It’s unusual for a dietary supplement to have more than twenty studies to support its use, while at the same time being relatively unknown in most parts of the world. However, this is precisely the case for an obscure Japanese product known as fermented papaya preparation or FPP. In essence, this nutraceutical is an extract Related posts: Fermented Foods for Allergies Healthier Looking Skin Yoga for Diabetes

One of my current passions is to seek out the best-of-the-best fruits and encourage my clients, family and friends to eat more of them. By “best-of-the-best”, I mean fruits that offer a major upside and little, if any, downside. This is sometimes embodied in fruits that are high in fiber and/or nutrient dense. Other times, Related posts: Whole Body Health Black Garlic and Late Night Snacking New Hope for Seasonal Allergies

Whether it’s because of a cold or allergies, coughing at night is not only annoying, it prevents you from getting the sleep you need to stay healthy. Before you down cough medicine (which often just masks the cough), you might want to relieve your nighttime cough with one of these natural remedies. Steam up: Before hitting the hay, create a steam room in the bathroom. Shut the door, don’t turn on the fan, and take a hot shower. Let the water gently run on your face, or if that’s too intense, place a warm washcloth on your sinuses, allowing the heat and steam to help relieve sinus congestion. You can even use a neti pot in the shower – just be sure to fill it with warm distilled or sterilized water, not the shower water. Using a neti pot after you’ve breathed in steam can make it more effective. Get moist: Since dry air can often cause a dry cough (especially in the Winter months when we crank up the heat), moisten the air you breathe by running a cool-mist humidifier on low throughout the night (I’m a fan of this humidifier from Crane ). In the morning, be sure to wipe down your windows and windowsills as condensation tends to form, and you don’t want this moisture to encourage mold growth, which can also aggravate a cough. Follow the directions that came with your humidifier when it comes to cleaning it, and disinfect it thoroughly at least once a week to avoid mold growth. Keep reading for more natural ways to beat your nighttime cough.

For people who suffer from seasonal allergies, this Manitoba winter isn’t bringing any relief.

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! Stay bright-eyed with these simple strategies to stop eye itching and redness By The Editors of Prevention Are You Seeing Red? If you find yourself frequently dealing with the itching and burning of dry eyes, you’re certainly not alone. But allergies , pollution, and an overheated office are not the only causes of red, burning eyes: your age may be the real culprit. After age 40, women see a significant reduction in tear production along with eye-drying hormonal changes, the two major reasons why most women over 40 experience dry eyes. And if you wear contacts, expect the itch and irritation to start even sooner. With a few simple lifestyle tweaks and a little help from artificial tears, you can get quick relief from aging’s annoying little side effect. 1. Use Tears Liberally Use artificial tears as often as you like; doctors say that most people underuse artificial tears. “You can use them as often as needed. From once or twice a day to every 20 minutes,” says Dr. Monica. These over-the-counter drops will cleanse your eyes and restore the right kind of tears. 2. Moisten your eyes before blow-drying your hair To keep from drying your eyes along with your tresses, use artificial tears before and after you blow-dry, says Dr. Monica. For extra measure, moisten your eyes halfway through too. 9 Tips to Healthier, Younger Hair Learn more ways to beat dry eyes after the break.

Flushing your nasal passages with warm salt water can do wonders for congestion and sinus pain caused by colds and allergies, but use a neti pot improperly , and it could result in death. Louisiana’s state health department has issued a warning for neti pots in response to two deaths thought to be linked to improper neti pot use. Both victims filled their neti pots with regular tap water instead of the manufacturer-recommended distilled or sterilized water. Louisiana state department health officials believe deadly brain-eating amoebas known as Naegleria fowleri, which can live in tap water, entered into the victims’ bodies through their noses, then made their way into their brains. The amoeba then infected each victim with a neurological disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which quickly destroys brain tissue, usually killing in a matter of days. Scary, I know, but don’t throw out your neti pot just yet. Keep reading to find out how to safely irrigate your sinuses.

Christmas tree growers say a family doctor’s claim about Christmas trees triggering allergies is “unfair.”

People with allergies might want to reconsider having a Christmas tree in their homes, says a family doctor.

Jack Frost isn't the only thing nipping at your nose this holiday season. Although the allergy season has its peaks in spring and fall, the sights and smells of the holiday season can also be one big allergy Grinch. From Christmas trees to chestnuts, and all the dusty decorations that were kept in storage the other 11 months of the year, Yuletide cheer can leave many allergy-sensitive people looking like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. One such sufferer, Jessica Aguiar, says she's been allergic to pine trees since she was a child, so she's unable to purchase a "real" tree to display her holiday cheer. Her symptoms include watery eyes, sneezing and – if she actually touches a tree – a skin rash. "Not the Christmas decorations I'd like to wear," she jokes. Another, Orlando resident Kimberly Burton, is extremely sensitive to artificial-fragrances like those found in potpourri. Burton admits her shopping habits completely change from the time that mall holiday decorations go out in September until the stores are completely aired out in February. "Unfortunately, it makes me dread holiday decorations coming out – and also forces me to get much of my shopping done well before the holidays are even here," she says. For example, her local grocery store of choice just stocked a display of potpourri near the freezer aisle so she has to choose another for the next couple of months. Dr. Joseph Leija, a National Allergy Bureau-certified allergist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, has several suggestions for sufferers. Following these tips can help ensure a sneeze-free season. Avoid trigger ingredients. Leija warns many traditional holiday recipes – including peanut brittle or the signature chestnuts on an open fire – call for tree nuts, which is one of the most common (and severe) food allergies. He also says citrus – oranges, lemons, clementines and even grapefruits that are popular ingredients this time of year – can trigger oral allergic reactions. Watch for the symptoms The ultimate problem is winter allergy symptoms can often be confused with the common cold but are just as serious (and irksome) as their other season equivalents. Plus, their effects are often intensified since families spend more time indoors during the colder months. Plan ahead If you make a preparation list and check it twice, Dr. Leija says it's easy to keep your allergies on the "nice" list this year. If you're visiting friends or relatives make them aware of your needs ahead of time. "Just as you would not drop in unexpectedly on someone, call ahead well in advance and politely share that a member of the family has allergies. Explain what the allergies are, to avoid being served peanut butter fudge if a nut allergy is present, or having Fido and Fluffy jump up in greeting," says Dr. Leija. "No one wants to turn a pleasant holiday gathering into an ambulance visit to the home, or have to see someone cough and wheeze. Hosts will appreciate the heads up and the opportunity to plan in advance." Avoid the real thing As for the tree, opt for an artificial version: Dr. Leija urges allergy sufferers to use fake trees, plants, garland and the like to decorate the home without adding mold. And if you miss the smell of "O Tannenbaum," many popular candle companies make pine-scented options – so long as your or any of your guests aren't allergic to synthetic fragrances as well. Keep the humidifier on low There's one final allergy attacker to watch out for in your home this holiday. Dr. Leija says that many people in the winter months use humidifiers and ultimately add too much moisture, which creates mold. To combat this, keep the humidity set to less than 50%. Safely store for next year And when the time comes to stow away all the merry embellishments for next year, store them – as well as your artificial tree – in large resealable plastic tubs to protect them from dust. That way next year you'll look forward to pulling them out of the attic, instead of dreading the start of the season. Filed under: Allergies Tagged: Sarah LeTrent — CNN

Whether it’s allergies or a nasty cold, being congested sucks. It’s hard to breathe, the sinus pressure is painful, and it can even affect your hearing. Blowing your nose offers some relief, but in cases where you’re really stuffed up, it can be pretty futile. OTC medicines help dry out mucus but leave users feeling loopy, sleepy, and spaced out. What’s left to do? The next time you’re feeling all stuffed up, try one of these natural remedies - you’ll be breathing free and clear! Steam it out : Whether it’s a steam room, hot shower, or a makeshift steam bath over a bowl of hot water, steam helps to loosen mucus and relieve congestion from your nose and chest. Intensify the benefits with the addition of eucalyptus oil, a natural decongestant . Whatever method you use, slowly breathe in the steam for about five minutes and then try blowing your nose and/or coughing. This is usually enough time to break up and loosen the mucus in the body. To aid with sleep, use a humidifier; it helps add moisture to the air , which will thin out mucus in your nasal passages. Grab a neti pot : It might sound a little uncomfortable, but using a neti pot does wonders for relieving nasal congestion and pain – just ask any ear, nose, or throat doctor. Neti pots (in combination with a DIY saline solution) help end nasal congestion by thinning out mucus and built-up crusting in the nose; think of it as a form of nasal irrigation. Still not convinced? Check out these neti pot tips for beginners . Get on the mat : From back pain to stress, yoga has the power to lessen the symptoms of a host of ailments - including congestion. This mini yoga sequence helps to open up the chest and get blood flowing. Soon enough, congestion will be cleared and that sinus headache gone! Eat and drink the right foods : When it comes to relieving congestion, there are some eating dos and don’ts. Do arm yourself with hot liquids like broth and herbal tea; hot liquid combined with steam helps thin out and loosen mucus . Don’t load up on dairy products; casein, the protein present in dairy, has been shown to increase mucus levels in a small section of the population.