Spring has sprung! And with it comes… allergies. The sniffling, sneezing, burning and redness can put a damper on this beautiful time of year. But there is hope. Here are ten tips to try this allergy season.
The oldest medical cliché in the book – but it’s true. A study of 1500 people found that eating apples lowers the incidence of allergy and asthma symptoms.
2. Eat Citrus Fruits Daily
Eating citrus regularly can decrease the symptoms of allergies and asthma. This is likely due to the vitamin C and bioflavonoids that are abundant in citrus fruit. Eat at least one citrus fruit daily – organic lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines, clementines, kumquats and grapefruits are good choices.
3. Eat Lots of Berries
Berries truly are a ‘superfruit.’ They are rich in vitamin C, bioflavonoids, anthocyandins and antioxidants. A high intake of antioxidants has been shown to have a positive impact on allergy symptoms. Eat one handful of blueberries, blackberries or raspberries daily to get the benefit from these sweet superfoods.
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause a lot more than just digestive symptoms. Consider having a food allergy test to determine your individual food reactions. Or try the elimination diet with your Naturopathic Doctor to see how food allergies and sensitivities are impacting your allergies.
5. Eliminate Margarine From Your Diet
Margarine is high in poly-unsaturated omega-6 fatty acids which can result in inflammation in the body (the symptoms of allergy – runny nose, itchy red eyes – are due to inflammation of mucous membranes).
Adults and children with allergies should remove all margarine from their diet. A 2003 study found that eating margarine led to more symptoms of wheezing and runny nose (allergic rhinitis) in children with allergies.
6. Try the Anti-Inflammatory Diet
There are foods that we eat that can decrease inflammation and there are other foods that can promote inflammation in our bodies. The Anti-Inflammatory diet can teach you how to boost anti-inflammatory foods (like flax seed oil, citrus fruits and various vegetables) and decrease pro-inflammatory foods (like margarine, dairy products and red meat).
7. Increase Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids are the heavy-hitters of the natural anti-inflammatory world. Omega 3 fatty acids found in flaxseed and cold water fish are the most effective in the treatment of allergy symptoms. Increasing omega 3 fatty acids in your diet (or through use of supplements) results in decreased production of inflammatory chemicals and fewer allergy symptoms.
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that is found in a wide variety of foods (including apples, citrus fruits, onions and buckwheat). It is nature’s anti-histamine, reducing the release of histamine from mast cells. It should be taken preventatively – year-round for chronic allergies and seasonally for seasonal allergies.
9. Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica)
This local medicinal plant has a long history of use in the treatment of allergies. It has been rigorously studied and has been shown to be as effective, or more effective, than popular allergy medications. It is available as a tea or in freeze-dried extracts. It should be taken daily throughout allergy season.
Acupuncture can be a useful addition to the management of chronic or seasonal allergies. Between 6-10 sessions are needed to tonify the detoxification systems of the body and balance the organ systems (skin, liver, kidneys, and adrenals) that are commonly involved in allergy symptoms.
Book an appointment with your Naturopathic Doctor now to customize your comprehensive plan for the upcoming allergy season. It may turn out to be your best season yet!
The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider. Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.