Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (136 page)

Use natural eczema creams.
Herbal creams can be as effective as cortisone creams in reducing eczema, and they don’t have the negative side effects. Licorice root stimulates production of healing and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Use of a 2 percent licorice cream is recommended. Chamomile creams are widely used in Europe. A recent study compared a chamomile product, Kamillosan, against 0.5 percent hydrocortisone cream. After two weeks, the Kamillosan was reported to give slightly better results than the hydrocortisone cream. Look in health-food stores or ask your health professional to find a product that works for you.

Try Jonathan Wright’s protocol.
This is outlined earlier in the chapter.

Take vitamin C.
A study of 10 young people with severe eczema showed that supplementation with vitamin C significantly improved eczema and immune function. They needed only half as many antibiotics for treating skin infections as the control group. Take 1,000 to 3,000 mg mineral ascorbates or Ester-C daily. Do a vitamin C flush once a week. (See
Chapter 18
.)

Try evening primrose, flaxseed, and borage oils.
Studies show that people with eczema generally have low levels of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The first step in metabolism of linoleic acid, which allows for the conversion into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), is often impaired in people with eczema. Taking GLA directly in evening primrose, flaxseed, or borage oil circumvents blockage. GLA has an anti-inflammatory effect and benefits immune function. Take 1 to 2 grams three times daily of any of these oils or a combination.

Increase fish oil consumption.
One recent study on people with eczema showed a 30 percent improvement in a four-month trial of eight capsules of fish oil per day. Though the placebo group was given corn oil, which gave an improvement of 24 percent, results suggest that people with eczema have a generalized need for essential fatty acids. Eating cold-water fish—salmon, halibut, sardines, herring, tuna—two to four times each week can provide you with the omega-3 oils you need. If you use fish oil capsules, do so under the supervision of a physician. They cause a significant increase in clotting time and should not be used by people with hemophilia or those on aspirin or anticoagulant drugs.

Try quercetin.
Quercetin, the most effective bioflavonoid for anti-inflammation, can be used to reduce pain and inflammatory responses and control allergies. Take 500 to 1,000 mg three to four times daily.

Use turmeric.
For eczema, turmeric can be used in combination with neem, an Ayurvedic remedy for parasites and infections.

Try a nickel-restricted diet.
The relationship between nickel sensitivity and eczema has appeared recently in scientific literature. Nickel is an essential nutrient that is found in many enzymes. However, excess nickel is an irritant to the GI lining. You can be tested for nickel sensitivity through skin testing or an oral challenge. Nickel is used as an alloy in jewelry, so if jewelry irritates your skin or turns it gray, you may be sensitive to nickel. If you are, a low-nickel diet should be followed for a limited period of time. High-nickel foods are chocolate, nuts, dried beans and peas, and grains.

Neutralize reactions.
There are many ways to minimize the effects of food sensitivities. Clinical ecologists can provide neutralization drops to counteract your reaction to particular foods. These drops work like allergy shots—a small amount of what you are sensitive to helps stimulate your body’s natural immune response. Malic acid can also curtail sensitivity reactions.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by long-term muscle pain and stiffness. According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 million to 6 million Americans, 85 to 90 percent of whom are women. It affects about 2 percent of the general population and 20 percent of people with arthritic disease. It used to be called
fibrositis
, which implies an inflammation of fibrous and connective tissues such as muscles, tendons, fascia, and ligaments. Myofascial pain syndrome is similar but is characterized by just a few painful and achy places, most often in the jaw, that are tender when trigger points are touched.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by generalized aching, pain, and tenderness throughout the body. People complain of neck, shoulder, lower back, and hip pain that seems to move around from place to place. People often report fatigue and changes in sleep patterns. They often wake up during the night with a feeling of achiness or stiffness. About 40 to 70 percent of people with fibromyalgia also report irritable bowel symptoms: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, or bloating. Other symptoms that occur with frequency include cognitive decline, extreme sensitivity to touch, fatigue, bladder syndrome, tooth grinding, headaches, jaw pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, and depression. Symptoms that occur less often are heightened sensitivity to chemicals; intolerance to cold, heat, or bright lights; bladder problems; Raynaud’s phenomenon; difficulty concentrating; mood changes; dry eyes, skin, and mouth; painful menstruation; chest or pelvic pain; dizziness; nasal congestion; and numbness or swelling in the hands or feet.

The American College of Rheumatology bases the diagnosis on just two things: diffuse soft tissue pain for at least three months, and 11 out of 18 paired tender points. “Fibromyalgia” is often a catchall diagnosis for someone with aching muscles and fatigue. It is widely overdiagnosed. One study reported that it was overdiagnosed 66 percent of the time, which means that two-thirds of people didn’t get complete enough workups to rule out other medical issues. Symptoms of widespread pain and pain in trigger points can be due to a wide variety of conditions, so looking for an accurate diagnosis is critical.