Does Honey Help With Allergies?

On my drive to work, I sometimes see road side vendors claiming they have the cure for allergies.  Their signs boast of their honey coming to the rescue of allergy sufferers.  But are their claims true?  I looked deeper into honey and the claims of allergy relief.

The theory behind honey and its allergy relief lies within the bees little feet.  As they fly from flower to flower collecting nectar, they also carry different types of pollen on their limbs.  When they go back to their hives, the pollen is mixed in with the nectar to make honey.

When the beekeeper takes the honey, it has many of the allergens causing problems among the local residents.  It does not have so much as to cause problems but just enough of the allergens for your body to make antibodies.  In theory, one tablespoon of local honey per day will help your body make antibodies to these allergens...very similar to a flu shot.  The trick is...it has to be local honey.  Buying honey manufactured many counties and/or states away may not carry the same pollen causing you problems.  Many people swear by local honey so if you are suffering this spring...it may be worth a try :)

The World Is Getting Fatter

Obesity is spreading around the world and continues to pose serious health threats according to Dr. Richard Horton, the editor of the Lancet a medical journal.  Besides posing health issues to individuals, the increased costs of treating obesity is a major expense for everyone.  Obesity can cause diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and certain forms of cancer.

This initial study shows that 1.5 billion adults in the world are overweight while 500,000 million of those adults are also classified as obese according to the U.S. Center of Disease Control's BMI calculator.

A different study by Dr. Wang at Columbia University predicts that 50% of Americans will be classified as obese by the year 2030 if this upward trend continues.  Inactivity and diets high in processed foods are the two main culprits for the rise in obesity.

More education is needed to reverse this trend in the U.S. and the rest of the world.  Today, personal trainers are learning how they can prescribe diets and exercise programs in order to help adults and kids alike win the battle against obesity.