Naturopathic Doctor
The Lifelong Wellness Company Inc.
Active Health Centre
5871 Hwy 7 E
Markham, ON L3P 1A3
Clinic: (905) 294-0454
e-mail: info@lifelongwellnesscentre.com
www.lifelongwellnesscentre.com
www.facebook.com/lifelongwellnesscentre
www.twitter.com/lifelongwell
Whether you suffer from seasonal pollen allergies from trees, grasses, and weeds, or from year round mould and dust mites, there are many natural treatment options available so that you can breathe easier and promote Lifelong Wellness. Herbs as well as nutritional interventions through diet and/or supplementation not only tackle uncomfortable symptoms such as sinus congestion, runny noses, and scratchy throats, but typically provide many additional health benefits and have much fewer if any side effects than pharmaceutical medications.
When the immune system is challenged by a foreign invader, histamine is released from mast cells, which helps allow white blood cells and various proteins to pass through our circulatory system more efficiently to promote an appropriate immune response. This process however makes our capillaries slightly more permeable to water, which often contributes to many of the symptoms commonly associated with allergies.
Vitamin C when combined with Quercetin has been shown to possess antihistamine properties. Camu camu is one of the highest vitamin C containing fruits in the world, and Quercetin can be found in apples, capers, and tomatoes (to name a few). Of course besides contributing to reductions in histamine release these nutrients/foods are often anti-inflammatory, and contain antioxidants as well as many additional immune boosting compounds. Nettle, which is a herb that has been used for centuries to treat allergic rhinitis, decreases histamine release by affecting the Histamine 1 receptor from mast cells, basophils, etc. Moreover Nettle has anti-inflammatory properties by modulating COX-1, COX-2 and Prostaglandin D2 Synthase enzymes, which are areas of interest in many additional research categories; notably pain management.
Avoiding pro-inflammatory foods is a wise strategy for someone who experiences chronic allergies. It is difficult to broadly categorize any one particular food as being pro-inflammatory or not because everyone responds differently. Some people have particular food sensitivities that if properly evaluated, can be temporarily removed or reduced from their diet. Generally speaking red meat, dairy, refined sugar, and gluten containing grains tend to be on the top of the list. Ask your Naturopathic Doctor whether other foods such as citrus fruit, nightshade vegetables, and/or egg should be considered. Spices such as ginger and turmeric can be added to foods as they are immune boosting and anti-inflammatory.
Sinus rinses are safe and easy ways of providing local relief against mucous build up. Neti pots and/or nasal sprays are commercially available so ask for them at your local health food store. Digestive enzymes such as mucolase may also be used to physically break down excess mucous. Additionally, probiotics are live microorganisms that can confer many immune benefits, including alleviating nasal symptoms associated with allergies. Some probiotic formulas include the bacteria as well as the fluid or medium in which they exert their fermenting capabilities. It is this nutrient rich medium that might contain more health benefits than the bacteria themselves. Lastly, if mould and dust mites are affecting the way you breathe, a good air purifier is probably a worthy investment, because breathing clean air is too important to miss out on.
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