Hay fever and allergies are apparently becoming more common these days. With the hay fever season almost upon us I thought I’d shed some light on some areas which may help these symptoms.
Hay fever occurs when the immune system sees pollen as a foreign invader, this triggers mast cells to attack which release histamine. This is why anti-histamines are used to counteract hay fever symptoms. Anti-histamines work well but can cause tiredness.
Some people use them to aid sleep. An off-label use for anti-histamines is they keep receptor sites, well receptive to stimulants, but that’s another post for another day. Longer-term use of anti-histamines isn’t supposed to be good for brain health. So best, as usual, to opt for natural remedies when possible.
So really, we’re talking about getting the immune system to behave itself properly. Indeed an overzealous immune response can cause a catalogue of problems in the body. Everything from reactive arthritis, MS to Alzheimer’s can be triggered and worsened by immune-based issues, so keeping that bad boy under control — whilst busy reacting to the right things like cancer cells is a great way to stay healthy and also reduce symptoms of hay fever, asthma, eczema and so on.
Quick Tips for the busy reader;
- Correct vitamin D and other deficiencies
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet, I’ve spoken about this many times before
- Take anti-inflammatory herbs like curcumin, Boswellia and quercetin
- Use local poly floral honey — this helps in about 60% of cases, but you gotta get the right honey which contains the pollen you are allergic to — worth a whirl though
- Sort out your gut — good gut bacteria regulates the immune system
- Clean your air at home and use a diffuser with anti-inflammatory oils, smells nice and might help
- Sort out your omega 3 / 6 ratio, by eating less omega 6 and more omega 3
- Enzymes help with inflammation and bromelain helps quercetin work more effectively, if you are looking for a food source solution then it’s eating loads of onions with fresh pineapple — might go well on a low carb Hawaiian pizza
- Avoid things that are pro-inflammatory, generally, this would mean processed foods or foods which you are intolerant to
- Eat plenty of vitamin C rich foods and consider a vitamin C rich supplement
- Use adaptogens to regulate immune response and increase resilience
Get yourself tested
By the way, if you are interested in testing your blood for deficiencies in magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, omega 3, iron, B12, folate, selenium and so on, as well as looking at general blood glucose control and other health related markers you can contact me. I can refer you to a London Lab, then interpret and feedback results, drop me an email matt@aminoman.com
There could be a direct link here between vitamin D deficiency and allergies. There is a direct link between vitamin D and asthma — low levels increase asthma symptoms. I’ve found with a few clients and my personal experience that correcting vitamin D deficiency resulted in little or no hay fever the following season as well as a number of other beneficial effects. I also find taking my Metabolic Optimizer really effective for hay fever when used in the morning before going out into the pollen.
These include improved immune function as measured through fewer colds and flu — and less seasonal affective symptoms too. I highly recommend everyone get their vitamin D levels checked out and if necessary — (as it is in 80% of cases) begin supplementing with 2000–5000ius of vitamin D each day.
There’s even some evidence to suggest this will increase strength and muscle function if you are deficient beforehand.
As well as this all inflammatory disorders such as hay fever and asthma will benefit from a low inflammation diet. A low inflammation diet includes high levels of pigment-based plant foods, spices and herbs as well as high levels of omega 3 fatty acids from oily fish and linseeds, pumpkin seeds and other oils. A low inflammation diet means lower saturated fats and higher white meats and fish although some red meats can be included. Grains and other potential allergy-based foods would be kept to a minimum on this type of plan.
Barrier defense can help a little bit, washing the face and eyes regularly, washing the hand and using larger sunglasses can also help. Rubbing a little moisturiser under the nose can stop some pollen from getting into the nose also.
My Recommendations
Products I make which contain the types of things that can help with hay fever include;
Multi Nutrient Complex, which contains loads of vitamin C, D and everything you need for great general anti-inflammatory support, wellness and guarding against deficiencies
The best 2 probiotics I’ve found are VSL and Symprove, both are available from Amazon.
I hope this helps you to have a better summer, and please do share with anyone who might find this interesting.