3 Things To Do Today To Beat The Allergy Season!
Spring has sprung and our much anticipated Canadian Summer has finally arrived! Most of us eagerly await the warmth and goodness of this season, but some approach it with mixed emotions. If you find yourself looking forward to the warmer weather, but wince at the thought of spending the day in the great outdoors, then you likely suffer from seasonal allergies.The endless days of itchy and watery eyes, unending sneezing and sniffling, itchy ears, inflamed and itchy sinuses and throat, and to top it off fatigue and overall exhaustion, all from the exposure to everyday substances that 80% of the population has no reaction to. It doesn’t seem fair! You want to enjoy the short yet beautiful Canadian Summer but have to limit yourself because of these annoying reactions. You feel hopeless and exhausted from taking antihistamines which you no longer find to be effective or cause you to feel groggy and unlike yourself.But be hopeless no more, because there are simple and natural ways you can address seasonal allergies and we will be covering three ways you can get some relief today!
1. Increase antioxidants in your diet
Allergies are immune reactions: your immune system labels harmless substances as harmful. As you come into contact with pollens and other reactive substances, white blood cells decide that these natural substances are invaders and trigger the development of IgE antibodies. The IgE antibodies course through your system patrolling for pollen and initiates an inflammatory response every time you come in contact with the pollen while histamine is released and your body tries its best to get rid of the intruders.
Boosting your immune system with antioxidant rich substances can act as natural antihistamines. Recentstudies (1, 2) support the inclusion of the following antioxidant rich substances to improve seasonal allergic reactions including vitamins A, D, C & E, minerals including zinc and selenium and phytonutrient compounds such as quercetin, bromelain OPC3. These can be taken in supplement form and through food. Top food sourced of these nutrients include brown mushrooms, red onions, kiwi, apples, almonds, brazil nuts, green leafy vegetables, pineapple, berries and cruciferous vegetables.
2. Apply Celestial Moxa/ San Fu allergy patches
Last month we posted about Celestial moxa, which we are offering for a limited time in our clinic. Celestial moxa are unique herbal patches customized for each patient and placed on unique acupuncture points. These herbs have functions such as warming the Yang energy of the body and activating acupuncture channels and meridians, thereby boosting one’s immune system against external pathogens and alleviating cough or asthma. You can find more information on our website but be sure to act fast as the dates are limited and the schedule is quickly filling up!
3. Add probiotics and fermented foods into your diet
This is helpful as a short term solution to reduce your reactions as well as a long term prevention tool. But why are the addition of bacteria helpful in the prevention of seasonal allergies? Well because they are addressing the underlying cause of allergies: Dysbiosis. This term simply means an imbalance between the beneficial bacteria, pathogenic bacteria and yeast found in our intestinal tract. Recent research (3) has identified the connection of dysbiosis to various diseases including arthritis, cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), type I diabetes (T1D), allergies and asthma.
Seasonal allergies, like any other uncomfortable reaction we may experience in our physical health, is a message from our body. Four out of five Canadians have no reaction to the allergens that are causing you so much grief. Mold, pollen, grass, ragweed are not harmful substances. If they were, then everyone would react to them -- but they don’t. Your reaction then is simply the body’s way of communicating that there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Taking probiotics and adding fermented foods is a great start. It will reduce the immune response but won’t eliminate it altogether. A well rounded protocol is needed in order to improve the intestinal mucus lining, reduce the pathogenic bacteria and yeast that has accumulated in the intestinal tract and proliferate beneficial bacteria.
If this sounds crazy to you, it’s not. I personally suffered from seasonal allergies since my early teens. I had reactions from early Spring into late Summer - sometimes into Fall. As I corrected the imbalances in my body, I was able to eliminate the reactions. I never thought this was possible, but it absolutely is! I had a severe case. Spending a few hours outdoors meant that I had to spend 2-3 days indoors to recover. I am so thankful that is no longer the case! In addition to helping myself, I have also helped many others reduce and finally eliminate such reactions.
Lara Frendjian (RHN, CPA, CA) is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist working at Complete Balance. She tailors nutrition and menu plans with TCM theory-based knowledge to work with individuals suffering from various conditions including IBS as well as assisting in the prevention of seasonal allergies and other imbalances in our body. She gives talks on TV and radio programs such as Robbie Raugh’s The Raw Truth and holds seminars in local communities. Lara is a passionate speaker and blogger and hopes to develop a healthy attitude towards food and ourselves.
