In my last post "Understanding Allergies", I talked about how allergies are the result of a dysfunctional immune system, outlined stats on the growing number of allergy sufferers and the cost of allergies.
Allergies can be caused and/or triggered by:
*Alcohol, sugar and simple carbohydrates
*Toxins… e.g. chemicals, cleaning products,
second-hand smoke
*Stress (Cortisol also can damage every organ
system in the body, leading to depressed immune function.)
*Lack of nutrients
I believe when we understand what’s happening during allergy attacks, treating them naturally seems like common sense.
What Are Some Natural Solutions to Allergies?
· Rebuild Immune System…
Eat Allergy-Fighting
Foods. A German study,
published in the journal Allergy, found that participants who ate
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids were less likely to suffer allergy symptoms
than those who didn’t regularly eat these foods. Omega-3s help fight
inflammation and can be found in cold-water fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil, as
well as grass-fed meat and eggs.
To help keep airways clear when pollen counts are
high, add a dash of horseradish, chili peppers or hot mustard to your food —
all act as natural, temporary decongestants. It’s also a good idea to avoid
foods that you’re slightly allergic to until the air clears.
·
Avoid mucous producing foods
o
Sugar (and sugary soft drinks)
o
Wheat and baked goods
o
Dairy
Adding supplements can be a smart to boost your immune system
· Vitamin C – Natural anti-histamine. Safe to help symptoms until you build up your immune system.
· Nutriferon (Immunity Booster) - Because allergies are an immune response, building up our immune system is smart and I recommend Nutriferon, an exclusive Immune Booster developed by Dr. Yasuhiko Kojima, the world-renowned immunologist who discovered interferon in 1954, he dedicated 40 years of research to finding natural compounds that would provide a boost to interferon production. This patented botanical blend is found in Nutriferon and is the only immunity supplement in the U.S. created by the discoverer of interferon.
Restore Digestive Health & Eliminate Candida Yeast
Remove Toxins and chemicals
Chemicals can trigger allergy/asthma attacks and as you know, I am a big proponent of removing chemicals from our homes. Here are a few things to consider ...
- Switch out all traditional brand chemical cleaners to safe non-toxic cleaning options or make your own.
- Laundry products are a key area often missed. Just because the label says fragrance free doesn't mean it is chemical free and won't affect you (many time it is long term exposure we don't consider). If we think about it... our cloths lay against our skin all day and our sheets, all night. Most products remain lodged in the fabrics and are often an irritant.
- Consider any added fragrances in products. Fragrances are considered a trade secret so companies do not have to disclose the ingredients which are often synthetic chemicals. According to an article by the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, 1 in every 50 people become sensitive to fragrances and can remain so for the rest of their life. They also confirm that fragrances often trigger allergy and asthma attacks. ie. think about your perfume the next time you put it on.
- In a recent post Celebrate Earth Day By Learning About Your Home Environment, a friend of mine, Brian Schutt, shared some interesting statistics on the impact of chemicals in our homes. Brian also recommends adding an air purifier onto your furnace... a safe and smart solution for everyone but especially anyone suffering from allergies and asthma.
Essential oils
My friend Pam Howard has shared some allergy tips on her website today also at BeHealthyBeHappyWellness. I hope you will take a look at her suggestions and especially about the essential oils which can help with allergy symptoms and can also be a great natural alternative to add fragrance in our homes. One of my favorite essential oils is lavender and the added bonus is that it relieves allergy symptoms! But I also learned that Peppermint isn't just for the holidays... it is great for sinus headaches and very refreshing.
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