Category: Uncategorized Page 1 of 2

Resolve to Look Better Now!

Jump-Start your New Year’s Resolution to look and feel better! Purchase any precision microneedling package and get 10 free B-12 injections.

Crows feet? Double chin? Sagging jowls? Under-eye bags? Problem acne? AGNES RF IS YOUR ANSWER!

Schedule a 10-min free consultation with Dr Melinda Zamora to see if an Agnes Radio Frequency treatment is right for you.

Take Advantage of Our November Deal!

If you’ve ever considered an Agnes Radio Frequency treatment… Now’s the time to take action! Get 25% off of any purchase in November.

Crows feet? Double chin? Sagging jowls? Under-eye bags? Problem acne? AGNES RF IS YOUR ANSWER!

Schedule a 10-min free consultation with Dr Melinda Zamora to see if an Agnes Radio Frequency treatment is right for you.

Double Chin? Take Advantage of our May Agnes Promotion!

Frustrated by your double chin or sagging jowls? Agnes is your answer! Schedule a 10-min free consultation with Dr Melinda Zamora to see if an Agnes Radio Frequency treatment is right for you.

Benefits of AGNES RF Microneedling:

  • Reduce the look of aging and fatigue
  • Stimulates collagen production
  • Precise contouring abilities
  • Results after first treatment
  • Long term results
  • Comfortable procedure with numbing- topical and local
  • Minimal downtime- mild swelling, minimal bruising
  • Suitable for any skin type, including dark skin

For more information about AGNES RF treatments click here.

Look As Young on the Outside As You Feel on the Inside!

Excel Naturopathic Wellness is proud to introduce the revolutionary AGNES RF!

AGNES is an innovative non-surgical radio-frequency microneedling device used to contour the face by precisely tightening skin and removing fat from the face and neck without the side effects and downtime of a surgical procedure. There is no other device that safely, effectively and non-invasively treats under eye bags, softens deep wrinkles, sculpts the neck and jowl area, and treats cystic acne with minimal downtime. 

Dr. Zamora is the first to offer this groundbreaking technology in the Portland/Vancouver area! And, unlike many local skin care centers, you can have confidence in the fact that your entire AGNES treatment will be performed by Dr. Zamora herself.

AGNES radiofrequency microneedling device

Benefits of AGNES RF Microneedling:

  • Reduce the look of aging and fatigue
  • Stimulation of collagen production
  • Precise contouring abilities
  • Results after first treatment
  • Long term results
  • Comfortable procedure with numbing- topical and local
  • Minimal downtime- mild swelling, minimal bruising
  • Suitable for any skin type, including dark skin

For more information about AGNES RF treatments click here.

Call now to schedule a FREE 10 min consultation with Dr. Zamora to see if an AGNES RF treatment is right for you.  360-719-2603

Before and after pic of radiofrequency treatment to sagging chin, neck fat, and smile lines

5 Natural Remedies to Calm Your Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal Allergy Series: Part 3 of 3

       (Seasonal allergies series: Part 1 of 3,   Part 2 of 3)

It’s Spring!  The trees are flowering, daffodil are blooming, and hay-fever is settling in.  You’ve cleaned your house and changed your diet. Although less severe, you’re still suffering from some seasonal allergy symptoms. What do you do now?

First, let’s review a bit. If you can remember from part 1 of this allergy series, an allergy is an exaggerated immune response to substances (allergens) that normally do not cause reactions in most people. An allergy can be triggered by ingesting, touching or inhaling the substance. Allergy symptoms occur when your body responds to allergens by producing a chemical called histamine, which works by helping to counteract the allergen. The immune system causes allergic reactions by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that cause widespread symptoms. In other words, allergies are due to a hypersensitivity of the immune system that causes damaging responses that can affect the whole body.

The allergic response can range from mild symptoms of coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose and a scratchy throat to severe symptoms of rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks and even death. Hay fever is often seasonal (when pollen is in the air), but if constantly exposed to an offending substance (e.g., pet dander), symptoms can last year-round.

Some of the most common causes of allergies? Things like pollen found outdoors, animal fur, dust or particular foods. Allergies to pollen, spores, mold, and dust (also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis) affect the respiratory system and are usually the most difficult to control.

Many people who are struggling with seasonal allergies go to the doctor to be treated and are routinely given pharmaceuticals from acetaminophen to antihistamines. Both of which may actually further aggravate the allergy symptoms they were given for or cause unwanted side effects in some individuals.  If you’re tired of the side effects of these medications, you might want to try a natural allergy remedy this year.

1. Local Raw Honey

As bees fly from plant to plant, bits of pollen stick to their feet. When they return to the hive, the pollen gets incorporated into the honey they produce. Taking one tablespoon of local, raw honey every day will help your immune system become tolerant of the local pollen. This means that your body will recognize that local pollen is not a threat and will no longer overreact to it with allergy symptoms every time you go outside.  A study of local honey use in people with birch pollen allergies was published in the 2011 International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. Researchers discovered that patients taking honey “reported a 60 percent lower total symptom score, twice as many asymptomatic days, and 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms.” And they used 50 percent less antihistamines compared to the control group that took conventional meds.

You’ll need to buy your honey from the local farmers market or your beekeeping neighbor as this is not the regular honey you buy at the grocery store. The honey needs to be local so you’ll be ingestion the types of pollen you typical encounter.  It also needs to be raw so the pollen particulates have not been filtered out or high temperature processed which may negate the benefits as well. You can eat the honey straight or add it to tea or oatmeal. Yum!

Dose: 1 tablespoon daily

2. Neti Pot

This is one of my favorites!  A neti pot is a small pot that looks like a genie’s lamp.  It is used to gently rinse your nasal and sinus passages to flush out congestion and remove the unwanted allergens that cause the congestion.  A neti pot has the ability to provide immediate congestion relief without the use of medications. Research has found that that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms of congestion, facial pain and pressure.

When using a neti pot, it is best to use warm distilled, filtered or previously boiled and cooled water to make sure the water is as sterile as possible.  Tap water can have contaminants like chlorine, fluorine, or sediment and can aggravate your sinuses. Mix 1 tsp of iodine-free salt with 8 oz of warm water.  Put this solution into your neti pot then rinse your nasal passages by following the directions that come with your pot.  It will only take a couple minutes to rinse both sides.

Some Neti Pot Tips:  1) I know it seems wrong to put water up your nose, but you won’t drown. The water will go up one nostril and then come down out the other. It will feel weird, but, again- you won’t drown.  2) Body temperature water is the most comfortable. 3) Don’t forget to add the salt. Plain water will give you a nightmare of a headache. 4) Keep your mouth open or the water will not flow through.  5) Remember to calmly breathe through your mouth nice and slowly. 6) Gently blow your nose after each rinsing. Avoid aggressive blowing so you don’t irritate your tissues and cause additional swelling. 7) If you are really congested, the water may not flow all the way through to the other side, or maybe only a tiny trickle will flow through. That’s ok. Just give it a moment then gently blow out the water.  Rinsing with saline water will help reduce nasal swelling and remove thick secretions. It might take a few days before your swelling has reduced enough to see progress.  8) Leave yourself at least 30 minutes after using your neti pot before you go to bed. Sometimes a bit of water can get trapped in your sinuses during the rinsing.  You won’t even realize this happened until it lets go and runs out your nose.  You don’t want this salt water to run down your throat if you are laying down in bed.   9) Don’t overdo it.  While rinsing 1-2 times per day can be therapeutic, overdoing it can backfire and cause extra irritation and swelling. Listen to your body.  Some people feel best with once a day rinsing others use the neti pot every other day.  You’ll figure out what works best for your body.

3. Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant polyphenol naturally found in foods such as broccoli or cauliflower, onions, green tea, dark cherries, tomatoes, and leafy greens.  During an allergic reaction, a compound called histamine is released from immune cells called mast cells in an attempt to rid your body of the offending agent like pollen or dander. Quercetin acts as a mast cell stabilizer which reduces the release of histamines and therefore minimizes the allergy symptoms experienced from its release. A simple explanation is that quercetin is a natural anti-histamine.

A recent study found evidence that quercetin is also effective at reducing allergies because it helps calm down hyperactivity of the airways. It is so powerful that Iranian researchers have proven that quercetin can help control peanut allergies, the leading cause of life-threatening/fatal allergy attacks.

Quercetin can be very effective, but it must be taken regularly for up to 6-8 weeks to see best results.  If you are prone to allergies you can start taking it before spring arrives.

Dose: For hay fever a typical dose of quercetin is 400 mg twice a day between meals.

Safety: High doses of quercetin (more than 1 g per day) may cause kidney damage, so people with kidney disease and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take quercetin.  Talk to your doctor before taking quercetin if you are taking warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, digoxin, chemotherapy, or medications that affect liver function.

4.  Stinging Nettle

Research has shown that consuming stinging nettle leaf naturally controls histamines by diminishing the body’s response to allergens. A phytochemical in stinging nettle binds with histamine receptors and prevents the histamine release from causing allergy symptoms. Research suggests that nettle capsules can help reduce sneezing and itching in people with hay fever and half of people report nettles to be as or more effective in relieving allergy symptoms as allergy medications.

Fortunately, you don’t need to find a field of nettles to roll in to get its benefits. Stinging nettle leaf can be taken in a capsule as a freeze-dried preparation to reduce current symptoms, or it can be used as a preventative if you start taking it before hay fever season begins. It can also be used as a tea or in tincture form.  Additionally, you can consume the fresh or freeze-dried leaf as a food and can prepare it similarly to the way you would use spinach in soups or sautéed dishes.

5. Steam Inhalation

An effective way to reduce nasal and sinus congestion due to allergies is to make a simple steam inhalation tent.  Place steaming hot water (don’t burn yourself) into a bowl and, with your head and bowl covered with a towel like a tent, inhale the steam into your nose for 1o minutes. The warm, moist steam will help relax the inflammation within your nasal passages.  You can add a few drops of an essential oil or a couple tablespoons of raw herb such as eucalyptus or thyme to the hot water.  This will add additional antimicrobial and soothing benefits to the steam. Some people find that using steam inhalation prior to their neti pot can be very effective.

Precautions When Treating Allergies

When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include: trouble breathing, tightness in the lungs, chest pains, blood pressure changes, dizziness, fainting, rash and vomiting. If you or your child experience these symptoms, then head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.

And remember,  Do More Than Exist . . . EXCEL!!

Dr. Zamora sees patients at her East Vancouver location 9am-5pm on Mon-Fri. SCHEDULE AND APPOINTMENT with Dr. Zamora now to learn more ways you can naturally improve your health and energy levels.

 

References:

CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. FastStats: Allergies and Hay Fever.

Saarinen K, Jantunen J, Haahtela T. Birch pollen honey for birch pollen allergy – a randomized controlled pilot study. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2011; 155(2):160-6. (PubMed)

Mlcek J, Jurikova T, Skrovankova S, Sochor J. Quercetin and its anti-allergic immune response. Molecules. 2016 May 12;21(5). (PubMed)

Achilles N, Mosges R. Nasal saline irrigantions for the symptoms of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2013 Apr;13(2):229-35. (PubMed)

Roschel B Jr, Fink RC, McMichael M, Alberte RS. Nettle extract (Urtica dioca) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2009 Jul;23(7):920-6. (PubMed)

Shishehbor F1, Behroo L, Ghafouriyan Broujerdnia M, Namjoyan F, Latifi SM. “Quercetin effectively quells peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions in the peanut sensitized rats”  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20548131

19 Dietary Tips for Reducing Your Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal Allergy Series: Part 2 of 3

        (Seasonal allergies series: Part 1 of 3,   Part 3 of 3)

You can clean your home every day and try a bunch of allergy remedies, but if you have a highly inflammatory and allergenic diet, they won’t be as effective at reducing your seasonal allergy symptoms as they could be.

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Your body needs nutrient dense foods to maintain balance in all of its systems. This includes the delicate balance of your immune system. It needs to be able to recognize and fight off nasty microbes while adjusting to common allergies in your environment.  Remember, consistency with your diet is the key. Here are some of the best anti-inflammatory foods to add to your diet and some foods to avoid to help reduce your risk of allergies and many other health problems.

15 Easy Ways to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

Reduce allergens in your home to reduce your seasonal allergy symptoms.

Seasonal Allergy Series: Part 1 of 3
       (Seasonal allergies series: Part 2 of 3Part 3 of 3)

As I began to  write this blog post, I realized that there is no way I could fit all the information I want share into 1 post, even if that post was incredibly long.  So, what started out as a quick list of helpful tips, has ended up as a 3 part Seasonal Allergy Series.  Part 1 will discuss ways to reduce allergens in your home, Part 2 reviews dietary dos and don’ts for allergy sufferers, and Part 3 gives some natural treatment alternatives.

It’s Spring!  The trees are flowering, daffodil are blooming, and hay-fever is starting.  The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that more than 30% of adults and 40% of children suffer from seasonal allergy symptoms each year. With numbers this large, the chances are high that you or someone you know suffers from hay-fever, also known as seasonal allergies.

Keep Safe and Healthy During Smokey Air Conditions

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you can’t keep from being affected by our local wildfires in some way.  As the summer heat continues and the skies darken with smoke and ash, you are most likely experiencing mild to moderate symptoms from the increased air pollution. Even if you can’t smell the smoke, it could be affecting you. Here are a few suggestions from the WA State Dept of Health, the CDC, and Dr. Melinda Zamora to help you safely get through the next week or two.

How Does Smoke Affect Me and My Family?

  • Smoke can cause coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, itchy or stinging eyes, and runny nose.
  • People who have heart disease might experience chest pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
  • If you have a pre-existing respiratory condition such as asthma, COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), or allergies, smoke may worsen your symptoms (inability to breathe normally, cough with or without mucus, chest discomfort, wheezing, and shortness of breath).
  • When smoke levels are high, even healthy people can have symptoms or health problems.

Drink Your Water!

Go grab a bottle of water then come back and read this.  No, seriously, go get yourself some water.

Human beings have an undeniable thirst for water. It’s the most important nutrient for us on the planet, and ideally, we should be drinking water all day, every day. Although a simple recipe, it can be a challenge to keep up with this near-constant need for water.

55-75% of your body weight comes from water. To put this into perspective, the average 150 lb person is 82.5-112.5 lbs of water. Unfortunately, an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.  How can this be?, you ask.  We have potable (that means drinkable) water everywhere in this country.  The water from our faucets is drinkable, the water from our showers is drinkable, and most people can even drink out of their garden hose. Granted, there can be some impurities or minerals that make it taste a little funky or it could be close to the government limits for toxins.  But, compared to many other countries, we have great water here in the U.S. We are truly blessed by this abundance. We also have access to innumerable types of bottled waters and water filtration systems. This being said, Why are so many people dehydrated?

Blood Pressure Basics

I’ve decided to write my first blog article about an important health concept that confuses many people:  Blood Pressure.  What do those numbers mean? What’s systolic? What’s diastolic? What’s a normal blood pressure reading? Why should I care?  Hopefully you’ll be able to answer these questions after reading this article.

Blood pressure is the force that moves blood through your circulatory system. Normal blood pressure is necessary for life. The pressure created by our heart muscles contracting forces our blood to flow out from our heart through arteries to deliver oxygen, nutrients, hormones, immune cells, and many other chemicals to the tissues and organs within our body. The same blood pressure returns blood back to the heart through our veins and allows our blood to pick up the toxic waste products of cell metabolism, including the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath, and the toxins we clear through our liver and kidneys. (I’ll cover more on toxins and waste at another time.)

Page 1 of 2

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén