If allergies are making your life unbearable, it could be the microbes in your gut.   Typically a healthy body can resist pathogenic attacks on a daily basis. When we have chronic symptoms such as allergies, our body is telling us there is a problem.  I hear this following statement from people all the time in regards to allergies and their habitual use of OTC allergy medications "my doctor said I'm just more susceptible to pollen" But why? Why is your condition now chronic? The Study Scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School presented findings from studies involving mold and laboratory mice. Results showed that antibiotics might be responsible for producing changes in microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn could impact the way the immune system responds to common allergens in the lungs.  They claim antibiotic use eliminated bacteria in the gut, which enabled fungi to take control until the bacteria grew back after antibiotics use was...

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, although distinguished by well-known characteristics, are collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD is characterized by a host of symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding, weight loss, fever, and a host of extra-intestinal symptoms, including disorders of the eyes, liver, gallbladder, muscles and joints, kidneys, and skin. The treatments usually focus on relief of symptoms with anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery (i.e. removal of the affected part of the intestines).    The cause of IBD remains "unknown." Some have implicated a viral etiology to IBD. In the medical journal The Lancet, Dr. Wakefield and colleagues found that three of four offspring in mothers that had measles during pregnancy developed severe Crohn’s later in life. Of note is that recurrent antibiotic-resistant pneumonia preceded the Crohn’s in every case. This is important because antibiotics are known to increase the risk of fun...

  Why does my AC unit smell musty? This is one of the most frequently asked questions during the summer months. Most people are referring to the removable, window-mount units. The answer is quite simple.   Mold requires three things in order to grow: 1. Organic material. 2. Moisture (water) 3. Oxygen   Over time the AC unit will collect dust, dander, dirt and other material that may contain organic material inside the housing. So, you now have 1 of the 3 needed. There is Oxygen in the air. Now we have 2 of the 3. The AC unit is one big condenser which produces moisture. Now we have 3 of the 3 needed. So, it is just a matter of time before mold and bacteria are growing in you AC unit. Although the means of contamination is different, this is common with all AC systems, including residential and commercial HVAC systems. Treatment Window-Mount - We offer services to address mold in these units, however the prices of new units are so inexpensive, unless you had...

  Health risks from Chlorine exposure are being documented more and more every year.     Asthma in Children Associated w/ Chlorine Exposure A new study published in the Journal Pediatrics found that children who spend a lot of time at indoor swimming pools during their early years are more prone to developing asthma, recurrent bronchitis, and other breathing problems as they grow older, compared to others who do not frequent indoor pools.The researchers believe that harmful gases trapped indoors from the chlorinated pools are to blame for the airway damage. The main culprit: trichloramine, or nitrogen trichloride, is created when chlorine reacts with ammonia, which can be found in the sweat and urine from swimmers. Pediatrics 2007 Jun;119(6):1095-103   A European Study Methods : We have examined the relationships between the prevalences of wheezing by written or video questionnaire, of ever asthma, hay fever, rhinitis and atopic eczema as reported by the Internati...

     I wrote this post way back in the early 2000's. It seems PUR has now thankfully gone out of business. They even had a water filter that would inject their toxic flavoring into your fresh glass of filtered water. Why even filter it in the first place? Unfortunately now there are other liquid flavor additives and powdered drink mixes currently available which are just as bad. Before you buy such a product, read up on it. Don't trust because it is on the shelf it must be safe to consume. A lot of these products have nasty chemicals in them but since the amount is so low the FDA allows it because it falls under the exposure limit. Well recent studies show micro dosing of almost anything including vitamins and spices show an effect on the body.  Although this original post is dated, it is still a fun read and still poignant. Remember you are what you eat! Original Post This is a little off topic for this blog, however there are a few things that burn my bottom t...

  Aflatoxin comes from a fungus found on corn and other crops and can cause severe liver damage in pets. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. — Sluggishness — Loss of appetite — Jaundice (yellow whites of the eyes, gums, belly) — Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea — Fever Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) In The News COLUMBIA, S.C. - The FDA reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods. The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals. The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, S.C., plant from around September to November 2005. Based on sample testing, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11, Brinkma...

    As soon as we posted the Ozone for DIY'ers - Part 1 , we received email asking to talk more about the " scammers " out there selling products claiming to treat mold. A few emails asked for specific names of products. I don't want to list names, but I think you will see a pattern which will help you decide for yourself. How can you tell if you may be dealing with a scammer ? Well, anyone promising you something too good to be true is a good sign. Off the top off my head I can think of three questionable products out there. All three of these products are sold by individuals that seem to be involved with pyramid selling, like AMWAY (multi-level marketing). The salespeople will not only sell you a unit, but try to recruit you into selling them. Some just want to sell you a product. Most of them will have business cards with a "code number" on it, or a website offshoot dedicated with their name at the end, example www.scammerozone.com/johndoe   Belo...