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Asthma
or Bronchial Asthma
or Exertional Asthma
or Hayfever
or Allergies

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Air pollutants cause a tremendous amount of oxidative stress in the respiratory tract and in turn, the body. When you add the most severe cause of oxidative stress to the body--cigarette smoking, the nasal passageways and lungs are literally under attack. Still, God did not leave us defenseless. He created a sophisticated and elaborate defense system against such attacks on our respiratory system.

The first line of defense against poisonous pro-oxidants is the Epithelial Lining Fluids (ELFs). From your nose to the tip of your lungs the cells are covered with a thick mucous lining. The epithelial cells have a very fine brush border called cilia. This brush border sweeps inhaled foreign particles, bacteria, and viruses back outside.

The thick mucous lining contains many antioxidants, which then neutralize the inhaled pollutants like ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fuel emissions; providing a layer of protection that is so effective that most of the time these pollutants don’t even come in contact with the underlying epithelial cells. However, when these air pollutants are especially intense, an inflammatory response develops in the epithelial lining fluid.

With ELF’s as the first-line of defense, the mucous, ciliary’s clearance, and immune response form a team that is extraordinarily effective in preventing infections in the respiratory tract. The underlying epithelial cells actually produce and secrete several antioxidants into this mucous barrier as well. Therefore, the mucous barrier also contains many different antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione. All of these antioxidants work together to neutralize all the pollutants we inhale and thus protect the underlying lung tissue and lung function. Vitamin C is the most prominent antioxidant in this protective fluid lining. It is not only an important antioxidant in this fluid but also has the ability to regenerate vitamin E and glutathione.

Still, respiratory tract infections or exposure to airborne pollutants can overwhelm the local anti-bacteria, anti-viral, and antioxidant systems found in the epithelial lining fluids (ELFs). When this happens, there is a tremendous inflammatory-immune response. The fluids in the lining of the lungs become very thick as the immune response attracts in many white cells that (literally) attack the invading organisms or pollutants.

If the invaders are quickly cleared out, everything settles down. But, an inability to terminate or control the inflammatory response can result in injury to the underlying epithelial cells. This in turn can lead to chronic inflammation that can cause marked damage to the lung tissue and impair the lung function. It is felt by most researchers that the real culprit behind most of our lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and even lung cancer is oxidative stress resulting from these pollutants and the resultant chronic inflammation.

This chronic inflammation in the lung causes significant fatigue and a depleted immune system in those who struggle with asthma. Whether the immune system is fighting a chronic infection or whether it is fighting pollutants in the air, chronic inflammation created by both of these conditions takes its toll on asthmatics, especially the children. Kids with asthma seem to continually fight one infection after another and their energy level is nowhere near that of children with healthy airways.

When I first began my private practice in the early 1970’s, physicians believed the underlying problem with asthma was bronchospasm. This is a condition where the circular muscles surrounding our airway tubes actually go into spasm and narrow the passageways of our lungs resulting in a very tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing (usually loud enough to hear without a stethoscope). Our first line of therapy back then was to use drugs like Theophylline or Albuterol, which primarily worked on relieving the bronchospasm. If the person was in serious trouble or even had to be admitted to the hospital, we would then add a potent anti-inflammatory medication called Prednisone.

After a few years into my practice, research started to reveal, however, that the underlying problem with asthma was a chronic inflammatory response. Inflammation was actually causing the bronchospasm. Our therapies changed considerably and we shelved the theophylline-like drugs in favor of anti-inflammatory drugs (inhaled steroids or Intal) as first-line therapy. Research conducted over the past decade has since deduced that the underlying cause of asthma, and most every chronic lung disease, is the result of oxidative stress.

Most drugs are now aimed at decreasing this inflammatory response and relaxing the accompanying bronchospasm. Nevertheless, the underlying “root” problem, oxidative stress, is still not addressed.

I have read several clinical trials wherein patients with asthma are found to have significantly depleted antioxidants in the extra-cellular fluid lining of their lungs. Antioxidant levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene were found at low levels even when the children were not having an acute attack. They also exhibit markedly higher levels of by-products produced by oxidative stress leading to chronic inflammation and hyperactivity of the airways.

The key in truly helping these patients is to rebuild their natural antioxidant defense system and natural immune system back to optimal levels. This can best be accomplished by the following nutritional recommendations.
Nutritional Supplement Recommendations

I recommend that all my patients take the basic nutritional support I refer to as cellular nutrition. This foundational regime provides all the necessary micronutrients to the cell at ideal levels (not RDA levels) for significant health benefits as documented in the medical literature. When the cell is given maximum support, it can then determine what it does and does not need. Over a six-month period each cell is able to not only overcome nutritional deficiencies but also to optimize ALL the nutrients, which are needed to combat oxidative stress.

The synergistic affect of providing all the nutrients needed by one’s body at the most advantageous levels results in optimizing and rebuilding the body’s natural immune system, antioxidant, and repair systems back to their fullest fighting potential against disease.

Minimal support for Cellular Nutrition:

My minimal recommendation for creating cellular nutrition is to simply take Usana’s Mega Antioxidant and Chelated Minerals, called "The Essentials" at their recommended doses (3 of each daily). The Essentials offers the cell ALL of the antioxidants, B-cofactors, and antioxidant minerals needed by the cell at ideal levels. In order to achieve the best results, I recommend taking 1 Mega Antioxidant and 1 Chelated Mineral with each meal. Nutritionals should always be taken with food because of better absorption and better tolerance. However, as a physician, I realize that compliance with taking supplements three times a day is a major issue. Therefore, if you tend to frequently forget the lunchtime dose, I suggest taking the supplements twice daily: taking 2 Mega Antioxidants and 1 Chelated Mineral in the morning with breakfast and 1 Mega Antioxidant and 2 Chelated Minerals in the evening with the evening meal.

Optimal support for Cellular Nutrition:

For the most favorable results for basic cellular nutrition, I also recommend adding to the Usana Essentials either OptOmega (2 tsps daily) or BiOmega-3 (4 capsules daily), which provides the essential fats and Fibergy, which assures the individual is receiving the additional fiber his or her body needs. I also recommend adding Active Calcium (4 tablets daily) to provide additional calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D that our bodies need. These recommendations provide all the nutrients at their ideal levels creating the cellular nutrition I recommend in my book, What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You.

Optimizers

It is critical that you know the necessity of adding optimizers to your foundational cellular nutrition for optimal results. Patients who are suffering from a chronic degenerative disease or illness are under more oxidative stress than the average healthy individual. Therefore, adding potent Optimizers to the basic cellular nutrition offers you the best chance to bring this oxidative stress back under control. The synergy and increased potency created by this approach to nutritional medicine is why I’m able to get such consistent results in my patients.

However, to suit each individual’s unique needs, I always offer both an optimal and a minimal plan for cellular nutrition and for adding Optimizers. Obviously, one’s improvement will be quicker and more consistent with the optimal recommendations; however, a minimal regime can still produce significant clinical results.

Recommended Optimizers:

Optimal:

Proflavanol 90*--2 tablets daily
Poly C—4 tablets daily
Additional Active Calcium—6 tablets daily (chewable or regular)

Minimal:

Proflavanol 90*--2 tablets daily
Active Calcium—4 tablets daily

*Proflavanol 90 is equal to 3 Proflavanol C

Optimal Recommendations

Nutritional Supplement	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Mega Antioxidant (Mega AO)	1	1	1
Chelated Mineral (Multi Mineral)	1	1	1
Active Calcium	2	2	2
Proflavanol 90	1		1
Poly C	1	1	2
Optomega	2 tsps
Biomega-3 (an option instead of Optomega)	1	1	2

*Adding at least one serving of Fibergy daily will enhance these recommendations.

Minimal Recommendation

Nutritional Supplement	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Mega Antioxidant (Mega AO)	1	1	1
Chelated Mineral (Multi Mineral)	1	1	1
Proflavanol 90	1		1
Active Calcium	1	1	2

If you are frequently going to miss taking your lunchtime dose, it is better to simply take your nutritionals twice daily. I recommend taking 2 Mega Antioxidants, 1 Chelated Mineral in the morning with breakfast and then taking 1 Mega Antioxidant, 2 Chelated Minerals in the evening. You should try to divide up your Active Calcium, essential fats, and Optimizers equally as possible between the AM and PM dose.

Usana Health Sciences has the best nutritional support for all ages. I will detail my recommendations for cellular nutrition and for each Optimizer according to age and weight.

Cellular Nutrition for Children:

Children ages 1 to 4 years of age:

I recommend giving these children 1 Usanimal daily. This may mean crushing the tablet and putting in a drink or sprinkling it on some. It is important to also consider giving these children 1 tsp pf OptOmega daily.

Children ages 5 to 8 years of age:

I recommend giving these children 1 Usanimal twice daily. I also recommend that they be taking 1 tsp of OptOmega and 1 Active Calcium tablet (or Active Calcium Chewable) daily.

Children ages 9 to 12:

I recommend giving these children 1 to 2 Body Rox daily depending on the weight of the child. If they are over 75 pounds, I generally recommend that they should be taking 2 Body Rox daily. In this age group, I also recommend that they take 2 tsps of OptOmega and 2 Active Calcium tablets or Chewable tablets daily.

Children ages 13 to 18:

I recommend that these children take 3 Body Rox daily along with 3 to 4 Active Calcium tablets or Chewable Active Calcium tablets. They should also be taking 2 tsps of OptOmega or 3 to 4 Biomega-3. Any adolescent in this age group who is suffering from a serious illness or weighs more than 120 pounds should also consider taking the Usana Essentials.

Optimizers:
Proflavanol:

I recommend giving children 1 to 2 mg of Proflavanol per pound per day (this is 3 to 5 mg per kilogram) in at least two divided doses. The smaller Proflavanol tablet has 30 mg of Proflavanol in each tablet (the Proflavanol 90 has 90mg in each tablet). I have no hesitation in using Proflavanol in children who over 2 years of age. These tablets may be crushed and placed in a drink or food with no loss of potency.

Coquinone 30:

I recommend giving children 1 to 2 mg of Coquinone per pound per day (this is 3 to 5 mg per kilogram) in divided doses. Each Coquinone 30 has 30 mg of Coquinone. This capsule may be punctured and the contents squirted out into a drink or food with no loss of potency.

Poly C:

There is a very safe range of using Poly C in children. However, I would only use 1 daily in children under 6 years of age and 2 to 4 daily in children over 7 years of age depending on the severity of their illness and their weight.

Consider a Power Shake

USANA has a fantastic line of nutritionally balanced drinks that many of my patients consume as a meal substitute. In fact, I personally start every morning with 2 scoops of Fibergy, 2 scoops of Soyomax, and 2 teaspoonfuls of OptOmega. This provides me with a perfect, balanced, unpolluted meal to start my day. It allows me the opportunity to supplement my diet with soy protein; extra needed fiber, and essential fat. This meal is also a low-glycemic meal, which will not spike my blood sugar. Likewise, many USANA associates are using their imaginations to create exceptionally tasting meals with Fibergy and OptOmega. By blending in frozen, whole fruit for added flavor they are creating a variety of great tasting drinks.

Isn’t it remarkable that by simply taking USANA Essentials, Active Calcium and a power drink (remember, to consider this part of your food budget, since it is replacing an entire meal), the body is supplied with complete, and balanced cellular nutrition for every cell in the body? The synergy that is created, especially when adding needed Optimizers is phenomenal. Remember, the underlying problem is oxidative stress NOT a nutritional deficiency.

Why I recommend USANA Products

USANA strictly follows pharmaceutical-grade Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This means they not only purchase pharmaceutical-grade raw products, but also manufacture the products according to tough pharmaceutical-quality guidelines. In addition, USANA Health Sciences follows USP guidelines for potency, uniformity, and dissolution of the tablet. In a nutshell, USANA manufactures their products to the strict standards of over-the-counter drugs even though not required to do so—assuring all of their customers and associates that what is on the label is actually in the tablet.

Usana's essentials are complete and balanced and provides the cellular nutrition that I strongly recommend in my book, What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You. This improves compliance and makes taking these advanced levels of nutritional supplements easier.

Starting Your USANA Nutritional Program

Over eighty percent of my patients are able to start the USANA Nutritional Program with absolutely no set backs while beginning to experience the health benefits of high-quality nutritional supplements immediately. Please keep in mind these supplements are extremely potent and optimal levels of nutrients are being provided that the body has never had before. The body is therefore able to finally rid itself of toxins, which have been accumulating for years (called detoxification). This is especially true in those who are suffering from a serious illness and are taking a significant amount of medication. It is important to understand the possible signs and symptoms of detoxification so that you can deal with them confidently and properly.

Detoxification:

The most common detoxification reaction is muscle aches and/or mild headache. These symptoms will usually pass within a few weeks. If the discomfort is not unbearable, I simply have my patients continue their program as I have prescribed. However, occasionally there is a more severe reaction. The patient is not in danger, rather, the amounts of nutrients are just too much too fast. In this case, I have my patients quit their supplements for a few days until the reaction subsides. I will then have them start back on their program but initially at lower doses (approximately one third of the recommended dose). Once they are tolerating this amount of supplementation, I suggest slowly building up to the recommended doses.

Some of my patients actually develop a "detox" skin rash somewhere on their body. As you know, the skin is an important route for ridding the body’s toxins. This rash is a dry, red rash that looks almost like a mild sunburn. Some people confuse this with an allergic reaction to the supplements. This is not typically so. I have never seen an allergic reaction to the USANA Essentials and can only recall a couple of patients who reacted to Proflavanol because they were actually allergic to grapes.

Patients may also experience some aspect of loose stools or even diarrhea. This again is a common "detox" reaction because the GI tract is another prime route for eliminating toxins from the body. This symptom will usually diminish within a couple of weeks. It is an important part of the detoxification and healing process. Therefore, I usually encourage my patients to continue the supplements as recommended unless their bottom gets too sore. I will then again recommend lower doses of the supplements until they feel better and then begin adding the supplements back more slowly until the recommended doses are reached. Diarrhea can be the result of the magnesium in the Active Calcium or by the Proflavanol. Again, this is usually a mild reaction and will improve over the first week or two. However, some of my patients need to discontinue the Active Calcium and/or the Proflavanol until this settles down. I then have them slowly add back the Proflavanol and eventually the Active Calcium.

Increasing dietary fiber may also increase the amount of intestinal gas and the frequency of bowel movements. This will improve with time as the body adjusts to the higher intake of fiber, but is an important aspect of getting rid of the toxins, which have accumulated in the body.

Natural Relaxation Response:

A small percentage of patients develop a natural relaxation response when minerals are absorbed into their body. This is of great concern to those patients who have just been told that nutritional supplementation will help improve their energy level. They take the supplements as recommended only to find themselves more fatigued and dragging themselves through their day. If you experience this response, I recommend that you take all of your minerals (including the Active Calcium) with a light bedtime snack. This allows you to take advantage of your body’s response while getting a good night’s sleep.

Stomach Upset:

A small percentage of patients have difficulty tolerating vitamin C. It can cause an upset stomach that will usually become evident a couple days after starting their nutritional program. With USANA’s specially combined vitamin C into Poly C, I have seen many of people who could not previously tolerate any nutritional supplements do very well with USANA’s Mega Antioxidant. However, if nausea is experienced, I suggest taking one Mega Antioxidant with the largest meal. Once this level of supplementation is better tolerated, I suggest slowly adding another Mega Antioxidant to the next largest meal. I anticipate building them up to the recommended level of supplementation, but sometimes this is just not possible. For those extremely sensitive, I advise using Body Rox (the teenage dose of Antioxidants and Minerals) as the best alternative option.

Taking Your Supplements with Your Medication

I am often asked, "Can I take my nutritionals with my medication?" To this I respond with this question, "Can you eat?" I hope my point is made gently but clearly—nutritional supplements simply contain nutrients we should be getting from our foods, but at levels we can no longer obtain from our foods. If you can eat anything, you can also take nutritional supplements. The only exception to this is for those taking the medication, Coumadin (Warfarin), which blocks vitamin K in the body as a way of thinning the blood. If a patient is on Coumadin, I recommend he or she take the Canadian Essentials and Canadian Active Calcium because they contain no vitamin K. Also, patients who are on thyroid medication should take their medication on an empty stomach at least 1 hour prior to meals or prior to taking supplements. Thyroid medication should not be taken with food or with supplements because calcium can block the absorption of the medication.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to make this web site as accurate as possible. The purpose of this site is to educate and inform. As such it is based on scientific evidence and my clinical training and experience. No individual should at any time use the information found on this web site for self-diagnosis, treatment, or justification in accepting or declining any medical therapy for any health problems or diseases. Any application of the advice herein is at the reader’s own discretion and risk. Therefore, any individual who has a specific health problem or is taking medications must first seek advice from his or her personal physician or healthcare provider before starting a nutritional supplement program. Dr. Strand shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this web site. We assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional.

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