Why So Many People Are Allergic To Dairy And Soy

I was recently asked about the epidemic numbers of people suffering from food allergies, specifically dairy and soy products.  This population in the U.S. is so large that in fact the foods themselves have come to be considered generally "bad."  While certain natural substances are indeed toxic, these foods are not, in and of themselves, actually the problem.  The problem lies, as you will see, in the conditions in which these foods are produced, as well as the condition of most people's digestion in modern society.  Below are the many reasons why dairy and soy have become such serious food issues, some of which come from the traditional wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine, and some of which are explained by modern environmental and nutritional science.

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Ayurvedic Eating to Treat Seasonal Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, a simple shift in your diet can make a huge difference in your symptoms. According to Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, excess mucus production is treated by eating foods that are of the opposite qualities of phlegm, i.e. foods that are light, drying, and warming.

After a winter of eating heavy, rich foods, it's best in springtime to switch to lighter, fresh foods that help relieve sinus congestion and inflammation.  These include leafy green vegetables, most fruits, amaranth, quinoa, rye, barley, buckwheat, and spices.  Foods that increase mucus and allergy symptoms are cold, frozen, and greasy foods, dairy products, wheat, avocado, banana, dark meat, seafood, sugar, and salt.  Give this ancient prescription a try this allergy season and you'll be amazed how much lighter and clearer you feel. 

For great natural allergy remedies, click here.

Six Essential Elements of an Ayurvedic Cleanse

Do you ever feel like you're walking and thinking in a mud bog?  Can you relate to feeling sluggish or stagnant, less vibrant than you know you can be?  Maybe you suffer from extra weight or allergies? All of these are symptoms of your system being clogged. Before doing my first Ayurvedic detox, my "normal" was congested, lazy, and bloated.  But after the cleanse, I experienced such a heightened level of mental clarity and physical vitality that I've made it something I do several times each year.  It's actually pretty easy, and totally worth it, to take 8 days of your life and do everything in a different, clean way.

The Root Cause of Disease

According to Ayurveda, the root cause of all disease is the accumulation of toxins produced by improper digestion.  The traditional method for removing deep-seated toxins is a seasonal cleanse called panchakarma.  Nowadays you can go to Ayurvedic spas and clinics worldwide and spend significant time and money receiving this 2500-year-old detox treatment.  You also can adapt these ancient principles and receive huge benefits by doing a home version on your own schedule.

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Placing Balance First, Weight Loss Second

 When considering weight gain, weight loss, and digestion issues, it is important to remember what the oldest medical systems teach about the real solution to weight imbalances.  According to the ancient medical science of Ayurveda, the root cause of all disease is improper digestion. That is why Ayurveda strongly recommends eating a diet appropriate to your particular constitution to treat any imbalance.  In traditional Chinese medicine as well, the first line of all of treatment is diet.  Most people think of acupuncture and Chinese herbs as the main pillars of treatment, but in the ancient texts, food cures are the top priority. With optimal digestion and overall balance as the goals, it’s possible to enjoy a healthy, sustainable weight you truly feel good about.

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Who Am I? - Revealing The Difference Between Your Ayurvedic Constitution And Your Present Imbalance

There are so many theories about why we each are the way we are.  While there's no one answer to this, the ancient science of Ayurveda offers a very logical, simple explanation based on the universal five elements found in nature and within each of us.  People in the West are now becoming more familiar with this Ayurvedic concept of constitutional types, and you can easily find quizzes that are supposed to help you determine which Ayurvedic type you are.  But it's actually very hard to discern the difference between your original constitution and your present imbalance.  There are a million reasons why we might be experiencing a present imbalance.  Here's an explanation of the difference between who you are meant to be, i.e. in a balanced state, and who you may be today.

 

 

How I Learned That I Wasn't Who I Thought I Was

My first exposure to Ayurveda was in 1991 through Dr. Vasant Lad's book, Ayurveda The Science of Self-Healing.  I took the quiz in the book to determine which Ayurvedic type I was, and after answering all of the questions, I concluded that I was predominantly Kapha (earth + water).  I began to identify with all of the attributes of a Kapha person and started to see myself in the world as that.  There was a great deal of comfort in finally understanding why I was the way I was -- sometimes lazy, sometimes greedy, usually even-tempered, always congested, and adoring of my bed.

Read more: Who Am I? - Revealing The Difference Between Your Ayurvedic Constitution And Your Present Imbalance