourteen days, while promoting disease-fighting T cell response. Plant Sterols: These naturally oc- curring plant fats are found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Plant sterols have a wide range of health benefits includ- ing


helping to


late the inflammatory response


They can also help lower cholesterol,


block


to modu- allergens. the


enzyme associated with male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate,


and


decrease levels of cortisol – the stress hormone that can adversely affect the immune system. Nature’s richest source of plant sterols is rice bran solubles. Supplements that work well to alleviate


the microbiome (our gut microbiota) and the immune system is one of the most active areas of medical research to- day. Our immune system health is close- ly linked with healthy oral and gastro- intestinal bacteria. Increasing levels of good bacteria through supplementation can help to balance immune response and prevent the overreaction to aller- gens. I recommend a quality probiotic, taken two to three times a day. Nutritional Supplements: Some of the powerful dietary supplements that work to balance the immune system in- clude Proligna pine cone extract, plant sterols, Pycnogenol, magnesium, zinc, stinging nettle, olive leaf extract, and quercetin. Proligna Pine Cone Extract (PPC):


Pine cone extract has a long history of usage around the world, particularly in Japan. Fourteen patents and over 31 peer-reviewed studies support its use for immune enhancement,


antiviral,


antibacterial, and anticancer activities. I take one small capsule daily, and have not succumbed to a cold or flu for as long as I’ve been taking it. Allergy research has identified the


8 whatsupwinnipeg.ca


allergy symptoms have a minimum of 117 mg of beta-sitosterol per capsule, combined with Cellasate and Enzo- genol. Cellasate is a blend of essential fatty acids designed to increase bioavail- ability, and Enzogenol is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compound from the bark of New Zealand pine trees.


Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): An


herb frequently prescribed for the treat- ment of migraine headaches, recent research found it to be as effective at reducing allergy symptoms as a well- known anti-histamine drug, but with- out the drowsiness that is a common side effect.


Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella sa-


tiva): Also called black seed oil, many health professionals believe this oil to be among the most powerful natural immune balancing products, with a tre- mendous range of health benefits. For allergy relief, I recommend two 500 mg capsules twice a day, or one tablespoon of black cumin seed liquid daily. Pycnogenol: Research indicates that Pycnogenol reduces hay fever, nasal, and ophthalmic symptoms. Additional benefits may be seen when taking it for at least 5 weeks prior to allergy season; some users report being able to lower or eliminate their allergy or asthma medications. An extract from French maritime pine bark, Pycnogenol is one


of the most effective supplements for improving microcirculation, male fer- tility, and athletic performance. It helps maintain beautiful healthy skin, and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (including deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins). Olive Leaf: When taken at the on- set of symptoms, olive leaf helps the body produce a decongestant effect in the body. I prefer the liquid complex, which is higher in anti-inflammatory components than olive leaf extract cap- sules. Olive leaf can also help normal- ize blood pressure and reduce the inci- dence of colds and flu. Omega-3: A German study found those with the highest levels of ome- ga-3 essential fatty acids were less likely to overreact to potential allergens. Re- searchers found the higher the omega-3 levels, the greater the effect. Omega-6 fats can cause inflammation, while omega-3 fats are anti-inflammatory. I recommend a balanced 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in the diet, and avoiding oils high in omega-6 in- cluding grapeseed, corn, safflower, sun- flower, rice bran, canola, peanut, wal- nut, and soybean oil. Choose oils high in monounsaturated fat (olive, macada- mia nut, avocado), saturated fat (coco- nut, red palm) and omega-3 (camelina and flax). Vitamin C with


Bioflavonoids:


Two to three grams of vitamin C taken in divided doses (ideally 500 mg every four hours) can be effective at reduc- ing allergy symptoms. Choose a for- mula with bioflavonoids, which help strengthen capillaries and stabilize mast cells. I recommend buffered forms of vitamin C, which combine ascorbic acid with minerals like magnesium and calcium to increase the alkalinity. Min- eral ascorbate forms of vitamin C are easier on the stomach, with the added benefits derived from the minerals in the formula. I also recommend vitamin C for- mulas that use threonic acid enhanced buffered calcium ascorbate combined with alpha lipoic acid, a powerful an- tioxidant that recycles vitamin C in the body. This combination maintains high levels of vitamin C in the bloodstream for up to 12 hours, while most formu- las must be taken every three to four hours for optimal results. Quercetin: One of the most effec-


tive natural antihistamines, quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in onions, apples, blueberries, okra, buckwheat, olive oil,


citrus fruits, green tea, and red wine. Quercetin may also be effective at re- ducing symptoms of asthma. Research- ers at Tufts Medical Center found that 300-1000 mg per day can help allevi- ate allergy symptoms by reducing the inflammatory response. Stinging Nettle: The roots of sting- ing nettle have traditionally been used to help reduce an enlarged prostate, but the shoots can be effective for treat- ing kidney stones, arthritis, and allergy symptoms including hay fever. In a re- cent study, 60% of those taking 300 mg per day experienced relief. Zinc: Studies show that over 40%


of seniors are deficient in zinc, one of the most important minerals for the immune system. When histamine- producing mast cells are zinc deficient, zinc lozenges can help stop the release of histamine and provide quick relief, often lasting up to 12 hours. Oral loz- enges containing zinc acetate or zinc gluconate are usually recommended to help combat the common cold, but with continued use, some find that al- lergy symptoms disappear completely. I recommend taking a multivitamin that supplies a minimum of 15 mg of zinc per day, but if you are a vegetarian or don’t often eat animal products, I rec- ommend 30 mg. Magnesium: According to Terry Phillips, Ph.D., “Magnesium deficiency definitely accentuates the allergic situa- tion.” A key nutrient that is required for over 360 biochemical reactions in the body, over 60% of the population is de- ficient, and many pharmaceutical drugs interfere with its absorption. Magne- sium helps relax constricted airways while inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells. Studies have found that higher levels of histamine are associated with magnesium deficiency. I recom- mend a multivitamin that contains a 300 to 500 mg of magnesium per day in divided doses. For the highest bio- availability, I recommend Magnesium Synergy from AOR, as it also contains zinc and nutrient cofactors that improve magnesium absorption. The key to alleviating allergies is mod-


ulating the immune response to prevent the overreaction that results in allergy symptoms. The recommendations out- lined here can help control the response without the side effects of prescription medicines, and can provide additional natural health benefits.


Nathan Zassman is the owner and presi- dent of Aviva Natural Health Solutions.


August 2019


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