Multiple Chemical Sensitivity SyndromeWritten by Kathy Browning
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has been described under various names since 1940s. Referred to as Environmental Illness in late 40's, and Total Allergy Disease in 21st century, multiple chemical sensitivity is a syndrome in which multiple symptoms reportedly occur with low-level chemical exposure. Several theories have been offered to explain cause of MCS, including allergy, toxic effects and neurobiologic sensitization. There is insufficient scientific evidence to confirm a relationship between any of these possible causes and symptoms. MCS syndrome has led to great controversy among clinicians, researchers, patients, lawyers, legislators and regulatory agencies. The absence of scientific agreement on MCS has contributed to development of emotionally charged, extreme and entrenched positions. Patients with multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome can have severe symptoms that interfere with daily life and work. Virtually any symptom has been attributed to syndrome, but symptoms generally occur in one of three categories: central nervous system, respiratory and mucosal irritation, or gastrointestinal problems. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood, memory loss, weakness, dizziness, headaches, heat intolerance and arthralgias (joint pains). The typical individual with MCS feels very strongly that symptoms result from chemical exposure. Let's say, you walk into restroom of your office building, catch a whiff of deodorizer and cleaning chemicals, and emerge a minute later, short of breath, shaking, and feeling like your brain is on vacation. You can barely put sentences together to describe what happened in there. Your friends visit restroom, and don't have any "trouble". If this sort of thing happens to you, perhaps you are suffering from MCS.
| | The Importance of taking an Antioxidant SupplementWritten by Ryan Cote
Antioxidants are an important supplement to anyone's diet because they prevent bodily damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are most common cause of tissue damage and free radicals have been linked to every known disease by more than 6000 scientific studies. Free radicals are molecules that are over-reactive because they are unbalanced electronically. In an attempt to become balanced they rob electrons from molecules that make up cells in your body, damaging or destroying them. In addition, free radicals damage cell structure and reduce cell's ability to function. Controllable amounts of free radicals are formed during normal cellular functions, but excess free radicals can result from drugs, air pollution, tobacco smoke, pesticides, herbicides, chemicals in our food and water, allergic reactions, emotional upsets, excessive exercise, and even an excess of certain dietary substances such as fats. Fortunately, antioxidants protect against free radical damage. They offer a powerful nutritional tool to prevent illness and even slow down aging. Examples of antioxidant nutrients are Vitamins A, C & E and minerals zinc and selenium. There is also a super potent antioxidant commonly known as Proanthocyanidins. These active ingredients are most potent, natural, free radical scavengers yet discovered. In tests done to measure ability of substances to neutralize free radicals, proanthocyanidins proved to be 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E!
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