because you care

Life is just not fair sometimes. While most people joyously welcome the warmer weather, fresh green grass and blossoming flowers of spring time; there are those who begrudge the change in season. The very thought of all the pollen escaping and floating menacingly into the air means that it ‘s only a matter of time before the eyes start to itch, the nose starts to run and a good night's sleep becomes a thing of the past.

Sounding familiar to anyone?
Cursing this annual nuisance, their only option seems to be either trying to avoid all possible allergens (not so easy!) or else relying on over-the-counter antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, sleep aids, nasal sprays and eye drops to get them through the day!

There is hope
What if I told you that there is another option and that is simply taking the natural approach. Herbs, nutrients and certain foods as well as a few tweaks to your lifestyle will not only help support your body and control your allergy symptoms; they may even provide complete healing and enable you to enjoy springtime the way nature intended; allergy-free!

Want to know how to do it? Let’s explore the world of allergies a little more...







Firstly, what exactly is an allergy?
An allergy is an inappropriate response by the body’s immune system to a substance that is not normally harmful.
Usually our immune system can distinguish between toxic foreign invaders and non-toxic ones and thus selectively mobilise the white blood cells to fight off any chance of infection. However, when our immunity has been weakened from pollution, disease, stress, anti-biotics, medication etc, it is far too tired to even think about figuring out the good guys from the bad. The result is that it signals to the white blood cells to attack any external substance… this is why you could be allergic to things like certain foods, chemicals, metals, moulds etc that other people have no problem with. Eventually the white blood cells get fed up with the immune system and start overreacting, which in the end causes more damage to the body than the invader!

So what can I do?
I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now, but the first thing to do is strengthen your immune system! A good balanced diet full of raw fruits, nuts, seeds, sprouts and vegetables as well as high quality protein and complex carbohydrates; good quality sleep; stress coping techniques and exercise all dramatically improve your health and help the body function at its optimum.

Eat an allergy-busting diet
Avoid
First of all, when dealing with allergies it is always recommended that you try and avoid certain foods until your body is strong enough to handle them again. Unfortunately these are normally all our favourites: caffeine, sugar, fatty foods, chocolate, oranges, corn, eggs, dairy, peanuts, oysters, refined and processed foods, tomatoes, wheat and gluten-containing grains, beef products and white rice. Ouch! But before you think I am being ridiculous; the majority of these are mucous-producing foods. So those symptoms of inflamed sinuses, runny noses, sinus headaches, post-nasal drip, coughs, phlegm etc will only be made worse if you keep on eating them.

Include
Rather fill your diet with apples, berries, grapefruit, onions, garlic, cabbage, herbal tea and even the odd glass of wine (yay) as these are all rich in Quercetin. This potent flavonoid is a powerful natural anti-histamine that also helps reduce intestinal damage caused by the ingestion of food allergens. It is enhanced by both Vitamin C (which helps the body detoxify histamine) and Bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapple).

Bee Pollen – now this may seem counter-intuitive; how can something with the word ‘pollen’ in it, be used to treat allergies? The answer is fairly simple. Bee pollen works in a similar way to a vaccine in the sense that by putting a small amount of a seemingly harmful irritant into your body, it is able to build up an immunity against it. This ensures that next time your immune system comes into contact with that substance (perhaps in larger quantities) it is prepared to handle it effectively so no “hyper-reaction” occurs.

Just remember to always start with a very small amount (only 2 or 3 granules per day) and once your body has adapted you can slowly work up to a maintenance dose of about 1 tablespoon per day. However, always consult with your health practitioner if you are unsure. Those with a history of anaphylactic reactions should avoid bee pollen.

Water – I know you’ve heard it a million times before, but it is so important to make sure you drink enough clean water! The body cannot function without water. When it is dehydrated it has a water rationing system that redistributes water to maintain the function of the most important organs (brain, lungs, liver, kidneys and glands). What is so interesting is that histamine is the neurotransmitter that is activated during dehydration. Therefore, when chronic dehydration occurs, histamine levels become elevated and an allergic response is produced.

Allergy-busting supplements
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is otherwise known as the anti-stress vitamin as it helps support the adrenal glands. It is extremely effective when stress is aggravating your allergy symptoms. It also stimulates the production of antibodies.
• Probiotics – these beneficial bacteria promote intestinal immune system health and improve digestion – both important factors in preventing allergies. They also fight the effects of harmful organisms that can damage the intestinal wall which in turn ensures that allergy-triggering food proteins are not absorbed. L-Glutamine is also beneficial in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining.
• MSM – a naturally-occurring sulphur that has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties equal to or better than most over-the-counter antihistamines . (for more info refer to my previous article on MSM - www.lifestylehealth.co.za/articles/76-msm)
• Vitamin E – higher concentrations of vitamin E intake have been shown to be associated with lower antibody levels and lesser occurrences of an allergic response, particularly with asthma patients . Wheatgerm is especially high in Vitamin E.
• Omega-3 fatty acids – powerful anti-inflammatory in the body, great for sinus related symptoms and sinus headaches.
daisy

Herbs
There is an abundance of herbs that are highly beneficial in treating and alleviating allergy symptoms. However, I have only mentioned a few. For more information, come chat to us at Lifestyle Health and we’d be more than happy to tell you about the other options.
• Horseradish – excellent for clearing the sinuses (real authentic wasabi is an extract from horseradish, and those of you who love sushi will know about the powerful effect it has if you eat too much!)
• Stinging Nettle - very effective in the treatment of allergic nasal and respiratory symptoms, coughs, chest congestion, asthma, runny nose etc. It has powerful anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Boswellia – works at a cellular level to reduce inflammatory and allergic response.

Practical Suggestion - Invest in a Neti Poti
I love tea and generally know quite a lot about the different brews and drinking vessels, but I must say I was stumped when someone asked me about a Neti pot! Made popular by Oprah, these miniature tea pots have been used for centuries in India to flush the nasal cavities of excess mucus and debris. Cheap and easy to use, you simply fill the pot with a mixture of warm water and sea salt, tip your head to the side and pour the solution in one nostril and allow it to run through and exit out the opposite. There is little, if any, discomfort and absolutely no side-effects.

I hope I have inspired you and given you enough information to help you see that there is absolutely no need for you to live your life around your allergies and suffer needlessly. There are plenty of natural alternatives to help combat those pesky seasonal allergies and restore balance in your body on a much deeper and, hopefully, permanent level. Just be diligent, a little patient and experience the healing power of natural remedies.

Article from www.lifestylehealth.co.za if you have any questions email her from her site or comment below