What Causes Allergies – And Some Easy Allergy Tips

There is little doubt that the weather is wonky these days – everywhere.

It seems this wonky weather has pushed the pollen count up, too – everywhere.

So, if you suffer from wonky seasonal or perennial allergies, you are one of roughly 45 million Americans who suffer from hay fever or recurrent allergies.

That means at any given moment, one out of every six people in America are sneezy, itchy, and stuffed up — or sedated by the drugs that suppress the symptoms.

Natural Solutions

A team of researches from Finland have discovered that your diet might play a role in the increase of allergies.

Their study found that children who developed allergies ate less, natural butter and more margarine. Compared with children who did not develop allergies, the allergic children also ate less fish, although this dietary difference was less significant. 

The study is not the first to suggest that certain types of fatty acids may play a role in the onset of allergic diseases.

Polyunsaturated fats like those in margarine appear to promote the formation of prostaglandin E2, a substance that promotes inflammation and causes the immune system to release a protein that triggers allergic reactions. 

The research supports the idea that the quality of fat consumed in the diet is important in the development of allergic diseases in children and adults.

So, no more trips to the donut shop or fast food breakfast take-out for you or the kids, especially during allergy season. Processed and packaged foods replete with food chemicals and preservatives obviously worsen allergy symptoms. 

The possibility of preventing allergic diseases using vitamin supplements or through changing the fatty acid composition of your diet remains to be tested by more clinical trials, but when you adjust your diet and your children’s diet during allergy season, you may notice less sneezing, headaches, and watery eyes. 

Some Tips To Reduce Allergy Symptoms

• Remove sugars and foods that turn to sugar, along with consuming less milk and creamy dairy products.
• Don’t skip meals.  Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your body. When you’re hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous  system. This causes light-headedness, cravings, anxiety and fatigue, AND an increase in allergy symptoms.

 So, eat steadily throughout the day. Start each morning with a good breakfast and “graze” healthfully every two to four hours so your blood sugar won’t take any sharp dips – you’ll feel more rested and energetic and will be more resistant to allergic reactions.

• Check out my 75/25 Eating Plan and eat more raw uncooked foods. Raw eggs may take some getting used to, but they are an inexpensive way to increase the amount of uncooked protein and healthy fat in your diet. And forget the myths of an egg’s great risk: without getting into the debate about mass-produced corporate eggs, the risk of salmonella from raw eggs is only 1 in 30,000, and even that risk can be greatly avoided by carefully examining the eggs prior to eating them. When possible, buy free-range, farm-fresh eggs, and avoid the corporate eggs.

• Pay off your sleep debt. During a good night’s sleep, your adrenal glands are restored and repaired. Unfortunately, most of us are on the go, and we end up getting less sleep than we need, night after night. The result – with a lack of sleep, your adrenal glands remain depleted and your immune system stressed, which is fertile ground for disease.
• Avoid toxic chemicals.  A variety of toxins in foods and in the environment contribute to a heightened adrenal response and stress, which in turn, increases allergy symptoms.
• Dust-proof your house, and perhaps install an air purifier.  Look for one that contains a HEPA filter to remove even the smallest of allergens. Avoiding animal dander is not always possible if you have indoor pets, but make your bedroom an animal-free zone, even though your “Princess” may not be too happy with you.
• Do outdoor activities in the morning. Pollen levels tend to be higher in the afternoon and evening. Also, have your lawn mowed often. It will help control the pollen in the air around your home.

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  Drink two quarts of clean water daily, and three quarts during allergy season. When you’re inadequately hydrated, your body releases histamine (the chemical that constricts the airways and causes allergy symptoms) as a way of preventing water loss through your lungs. The reverse is also true: Water acts as a natural antihistamine. Simply drinking plenty of pure, filtered water will help reduce the release of histamine and lessen your allergy symptoms.

• Take acidophilus.  A study conducted at the University of California in Davis found that people who ate yogurt containing live L. acidophilus and other bacterial cultures every day had significantly less hay fever. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt boost the production of gamma interferon, a powerful immune protein that fights off allergic reactions and infections. Eat 1.5 to 2 cups of yogurt a day for the greatest benefit. (Make sure you don’t get sugar-free yogurt by mistake.) You can take an acidophilus supplement each morning on an empty stomach.  Start now — it takes about three months to build up enough cultures.

•  Get natural relief from nutritional supplements. Certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs act as natural antihistamines and help keep inflammation in check. Check with your nutritionist for specific recommendations.

Stay as chemical free as possible, eat whole foods with natural oils at every meal, drink plenty of water, and take your vitamin supplements during allergy season, and enjoy being outdoors.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is educational in nature. The FDA may not have evaluated some of the statements.  This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please discuss with your own, qualified health care provider before adding supplements or making any changes to your dietary program.

Before taking vitamins, consult your doctor; pre-existing medical conditions or medications you are taking can affect how your body responds to multivitamins.