Natural Treatments for Allergies and Allergy Sufferers
by Brian Bartholomew D.C. & Dr. David Suro [Allergy and Sinus]
Allergies are an exaggerated response to non-harmful environmental substances (allergens). Environmental substance encompass the air we breathe, foods we eat, drinks and everything that comes into contact with our skin. Common symptoms of allergies include sneezing, coughing, congestion, headaches, itchy eyes and skin rashes. Most allergies are not dangerous but extreme cases and lead to life threatening emergencies. The main causes or contributors to allergies are nutritional deficiencies, nerve interference from subluxation, poor digestion and chronic inflammation.
Seasonal allergies are by far the most common form of allergies. Often the irritating factor is pollen from grass, flowers and/or weeds. Other frequent allergic instigators are household items such as dyes and perfumes found in laundry soap, shampoo and fabric softeners. Food allergens are most often caused by dairy products, gluten, dyes and preservatives.
Foods Beneficial for Reducing Allergies
Fresh fruits and vegetables – Processed foods contain chemicals that lead to allergic reactions in many people. Reducing or eliminating processed foods from your diet eliminates much toxic chemical exposure. Fresh local fruits and veggies are best. Organic is great but not always better than local. Talk to your farmer and tour their farm if you can. Read about the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen each year. Try a juice fast to help with detoxification.
Clean lean protein – Organic, grass-fed or free-range beef, chicken and venison are excellent sources of protein and good animal fats. Wild caught fish is another staple fat and protein source. You would be surprised by how much protein is in many vegetables. Try my favorite veggie add-ons: broccoli, beans and nuts.
Anti-inflammatory foods and spices – Reducing inflammation by adding “de-flaming”ingredients helps promote optimal health for every cell in a person’s body. Mixing ground flax seeds or chia seeds into a smoothie is a great way to add anti-inflammatory foods. Seasoning your foods with garlic, ginger, cinnamon or turmeric significantly reduces inflammation in your body.
Cold pressed oils – Coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil are the healthy, easy to digest, beneficial oils that we use most. Avocado oil is a go to for cooking at high temperatures. Coconut oil is beneficial for everything from making skin care products to replacing margarine when cooking. Use olive oil on your salads and veggies.
Foods To Avoid
Gluten – Foods processed from wheat and other grains, such as barley and rye, contain gluten. Gluten is a sticky protein that caused allergic reactions. Consumption of gluten has been shown to lead to celiac disease, leaky gut and many other health challenges in many people. Easy change: boot the breads, cookies and pastas and replace them with healthier options. Try replacing the pastas with spaghetti squash. Gluten free options are not always that much better as they can be made with odd chemicals so make sure to read your labels.
Conventional dairy and eggs – Both of these foods commonly increase mucous production which, in turn, leads to increased congestion, coughing, and sneezing especially when a person is exposed to other toxins. Because of unhealthy living conditions and feeds conventional dairy and eggs are not fit for human consumption. The protein beta casein A1 in dairy foods has been shown to cause food allergies.
Trans-fats and hydrogenated oils – These fats and oils should be avoided because they cause inflammation and auto-immune dysfunction.
Natural Supplements for Reducing Allergic Responses
- Vitamin C (2000 mg daily): Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and antihistamine. It supports the immune system and is best found in bell peppers & citrus fruits.
- Quercetin (1000mg daily): This flavonoid is found in green tea, red wine, oranges, grapefruit and onions.
- Bromelain (250mg daily): This enzyme is made form pineapples and is know to greatly reduce swelling, especially in the nose and sinuses.
- Stinging Nettles (300-500 mg twice daily): Nettle is know to be an antihistamine reducing swelling and allergic responses.
- Local Raw Honey (2 tbsp daily): Locally sourced raw honey is primed to reduce allergic reactions the body has to the pollen of local flowers and flowering weeds.
Essential Oils
Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil help open the lungs and sinuses making breathing easier and helping to improve circulation. Diffusing tea tree oil is a great way to reduce airborne allergens.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care has been shown to help alleviate the physical stress and strains placed on the body when you cough, sneeze and rest for extended periods of time in often uncomfortable positions. Chiropractic care has also been shown to strengthen the immune system and help people heal faster. Being regularly checked by a competent chiropractor is a wonderful thing to do to build lifelong health and wellness. If you are in the Ithaca, NY area give us a call at (607) 257-9355. If you are looking for an excellent chiropractor in your area please shoot us an email and we will do our best to find you one.