Protect and deflect
You've heard me talk about probiotics, and how they support healthy gut function by protecting the healthy bacteria in your digestive system. Well, here's another bit of good probiotic news: A recent study showed that they also protect you against liver cancer.
During the study, researchers monitored 90 healthy young men in China. The men were assigned to two different groups -- one that received probiotics twice a day, five days a week and another that received a placebo. The researchers wanted to test a theory that probiotics could block the absorption of chemical called aflatoxin B1-N7-guanine, which is thought to cause liver cancer. Turns out their theory was right.
Five weeks later, after testing the men's urine, researchers noticed that the men receiving the probiotics had much lower quantities of this chemical than the men receiving the placebo. Apparently the probiotics prevent your liver from absorbing the aflatoxins, making it harder for those chemicals to do serious damage.
As an added bonus, probiotics also help fight diarrhea and support your immune system, helping you to fight off disease. They're also a must-have if you're taking antibiotics. (Probiotics protect the healthy bacteria in your system, which are usually killed off by antibiotics.)
Sacchoromyces from Florastor, PB8, Kyodophilus, New Chapter's All-Flora, and Jarrow's Jarro-Dophilus, are all great probiotic products that I recommend to my own patients, and that I often take myself. Wal-Mart, Vitamin Shoppe, and Costco also have good, reliable, less expensive products that also work. You could also try my own Healthy Gut formula, available through Pure Country Naturals. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you'll get a special, limited-time only price of $19.95. Call 1-800-913-2565, and use the order code MGUT.
Kick allergies -- not your pets -- to the curb
Being allergic to animals -- like so many people are -- doesn't mean you can't love and keep a pet. You just have to go about it the right way.
If you don't already have a cat or dog, but you'd like to get one, the first thing to consider is the type of animal you're getting. It's a well-known fact that certain breeds carry more allergens than others. For instance, if you're prone to allergic reactions just from sharing a room with a furry friend, your best bet is (you'll never believe it) a poodle.
You see, a lot of dogs have what's called a double coat. Their fur is twice as thick, so they shed twice as much. But certain breeds -- such as poodles, bichons frisés, Malteses, and Portuguese water dogs -- have only one coat, and their fur is less shed-prone.
Certain cats are also more allergy-friendly, though cats in general are worse for your allergies than other pets. In fact, some people even have allergic reactions to hairless cats. But some cats are known to shed up to 100 times more than other breeds. But if you are an allergy-prone person who's determined to get a cat, stick with a light-colored one.
That's right. For some reason (I'm not sure why) cats with lighter coats are known to carry few allergens than cats with darker coats.
Of course, if you already have a cat or dog, you can't just kick it to the curb. So here are some things you can do to keep your allergies at bay.
1. Run a clean house. Make sure that you clean your pet's cage or sleeping area every week. It's even better if you have someone who can do it for you (after all, you're probably just as allergic to pet dander and waste as you are to the pet itself). And don't forget to empty litter boxes every day, and change the litter at least every week.
It's also a good idea to wash pet cushions and blankets every week. Use the hottest water possible, and make sure to tumble-dry it (your dryer will catch some of that extra pet hair that the washer can't get out).
Finally, it's important to keep the air in your home just as clean as you do your linens and furniture. Consider getting a HEPA filter, or my own personal favorite, the Fresh Air Machine, which is the perfect size for small to medium-sized rooms. They're not cheap -- just under $200 for one unit -- but they work, and the more of them you buy, the cheaper they are. Go to www.freshairmachine.com.
2. Keep your pet clean too. The cleaner your dog is, the less likely it will be to shed allergens -- both pet-borne and otherwise -- around the house. Cleaner, neatly groomed dogs shed less, and are less likely to carry dirt and dust up onto your furniture and carpet.
If all else fails, there are drug options. There are daily antihistamines and even allergy shots you could take if nothing else is working, and you just can't let go of your pet. But before you try those, it's a good idea to consider a supplement like quercetin, an antihistamine found in onions, apples, and green and black teas. Try 1,000 to 2,000 mg of quercetin, one to three times daily. Jarrow, Now Foods, Source Naturals, and Solgar all offer good products.
Until next time,
Dr. Alan Inglis
House Calls
