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The HC Wellness Center offers both traditional and alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance. Featuring as its principle service Colon Hydrotherapy, formerly seen only at fine spas and destination resorts, HC Wellness Center & Spa is one of the first to offer this valuable wellness service to the Charlotte Metropolitan and surrounding areas. HC Wellness Center & Spa is a premier North Carolina spa providing the most luxurious, and beneficial wellness and beauty services available to the Charlotte Metropolitan and surrounding areas. Established in 2004 with the vision of combining traditional spa treatments, that promote relaxation and well being, with the most advanced skin, body and wellness services. The HC Spa supplies a moment of luxury for your body, mind and spirit. Here nature and science meet harmoniously as the finest massage, skin care and spa treatments await you.
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Monday, February 27, 2017

Surprise Findings Regarding Childhood Respiratory Allergies


Surprise Findings Regarding Childhood Respiratory Allergies

Some think that allergies are only passed genetically. There are actually several factors that determine whether or not children will have food, respiratory, or skin allergies. Some of these findings regarding childhood respiratory allergies may surprise you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the region of the country a child lives in, the years of schooling a child’s parents have, the amount of money their parents make, and the child’s gender potentially play a role in determining a child’s likelihood of showing symptoms of allergies.
hay fever resjp allergy infographic fv01d18
Northeast: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Midwest: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin,  Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas
West: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii
South: Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi,  West South Central, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas.

 Region

As you can see by viewing the infographic above, there are some slight differences in respiratory and hay fever percentages by region. The South takes the prize for the highest percentage of children with respiratory allergies and hay fever symptoms.

Gender

The child’s gender is also a factor. In every region, boys (between the ages of zero and seventeen) showed a higher percentage of hay fever/respiratory allergy symptoms than girls. In the most recent study, 2011 – 2013, boys in the Northeast showed symptoms of hay fever and respiratory allergies 15.7% of the time while girls showed symptoms 13.8% of the time. The gap of approximately two percent takes place in every region.

Other Factors

According to the CDC, race, family income level, and a parent’s educational are all factors when it comes to allergies.
“Hispanic children had a lower prevalence of food allergy, skin allergy, and respiratory allergy compared with children of other race or ethnicities. Non-Hispanic black children were more likely to have skin allergies and less likely to have respiratory allergies compared with non-Hispanic white children.

Food and respiratory allergy prevalence increased with income level. Children with family income equal to or greater than 200% of the poverty level had the highest prevalence rates. White children were more likely to have had hay fever (9%) than black children (7%). + Black children were more likely to have had skin allergies (19%) than Asian children (11%) or white children (10%).

Children with a parent who had education beyond a high school diploma were more likely to have had hay fever, respiratory allergies, food allergies, and skin allergies than children with a parent who had less than a high school diploma.

Overall health is also a factor when it comes to allergies. “Children in fair or poor health were two to three times as likely to have had respiratory allergies (30%), food allergies (18%), and skin allergies (28%) as children in excellent or very good health (9%, 5%, and 11%).”

Allergy Types

Of the three major allergy types (food, skin, and respiratory), the most common is respiratory. Nearly one in 5 children from the age of 10 – 17 reported a respiratory allergy condition within a one-year period.
Reported Allergic Condition18

 Fast Facts

Interesting fast facts (also from the CDC):

  • Number with reported hay fever in the past 12 months: 6.6 million
  • Percent with reported hay fever in the past 12 months: 9.0%
  • Number with reported respiratory allergies in the past 12 months: 7.8 million
  • Percent with reported respiratory allergies in the past 12 months: 10.6%
  • Number with reported food allergies in the past 12 months: 4.1 million
  • Percent with reported food allergies in the past 12 months: 5.6%
  • Number with reported skin allergies in the past 12 months: 8.8 million
  • Percent with reported skin allergies in the past 12 months: 12.0%


Nature’s Sunshine offers products that support the body’s efforts to maintain mucous membrane health especially when seasonal irritants are plentiful. One of these products is HistaBlock®.

Benefits:

  • Supports the body in times of respiratory stress.
  • Supports the body’s efforts to maintain a healthy mucous membrane.
  • Supports free breathing and may help reduce unpleasant symptoms associated with irritants.

How It Works:

HistaBlock provides nutrients that support healthy respiratory function as the body battles irritants, pollutants and toxins. Stinging nettle provides well-known support against seasonal airborne substances. This formula provides antioxidant strength to help stabilize mast cells.
The antioxidant quercetin has been used for its reputed effects in supporting the respiratory system. Quercetin may help stabilize cells that release compounds when exposed to irritants. Bromelain is an enzyme that works to help reduce the swelling of mucous membranes during times of respiratory stress. Bitter orange contains synephrine, which helps the body support open airways.

Ingredients:

Nettle leaves, quercetin, Bitter orange fruit and bromelain.
Thursday, February 23, 2017

The Gut - Brain Connection

Gut-BrainWhen working with clients who are victims of emotional imbalances that include, but are limited to, anxiety, panic, and depression, we work together to help them balance Wholistically: body, mind and spirit.

Science has demonstrated the importance of cultivating a healthy intestinal ecology known as the – microbiota – those health-enhancing microorganisms in our digestive health - critical inhabitants   to achieve wellness.  

Research has now validated that the bacteria in your gut can directly affect your behavior, emotions and everything from the ability to lose excess weight to our immune responses. This might be surprising for many, however it’s a critical, and often overlooked factor in treating anxiety. Healing and restoring balance to one’s digestive tract, ideally with the help of a nutritionally-aware health professional like a certified  practitioner, can make a huge difference in alleviating symptoms and overcoming imbalances...

Your digestive tract can be damaged by chronic stress, medication use (prescription and over-the-counter), exposure to foods that aren’t “real” food and have been chemically-altered, toxic environmental exposure, toxic dental products/restorations, etc., to name a few. In addition to the biological factors, other factors such as being in an unhealthy relationship, suffering from low self-esteem, struggling with panic attacks over needless worry about little things, all affect your intestinal ecology and therefore manifest throughout your body and mind.

No matter what the underlying issues of your anxiety, panic attacks or depression, experiencing it leaves you feeling isolated, down-right scared and mentally exhausted. When it comes to treating emotional distress, utilizing multiple agents of change is the most beneficial way to experience relief. For example, when treating anxiety, it’s extremely beneficial not only to receive therapy, but also to change your diet, exercise, use positive patterns of self-talk, self-discipline for self-care, introduction of relaxation techniques, and unconditionally understanding that we are what we eat!
Saturday, February 4, 2017

Signs Your Body is TOO ACIDIC...AND...the Health Consequences...

Signs Your Body is TOO ACIDIC...AND...the Health Consequences...






Acidic-alkaline-phchart_22016_3Knowing and monitoring your urine pH (potential hydrogen) is vital to good health. A pH level that is below the healthy range means your body is not doing a good job of ridding your system of acid, therefore, creating the perfect breeding ground for health-depleting microorganisms to flourish like viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungus’ and, yes, cancer cells.
The following are common symptoms that indicate your body is too acidic:
    • Inability to lose excess weight – regardless of dieting or exercise. This occurs because excess waste product in the form of acid stay stored within the body. It is not being eliminated because the organs of detoxification/elimination – colon, kidneys, lymphatics and skin – are not able to do their job of eliminating toxins. Many of my fibromyalgia clients don’t realize until we consult that the excess acid is being pushed back into the fat tissues and causes the “invisible” pain they experience. In addition, the acidic pH retards weight loss because the acidity acts like a magnet and keeps toxins in fat cells.
    • An acidic body will compensate by pulling minerals from your tissues and other organs. One of these minerals is calcium that is necessary for strength and bone health. A low urine pH causes weak bones as their supply of calcium is depleted; fractures occur easily, the reason patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia are asked to avoid acidic foods that deplete calcium (especially beef, caffeine and soft drinks).
    • Your bones store calcium, the same as your teeth. A study in the Int’l Journal of Chemical Engineering showed low pH in the mouth caused demineralization of tooth enamel and cause mouth bacteria to escalate production of lactic acid that results in cavities. Also, an acidic mouth may cause sensitivity to foods and drink temperatures as well as gum disorders/diseases like recession that leads to periodontitis and gingivitis.
  • An acid body allows hordes of microorganism to invade and multiply therefore triggering the immune responses and creating chronic fatigue – inhibiting your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Poor nutrient absorption affects the body’s abilities to produce hormones and enzymes that produce energy.
  • Your skin is the largest organ of absorption AND elimination AND one of the detoxifying organs. When the body is too acidic it becomes prone for bacteria and toxin overload. When this occurs it is usually a result of the liver not being able to eliminate the acidic toxic substances and the skin then compensates by flushing some of them out. When detoxification in this form occurs, it manifests as acne, clogged pores, allergies, rashes and eczema.
  • Excessive mucus production is the body’s natural defense mechanism against acid buildup – its attempting to flush the body through nasal passages. If you are a victim of frequent mucus build-up, your body is overloaded with acid. Chronic mucus buildup, and the irritation it creates, often results in excessive coughing, clearing of throat, wheezing, sinus infections, breathing problems, chest pain and sinus headaches.
  • An acidic body causes the muscles to constrict – further obstructing the oxygen-carrying blood capillaries running through the muscles and, therefore, causes strain and oxygen deprivation. In addition, it obstructs absorption of nutrients and vitamins from the blood that are necessary for proper function. When this occurs, the deprived muscles over-exert themselves to continue function, resulting in soreness and pain. If you experience muscle pain along with fatigue, without other natural causes like over-exertion, it’s a clear sign your body is overly acidic.
  • Inability to get restorative sleep can also result from a low urine pH. If your body is needing sleep yet you struggle to get to, or stay, asleep you should check your pH. If your body is acidic and leaching calcium from your bones to neutralize it, it can lead to sleeplessness or un-restorative sleep.
Getting Your Body Alkaline…
  • Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate – important to keep acids and all fluids moving and aid in their elimination via the digestive tract. Any efforts to achieve wellness or overcome an illness will fail if your body is not receiving adequate hydration. The rule of thumb is to drink half your weight in ounces (minimum daily). Therefore, if you weigh 150 lbs. you need a minimum of 75 ounces. Any drink that does not have forms of sugar or caffeine counts as water (Stevia and Lakanto can be used unlimited). I get tired of plain water so I make herbal teas (hot and iced) as well as fruit-infused waters.
  • Begin your day with Dr. Gloria’s Hot Lemonade – Yes, lemon is an acidic fruit but the difference is it’s only acidic outside the body; when inside it transforms to alkaline and raises your urine pH level. For an educational flier on the health benefits of Hot Lemonade first thing in the morning, Download Nature's Lemonade
  • Limit caffeine consumption – organic coffee is actually healthy but limit it to no more than two cups daily. If you love coffee, like I do, use organic water-processed decaf to satisfy that craving…and…it won’t disturb your sleep or cause that caffeine rush. For a brochure on conditions related to an acidic body Download TooAcidicRemedies.
  • AVOID – alcohol, soft drinks, processed meats, processed foods and artificial sugars.
  • Supplement your diet with calcium and magnesium – low pH starves your body of these minerals by leaching them out of your bones and tissues – see list of green leafy vegetables below, they are rich in calcium and magnesium as are organic dairy products. Mackerel and salmon are rich sources of calcium and magnesium, just watch the source for a healthy terrain in which they reside and AVOID any farm-raised fish.
  • Consume plenty of green leafy vegetables and avoid the nightshades known to accelerate inflammation. The following are the most alkaline: Kale, broccoli, cucumber, spinach, arugula, collards, chard, lettuce, zucchini, celery and green asparagus (white asparagus is acid-producing). Better yet, juice the alkalizing veggies of your choice into a healthy, green juice and drink it with breakfast.
  • Be sure to eat organic – genetically-modified food typically contains chemicals and other health-depleting additives.

NOTE: Be sure to buy those little pH urine testing strips and check your urine once a week first void of the morning and make a note of it for reference. The goal should be to have a consistent pH of about 7.3 – 7.5.