Flowers are budding. Trees are blooming. Your nose is running, eyes are watering, and skin is itching. Not quite the spring you were hoping for? Do you welcome every spring with a host of pesky allergy symptoms? If so, you need a new plan this season.
Allergy patients around the world turn to conventional treatments, such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, allergy shots, and other drugs. Just as your life-interrupting allergy symptoms are about to disappear, you start to experience side effects of the allergy pills, such as sedation and drowsiness.
Want to reduce some of those symptoms naturally? Healthful eating can bring allergy relief. It's not just about reducing allergy symptoms. Your diet can strengthen your immune system and make it less hyperactive. When the nose and throat are already inflamed by histamine, a poor diet will only add fire to the inflammation.
Consider a study in which subjects consumed margarine weekly. This rich source of omega-6 fatty acids led to an increase in skin sensitivity, asthma, and other allergy symptoms.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you're low on antioxidants, your airway can be vulnerable to oxidative damage as it is exposed to the outside world. Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamins A, C, E, carotenoids, selenium, and flavanoids can protect the airway and lungs from oxidative damage. This, in turn, can reduce symptoms associated with allergies, including wheezing.
Apples, for example, have polyphenols that effectively suppress histamine release. One study found that apple polyphenols significantly reduced sneezing attacks and nasal discharge.
Grapes also have a protective effect against wheezing. The skin of red grapes is rich in polyphenols (cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, quercetin, catechins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins). These all contain powerful free-radical scavenging abilities. Resveratrol, another component found in grape skin, can reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. - Sip on green tea. The major ingredient in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory. It has been shown to reduce mucus production and inflammation in the airway.
- Spice up your spring with turmeric. Its yellow-orange active component, curcumin, is an anti-inflammatory compound that suppresses histamine release from mast cells. Use this golden spice to season your meats, flavor your curries, or when preparing whole grain and vegetable dishes.
- Spice up your spring with turmeric. Its yellow-orange active component, curcumin, is an anti-inflammatory compound that suppresses histamine release from mast cells. Use this golden spice to season your meats, flavor your curries, or when preparing whole grain and vegetable dishes.
- Probiotics. Yes, they aren't just for gastrointestinal health. They can improve your respiratory system. How? By regulating and stimulating your immune system. Probiotics are involved in a number of mechanisms that help control hypersensitivity responses of the immune system. Also, studies show that abnormal changes in gut microflora are involved in allergic disorders.
- If wheezing symptoms are driving you nuts, fight back with, well, nuts. Rich in vitamin E, nuts are great free-radical scavengers. If you aren't allergic to nuts, they can defend your body against oxidation and protect against asthma symptoms.
- Optimize with omega-3. Anti-inflammatory fish oils, especially EPA and DHA, reduce the production of various inflammatory mediators involved in the allergic response.
EnergyFirst's Greenergy green drink contains many anti-allergy ingredients, including the abovementioned green tea, turmeric, and numerous anti-inflammatory fruits and vegetables, including organic apples and grapes. This superfood powder also has an immunity blend that includes 200 billion CFU of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus.
RESOURCES
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006; 16(5):283-9.
Rhinology. 2014 Dec; 52(4):406-12.
Thorax. 2007 Aug; 62(8): 677–683.
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Sep; 52(9):1031-9.
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Jul; 42 Suppl 2:S91-6.
