Allergies (airborne)

Dr. William Whittaker, a prominent alternative medical doctor writes:

“People with airborne allergies are cursed by an over-vigilant immune system, which responds to relatively harmless substances such as pollen, mold spores, or animal dander with an all-out attack. An antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) binds to the offending allergen at one end and to mast cells that line the respiratory tract at the other end. The mast cells burst open, releasing histamine, interleukins, and other inflammatory compounds. Most of the symptoms of allergies are caused by these inflammatory chemicals, and not by the allergen itself. Histamine, the most notorious of these compounds released by mast cells, causes blood vessels to dilate and become leaky, promoting swelling and triggering asthma, runny noses, watery eyes, scratchy throats, and other annoying allergy symptoms. It also stimulates the secretion of large amounts of mucus and constricts the bronchioles, making it hard to breathe.”

“Antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) improve symptoms by blocking histamine receptors on other cells. But these allergy drugs are notorious for their side effects.”

Our Philosophy & Approach

At Whole Health Center Houston, we avoid the use of antihistamines by naturally reducing the amount of histamine in your body. Histamine comes from the amino acid histidine which is a component of all animal protein. The more histidine you eat, the more histamine you have, and the more allergic you are. Therefore, it is necessary to decrease your intake of all animal protein such as shellfish, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, beef, veal, etc. Histimine is also found in soy and oats.

It is important to strengthen your adrenal glands. Your adrenals produce adrenaline and cortisone, both of which block the effect of histamine and eliminate allergy symptoms. Licorice root is reputed to help the adrenals. In addition, take a good B-complex vitamin with extra pantothenic acid and Vitamin C.

To strengthen adrenal glands:

  • Avoid caffeine and sugar. These “burn out” your adrenals.
  • Rest, relax, and sleep a lot. This helps the adrenals.
  • Avoid stress. Stress damages the adrenals.
  • If you have congestion, postnasal drip, or other mucus related symptoms, remove all animal protein, and particularly all dairy products from your diet. Dairy products are very rich in histamine. They also produce a lot of mucus.
  • Increase your fiber intake. You want to have two or more firm bowel movements per day since histamine is eliminated through the bowels. Consider having colonics. This will cleanse your intestinal tract and help it eliminate mucus.
  • Do not worry about your calcium intake. Now that you have stopped eating animal products, you will get plenty of calcium from all of the dark green vegetables that you are eating.

Allergy Support Nutrients

There are also natural substances that go beyond symptom relief to actually dampen the allergic response and promote overall health. The following are the best products to take if you are suffering with allergies:

Vitamin C
According to a report in Allergy and Imm. (Feb. 1993), Vitamin C has a “special influence” on enhancing the immune response and warding off infection. Several studies of groups taking vitamin C show that it reduces the longevity and severity of colds (Brit. J. Nutr. 67:3-16). One group, taking 600 mg. supplements, had upper respiratory tract infections reduced by 50% (Amer. J. Clin. Nutr. 57:170-74). Most importantly, vitamin C treated groups don’t feel as bad while they are sick. When this means less sick days and less interference with our daily lives, vitamin C can be a great help in keeping production levels up, as well as enhancing the quality of our everyday lives.

Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids were first discovered in the white rind of citrus fruits. Also known as “vitamin P” (for permeability factors), bioflavonoids have a beneficial effect on building capillary strength. Bioflavonoids are water-soluble plant pigments that give the bright color to fruits and vegetables. Bioflavonoids include such things as flavones, flavonones, flavonols, anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. Bioflavonoids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties. They are also powerful antioxidants. Bioflavonoids include rutin from buckwheat, hesperidin from citrus fruits and quercetin from garlic and onions. Hesperidin has been shown to have beneficial effects on capillary permeability and blood flow. Bioflavonoids are found in nature with vitamin C, and they boost the therapeutic effect of vitamin C, helping to build strong connective tissue, and create a protective barrier to infection.

Quercetin
Quercetin is a potent bioflavonoid – in fact, it has been named, “the most important flavonoid” by a leading peer-reviewed journal (Nutr. Cancer 1993, 20:21-9). It is a powerful antioxidant, and as a bioflavonoid, it also operates to “stabilize cell membranes, decrease the release of inflammatory substances, and decrease the contraction of smooth muscle” (Murray M. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1991 p. 298). Michael Murray suggests that, “quercetin appears indicated in virtually all inflammatory and allergic conditions” (Murray, M. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, 1996, Prima Publ., Rocklin, Ca. p. 327). Quercetin increases immunity and decreases reactions to certain foods, pollens and other allergens.

You May Be Interested In...

Here are some other things we help with that may interest you!

Food Allergies & Sensitivities

There are 3 primary categories that we look at when exploring issues with food. Two are related to abnormalities in the immune system function. The final is a non-immune mediated reaction.

Candida & Yeast Problems

Candida overgrowth is a common health problem among many. We carefully restore the proper friendly bacteria to the intestines using natural substances and herbs.

Mold Toxicity

There are many underlying symptoms that start because of mold. There are quite a few that might surprise you! We can help you detox and remedy from it.

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Fill in the form below and we’ll give you a quick call as soon as possible to get you on the schedule.  If it’s early enough, we may be able to book you same day.  If it’s outside our normal business hours, we’ll call you the next day.

Seema

Medical Scribe

Seema first came on almost 2 years ago to work for a separate company owned by the Wells’s. Her and her family have been patients of Dr. Wells at Whole Health for years so for her to find this opportunity was not a far stretch! Though she often works “on the other side”, because the two businesses are right next to each other, in her free time during work she has crossed over to help in a variety of ways whenever she has free time during the work day. She can be seen helping scribe for our providers when the need arises, helping with packing and shipping supplements as time allows, and many other little things. You can say that she is a jacquelyn-of-all-trades! Whichever role she is working in, she truly felt like “God was calling [her] to work at Whole Health” and it has abundantly been a blessing to both her and to us!

Seema graduated with an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Trinity University and she is currently studying and attending classes to apply for PA school. So to be in the jobs that she has been in, has been a great testimony that the Lord orchestrated her steps to have this experience already as she goes back to school! 

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, working outside on her family’s farm, reading, and doing yarn crafts.

Wyatt

Patient Advocate

As a former EMT and a relatively new Houstonian, when Wyatt first applied for the position, he applied to be a patient advocate. At the time, store and IV associate was in more need, so he was hired for that position. He graciously accepted the offer and served that position with a smile, always learning and striving to help patients and staff feel safe and at home. Both patients and staff alike soon grew to love his humor, friendliness, and heart. He has loved getting to know the patients and making those personable connections with them. Whether talking about sad and hard to take news, obnoxious conspiracy theories, snake bites, or just friendly conversation, he has enjoyed developing those relationships with both patients and staff alike. 

After working at that position for a little over a year, his original intent to be a patient advocate came true! He has transitioned seamlessly and helps patients with even greater intentionality, heart, and personableness as before. Like Michelle, he is another bridge from provider to patient when questions need to be answered. He has enjoyed being a part of each patient’s health journey and their path to healing.

When his boots aren’t striding in the office, you will find him, his wife, and three boys loving the outdoors. They enjoy camping (the true, primitive kind), hiking, and hunting. He loves connecting with God’s nature and creation. He also loves to play board games and host game nights with friends.

Patricia "Pat"

Lab Reports and Relations Specialist

When Pat and her husband first moved to Orlando in 2012, her husband encouraged her to follow after her dreams. She had desired to do something in the medical field for years. She was intrigued by how you can find out so much about a person by their blood. She got her Phlebotomy certificate and started working at a hospital.

In 2017, her husband went to Houston to help with the Hurricane Harvey clean up. He felt like that there was where they were supposed to be, so she started looking for a job. She really wanted to be in a doctor’s office where she could learn, and also be able to share God’s love with others. After several months of looking, and much prayer, God opened a door for her to become a phlebotomist with the Whole Health team. In her years she has worked in the office, she has not only learned so much, but she has been able to enjoy ministering to patients whether it was treating them, listening to their story, or simply just loving on them. From children to adults, she was adored by many.

In November 2021, her and her husband felt called to move back to Florida, this time to North Ft Myers, to pastor a church. Though working remotely, she still contributes tremendously to the practice. She does the practical job of filing faxes, labs, and so forth, as well as does research for some treatments. However, she still fulfills the ministering part of her job by mailing cards to patients in need of a prayer, word of encouragement, or just a simple Happy Birthday.

She loves being a mom and a grandma and adores spending time with her children and grandchildren!

 

Kayleb

Front Receptionist

Coming from being a receptionist at car dealerships, she was introduced to our practice through her friend, Meg Hanley, who just so happened to be one of our providers! Seeking for a fresh start on a new job path, Kayleb took the opportunity to become a front receptionist with us.

Being a receptionist is no small job and she has been thriving greatly! From getting patient appointments set up for the day, talking to patients, relaying calls to the right person, and checking people in, she has done it with such thoroughness, care, and a smile. She has loved creating personable relationships with the patients she interacts with. She has also enjoyed getting to know her co-workers as well. Her words, “best work environment I’ve come to know”.

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, and traveling.

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Mariela

Billing & Accounts Specialist

In Mariela’s first year with us, she started off as our front receptionist. Through her experience then, she found her niche in handling billing and accounts for our patients, thus bore the role that she has today. While that is her primary job, she is still always willing to lend a hand in checking in or checking out patients or any other small task when things get backed up. Whichever job she is doing, she always makes an effort to make our patients’ experience as personable and comfortable as possible. 

Before joining us, she has done a wide array of jobs over the years and even attended ministry school (fun fact)! The dynamic skills and experience she has acquired in those environments has shaped her in who she is today. She loves her work family and to be able to work in a Christian-centric environment, where she continually is being shaped into the beautiful human being she is.

In her spare time, she enjoys time with her dog, Oreo, watching funny videos, and listening to her favorite music artists (her favorite being Michael Bublé).

Michelle

Patient Advocate / Admin Lead

Patient Advocate doesn’t even begin to describe Michelle’s integral role in our practice. Though her role is primarily known to be a bridge between the provider and patient to answer questions, you can make a laundry list of all the things she helps our staff and patients with on a daily basis. She wears many hats, which isn’t too far off from the job she had as a former high school teacher (plus being a mom of 4).

To quote it simply, she believes it was true “divine intervention” that the door was opened for her to join our team. She has demonstrated such leadership and compassion to everything she does. To be able to work in a faith-filled environment on a daily basis to minister to others and pray with them has been such a blessing to her. Combine that with being able to work with an incredible team and interact with our beloved patients, it has been an amazing and purposeful experience.

When not being the “office mom”, she loves being a mom to her kids alongside her husband, Humberto. Sports run heavily in the family, so she will be seen running around with them, cheering them on in any sport they participate in.

Brant

Store and IV Associate

While relatively new to our team, Brant has fully immersed himself in the medical realm for about 4 years. Before that, he was a middle school science teacher for more than 20 years, but was always fascinated by the medical field, thus prompted the switch in career paths. One of his passions has always been to help people so in some ways, his jump from helping kids to helping patients with their health is not that far off!

Brant handles much of the supplement sales and always makes sure that our patients, especially our IV ones, feel supported and cared for optimally and personably. As he has been working here, he has been learning something new every day, which always excites him. He also enjoys seeing the teamwork it takes to support everyone from patients to staff.

Along with learning new things, he loves traveling and animals, both of which he enjoys with his wife.

Evelyn

Design & Marketing Administrator

Evelyn has been with the Whole Health family for about 2 years now. You wouldn’t believe it when we say that she studied both her undergrad and master’s in Education! After being a teacher for 5 years, the Lord called her to move elsewhere. Unexpectedly taking a gap year, doing temporary jobs in between, she then was introduced to job openings at Whole Health through a mutual connection. Long story short, she has molded into her role of Design and Marketing Administrator. She manages graphical designs, delegates our supplement store business, and markets for all the things we offer and continue to expand to offer at Whole Health. She is discovering new passions, gifts, and skills as well as developing old ones through her job and enjoys helping even in the smallest of details.

Evelyn enjoys serving in her home church, listening to worship music, spending time with the ones she loves, and eating her favorite foods and cuisines. She hopes to travel more in the future as she also loves exploring nature and God’s creation.

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