the unlikeliest of places. For example, our homes can carry five times more pollutants than stepping outside since we breathe the same air over and over again. And The Lawyer, who seems to be allergic to exercise classes, was thrilled to learn that triggers can also be found lurking in health clubs. Unfortunately, Richard Weber, M.D., former president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Organization of America (ACAAI) confirmed his suspicions: “Not only can new workout routines be difficult for those with asthma or allergies,” he said, “but yes, many allergens that cause coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or rashes and watery eyes can indeed be found in gyms.”
So be wary of the following culprits:
• The Pool—If you are sensitive to chlorine and don’t have access to a saltwater pool that naturally disinfects the water, be sure to shower immediately after swimming.
• The Locker Room—A study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives found a link between triclosan, a common ingredient in antibacterial soap, and allergies. Since these cleansers are found in practically every locker room, bring along your own unscented products.
• The Mats (yoga or exercise)—According to the ACAAI, most rubber mats contain allergy-inducing latex and other available options could be laced with toxic PVCs. If you have had allergic reactions to either of these, it’s best to tote along your own mats made of hemp or organic cotton.
• Workout Outfits—The ACAAI recommends staying away from materials such as polyester and nylon, which can also be itch-inducing, especially anything that says it’s “odor-free” or “antimicrobial.” Better to look for natural fiber or naturally wicking wool.
Fortunately, allergies can usually be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines. If symptoms are more chronic, your doctor may prescribe medication to take on a regular basis or even desensitization shots. If you want to know what you are allergic to, you can see your local allergist and be tested.
Dr. Joan Lehach, an integrative medicine physician specializing in allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, offers a few suggestions on how those with pollen allergies can breathe a bit easier during the high-pollen times:
• If you live in a suburban area, keep your grass short and have someone else mow it. If you are going to do yard duty, wear a well-fitting allergy mask.
• Do not hang your wash to dry outside, because pollen bonds to fabric.
• Pollen counts are the highest early in the morning, between 5 AM and 10 AM, so do outdoor activities such as jogging in the evening or after 10 AM
• Pollen tends to stick to hair, so wash your hair more frequently.
• Keep your car windows and your windows at home closed, and put the air conditioner on. Use the recirculate button on your air conditioner so you are not bringing pollen in from outside.
• Beware of fruit. Because the proteins are similar, your body can mistake fruit for pollen and create some mild local reactions. Those who are allergic to trees should avoid apples, peaches, and pears. If you are sensitive to grass, avoid melons, celery, and kiwis because they can trigger an itchy mouth and throat.
Following these suggestions, along with carrying your inhaler if need be, will allow you to breathe easier wherever you go.
Forget Me Not
When my three kids were 4, 10, and 14, I took them on one of our weekly massive food shopping expeditions. We dutifully reloaded our shopping cart with the customary slew of bags at the checkout counter. Then off we went to load our SUV, which was parked on the street because the supermarket lot was full. After making sure that everyone was securely buckled in, we headed home.
As soon as we arrived, the boys jumped out and left me to tend to the bags in the back. (Typical!) However, there were no bags.
“Boys,” I said in the calmest tone I could muster under the circumstances, addressing the two older offspring, “what happened to the shopping bags?”
They simply shrugged disinterestedly, but my little daughter, obviously feeling bad at how frazzled I was becoming, finally chirped, “I think we left them on the ‘stweet.’” Great!
At the time, I chalked it up to my mind being overwhelmed, and therefore overstressed and forgetful. Of course, if anything like that happened today, I would fear more ominous implications. The older we get, the more we tend to worry about losing our minds—literally! And while I’m not yet at an age when statistically I should be concerned about either dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, there is a family history. So every time I can’t find my keys or I’m madly looking for my lost cell phone—only to discover that I happen to be talking on it at the time—I fear the worst.
“How do I know if I have Alzheimer’s,” I recently asked a leading Manhattan neurologist. “I tend to lose things, and it’s beginning to upset me.”
“Well,” he explained, “everyone misplaces their keys, for example, every now and then. It’s when you are actually holding them in your hand and you don’t know what to do with them that you should begin to worry.”
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is anticipated to be the largest health crisis of our lifetime. Already, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and more than five million (one in eight) older Americans suffer from it. Happily, there is new scientific research and evidence that suggest patients may be able to delay or prevent the onset of AD with a careful diet. At the helm of this research are Harvard-trained neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson and nutrition researcher Dr. Christopher Ochner. They contend that targeted nutrients and aggressive dietary changes could improve memory in AD patients and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In fact, following a brain-healthy diet will benefit anyone who’s over age 40, has a family history of AD, or is experiencing problems with memory.
The doctors believe that nutritional interventions can indeed buy time for AD patients and their families. And thankfully, scientists have found a predictive marker for AD, a protein called amyloid beta that can be detected up to 25 years before the onset of the disease. “This gives future AD patients time to implement neuroprotective measures,” advises Dr. Isaacson. “And new research shows that specific nutritional interventions may delay the onset of AD in memory-compromised patients by two years—potentially long enough for a cure to be discovered—and improve memory function in AD and MCI (or pre-AD) patients, a win-win for the patient, family, and caregivers.”
Here are the doctors’ 10 memory-boosting dietary recommendations, based on the latest scientific research and their clinical experience treating patients with AD and MCI:
• Portion Your Macronutrients—Every day, aim for 25 percent of your total calories from fat (but less than 7 percent saturated, or “bad” fat); 30 percent to 45 percent from complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, and whole foods that are low on the glycemic index); and 25 percent to 35 percent from high-quality lean protein.
• Wean Yourself Off High-Glycemic Carbs—These include sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, processed cereals and grains, ice cream, crackers, salty snacks, such as chips and pretzels, and anything made with refined white flour.
• Have More Good Fat and Less Bad—Brain foods high in good fats include olive oil, avocados, natural peanut butter, and certain fish. Foods high in bad or saturated fat include most fast foods, anything hydrogenated, dried coconut,
