OVERVIEW

Sinus problems consist of headaches, excess mucous, snoring, stuffiness, pressure, bad breath, sinus drip and sinus infections.

These are problems that send millions of people to buy millions of dollars worth of over-the-counter and prescription remedies that rarely work. And even if they help, none of these drugs are getting to the cause of sinus conditions.

Fortunately, there are a number of dietary and lifestyle adjustments that can be made, including ones that can take care of sinus problems once and for all.

THE PROBLEM

The sinuses are cavities within the skull, toward the face, and affect areas behind the cheeks, eyes and nose.

Sinuses can become inflamed, which then puts pressure on nerves that lead to pain and discomfort. The inflammation usually comes from excessive mucous filling the sinus cavities.

For this reason, it’s common for doctors to use anti-infammatory drugs, but these are known to cause side effects that include the destruction of tissue. Comedian and actor Ray Romano once told of how he used a sinus inhaler on a regular base only to wake up in a hotel with a nose that would not stop bleeding.

Too much mucous is caused by a number of things, including fatty foods and dairy products, allergic reactions to pet dander and pollen, perfumes and pollutants, colds and flu, and chlorinated pools.

The doctors at webmd say, “When you’ve got a cold or allergies, the membranes lining your nasal passages become inflamed and irritated. They begin to produce excess mucus as a way of flushing out whatever is causing the irritation – whether a virus, or bacteria, or allergens.”

THE NATURAL APPROACH

Sinus medications don’t work. At best they relieve some pain until time passes by. What has worked for many is a complete overhaul of the diet to all natural foods combined with the removal from your environment all irritating substances such as dust, dander, mold, mildew, perfumes, bug sprays, pollen and so forth. A hepa filter can help with this chore as well as a thorough house cleaning.

We’ve developed a special Sinus Diet that can help, along with certain supplements that contain anti-inflammatory foods and anti-microbials. On top of this, by building up your immune system you can avoid a lot of sinus problems.

Topically, consider this: Inflammation of the sinuses causes pain, and inflammation causes expansion of tissues that press on nerves.

To deal with a sinus headache, a few cups of hot strong organic regular coffee often does the trick within minutes.

You may also experiment with ice cold compresses or hot compresses. Cold shrinks inflamed membranes, while heat may get mucous to flow.

Further, a nasal flush may be of use to you. Flushing your nasal passages with salt water has some good scientific evidence behind it, say doctors at webmd. “The water washes out mucus and other debris – including allergens or germs – while keeping your nasal passages moist…You could use a syringe, a neti pot, or one of the more elaborate and expensive nasal irrigators available in stores.”

THE SINUS DIET

Note that chronic sinus problems may be from food intolerance, including problems with gluten. Avoiding gluten in all foods may be necessary if no other remedies seem to work.

GOAL:

TO ADDRESS SINUS PAIN, RUNNY NOSE, SNEEZING, CONGESTION

TRIAL PERIOD:

FOR 21DAYS, FOLLOW THESE DIETARY SUGGESTIONS with supplements (listed to the right)

EAT ORGANICALLY GROWN FOODS (IDEALLY ) ONLY FROM THESE CATEGORIES (NO OTHER FOODS OR DRINKS DURING THIS DIET): Symptoms of sinus problems include:

stuffiness in your head pain ranging from discomfort to serious headache runny nose sneezing feeling like you have the flu or a cold sinus drip that often causes bad breath discharge of mucous watery eyes

FACTORS TO AVOID DURING THIS PROGRAM (see note above regarding gluten):

eggs, milk, chocolate, cream, margarine, cream cheese all strong smells (perfumes, glues, etc.) dust and pollution (avoid as best as possible) plant pollen (stay indoors if plants are in bloom) drugs (check side effects with your doctor or the PDR) cigarette smoke and environmental smoke (fireplaces, forest fires, etc.) artificial ingredients in foods (chemicals, trans fats, etc.); eat only ORGANIC fried foods & bad oils (trans fats, canola, cooked oils,, etc.): USE ONLY ORGANIC BUTTER fatty foods (meat fats, creamy foods, sauces, gravies)

refined sugar (avoid soft drinks, powdered drinks, syrup, and all desserts) All drinks except organic green tea, decaffeinated tea and water Processed food (foods in packages except for grains): this includes chips, boxed cereals (organic oatmeal is okay), canned soups, canned food, crackers, snack foods, junk foods

AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM:

After this diet, switch to a maintenance schedule of NutriPlex Formulas’ whole food supplements: SuperGreens and CaroC (6 tablets a day, each) add only real foods which do not include margarine, artificial ingredients or other nonfoods. Add no more than 1 new food every 5 days. Do not eat/add any foods in packages that contain artificial ingredients on the label/packaging to avoid consuming chemicals. Organic produce is preferred to avoid pesticides.

Sinus Infections—Antibiotics Not Always the Answer

Using a neti pot or bulb syringe to cleanse the nasal passages and sinuses is highly effective for treating both acute and chronic sinusitis. Identifying and treating food allergies and intolerances can also be helpful, especially for chronic sinusitis. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;133:260–5)

“Although the majority of sinus infections are not caused by bacteria, antibiotics (which kill only bacteria) are the most commonly prescribed drug treatment. “[An] important possibility is that many patients have self-limited disease that will resolve regardless of treatment.” In other words, even though the antibiotics appear to have cleared up the infection, it might have happened just as quickly with no treatment at all. There are concerns about the overuse of antibiotics and the resultant problems, including drug resistance and increasingly virulent bacteria.” (Beauchamp)

THE RESEARCH

The University of Maryland Medical Center experts say, “Sinus headaches can be caused by sinus congestion and inflammation (called sinusitis). Sinusitis, in turn, is caused by either a respiratory infection (such as a cold or flu) or allergies (like hay fever). Healthy sinuses allow mucus to drain and air to circulate throughout the nasal passages. When sinuses become inflamed, these areas get blocked and mucus cannot drain. When sinuses become blocked, they provide a place for bacteria, viruses, and fungus to live and grow rapidly. Although a cold is most often the culprit, sinusitis can be caused by anything that prevents the sinuses from draining.”

Helpful supplements include those that help with inflammation without causing harm to the tissues of the sinuses and blood vessels. Antihistamines and nasal sprays have been known to cause irritation and bleeding.

Medical doctors with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology list these possible antihistamine side effects:restlessness, nervousness, over excitability, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, euphoria, fainting, visual disturbances, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distress, constipation, diarrhea, increased or decreased urination, urinary retention, high or low blood pressure, nightmares (especially in children), sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, chest tightness or palpitations. Men with prostate enlargement may encounter urinary problems while on antihistamines.

It’s always better to try something natural.

SUPPLEMENTS

Foods do not contain steroids or manmade antihistamines that lead to side effects. Instead, foods, such as those in the following supplements, work mildly and in accordance with the biochemistry of the body.

Our sinus diet supplements include (for adults):

InflaPlex: 6 capsules a day

FlavoC: 8 tablets a day (contains the beneficial herb echinacea)

Ultimate Defense: 6 tablets a day

SuperGreens PhytoFood: 1-2 T per day

DigestPlex: 1-2 with each meal