Is your life being negatively impacted by allergies or food allergy reactions? Not only that, spring is just blooming under your noses and having seasonal allergies at this time is so common.
Managing allergies can be a very difficult task, regardless of whether the allergic reaction is triggered by environmental triggers, specific foods, or seasonal changes.
But don't worry, there are tons of healthy and lifestyle strategies to help keep your allergies at bay or at least to find some relief from them. In this blog post we will delve into recognizing allergies and finding relief with food and healthy changes.
If your intention is to lose weight, improve acne, fatigue, bloating, or address other gut health concerns, it's important to note that allergies or sensitivities can exacerbate inflammation in the body.
This inflammation can hinder weight loss efforts and worsen symptoms associated with conditions such as acne and gut issues. Therefore, addressing allergies through proper management and lifestyle changes is crucial for our overall well-being.
Common Allergens and the Immune System Response
Allergens are substances that make the immune system react in some people. These can be present in the environment, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, or even in particular foods, such as peanuts, shellfish, dairy products, eggs, and nuts.
When the immune system is exposed to these allergens, it incorrectly recognizes them as potential dangers and starts producing antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin E (IgE), which then causes the production of substances such as histamine.
The progression of these chemical reactions leads to the manifestation of allergy symptoms, which may include inflammation, hay fever aka allergic rhinitis, asthma, dermatitis eczema, hives (also known as urticaria), and food allergies that cause vomiting are all examples of the different manifestations that these might take.
Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, difficulty breathing, swelling, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases are some of the symptoms that can be experienced. The severity of the symptoms can range from mild to severe.
What's the difference between Food Sensitivity and Food Allergy?
Don't get food allergies and food sensitivities mixed up! Food allergy and food sensitivity are not the same thing.
Food allergies are caused by IgE, which causes an instant severe reaction (anaphylaxis, urticaria, redness and inflammation), whereas food sensitivities are caused by IgG, which can lead to not immediate but delayed responses such as headaches, dermatitis, bloating, or issues in the gastrointestinal tract.
Associated symptoms to also watch out for food sensitivities are celiac disease, chronic diarrhea or constipation, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), malabsorption, acne, dermatitis perioral, dermatitis eczema, chronic infections, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headache, hypoglycemia, sinusitis, asthma.
When it comes to an effective nutritional approach of allergies and sensitivities, it is important to have a solid understanding of the underlying causes of these health conditions.
There are a number of things that can contribute to their development, including genetic predispositions, environmental factors, exposure to chemicals, infections, nutritional deficiencies, impaired digestion, and high levels of chronic stress.
Luckily diet and lifestyle choices can help reduce allergy symptoms and enhance overall well-being. Therefore in addition to avoiding common allergens and addressing the underlying causes of allergies, adopting specific dietary and lifestyle practices can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Besides that, it's crucial to recognize food allergies reaction and food allergies signs to effectively manage these conditions.
What about Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies manifest themselves when people respond to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds during particular periods of the year. Some of the most common symptoms are hay fever, sneezing, eyes that are itchy and runny, nasal congestion, and pressure in the sinus.
During the spring and fall seasons, when plants are in flower or when pollen levels are high, these allergies tend to be more widespread than other similar allergies.
Over the course of these times, those who suffer from seasonal allergies may experience severe discomfort and limitation in their ability to carry out their normal tasks.
Natural Remedies for Allergies
If you're struggling to lose weight, improve bloating or constipation and having a glowing skin, having allergies or sensitivities may create inflammation and promote the perfect environment for gut and skin issues, as well as hinder that weight loss from happening.
That being said, making some foundational dietary changes can help you to find relief from allergies, sensitivities and seasonal allergies. And now that spring is here, it's the perfect time to focus on this transition.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys and bladder are associated with winter, while the liver and gall bladder are linked to spring. These organs are considered to be the body's detox organs.
Doing a spring cleanse can help your liver get rid of toxins that have built up over the winter. This can improve your circulation and give you more energy.
Likewise, springtime in Ayurveda indicates a time for rejuvenation and letting go of things that no longer serve us. Based on Ayurvedic philosophy, spring is considered a great time for a natural and holistic cleanse.
It can help reduce stress, improve digestion, increase metabolism, strengthen immunity, and enhance overall health. Why not take advantage of this therapeutic season to rejuvenate both your body and mind?
Some specific recommendations include:
1. Avoid Common Allergens
If you suspect certain foods are triggering your allergies, consider eliminating or reducing common allergens like gluten, dairy, soy, and processed foods from your diet at least until your symptoms improve.
Keeping a food journal can help you pinpoint potential triggers and make informed dietary choices.
As a holistic nutritionist, I often help my clients create personalized food journals in my app when we're working together. These journals are handy for tracking what they eat and spotting any connections between their diet and allergy symptoms.
By keeping track of what they eat and how they feel, my clients can get valuable insights into their health and make positive changes.
If you're dealing with allergies, keeping a food journal could be a game-changer.
2. Anti-inflammatory Foods:
Load up on foods that help reduce inflammation in the body, as inflammation can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Think colourful fruits and veggies like berries, leafy greens, and tomatoes, as well as omega-3 rich foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, and walnuts (if you're not allergic to it, of course).
Looking for anti-inflammatory diet examples or anti-inflammatory meal ideas? Incorporating these nutritious options into your meals can help support your overall health and alleviate allergy symptoms. Also, check out my free 3-day detox meal plan for some delicious recipes tailored to help you detoxify and feel your absolutely best!
3. Quercetin-Rich Foods:
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in foods like onions, apples, and berries. Quercetin has this cool ability to calm down mast cells in your body and ease the release of histamine, which can help dial down those allergy symptoms.
Incorporate onions, apples, citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens into your meals to reap the benefits of this natural antihistamine. If you're wondering about the ideal quercetin dose for allergies, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs.
4. Local and Seasonal Produce:
Eating local, seasonal produce can not only support your community but also expose your body to small amounts of allergens, potentially helping to build tolerance over time. Plus, fresh, ripe produce is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your immune system.
5. Herbal Teas:
Sip on soothing herbal teas for inflammation like nettle, peppermint, ginger, chamomile, and ginger to help calm inflammation and ease allergy symptoms.
These teas can also provide hydration and comfort when you're feeling under the weather. Opt for herbal teas loose leaf for maximum freshness and flavor.
If you want something on-the-go, here are some tea brands I like and trust: Traditional Medicinals tea (breathe easy, organic nettle leaf, organic ginger with chamomile, organic echinacea plus) and Pukka (pukka three ginger tea, pukka detox tea).
If you live in Vancouver, you can easily find these tea brands at Whole Foods Market, Choices Market, Thrift Foods, and Superstore.
6. Probiotic-Rich Foods for Leaky Gut:
While not everyone with allergies or food sensitivities has leaky gut, it's becoming clear that there's a connection, and by addressing gut health, we can often help ease those symptoms.
Gut health plays a key role in immune function, so it's very important to keep those good gut bugs happy and thriving, especially if you're dealing with digestive issues after antibiotics such as leaky gut or any gastrointestinal discomfort.
Enjoy natural fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha to support a healthy balance of gut flora and modulate your immune response. These healthy foods are rich in probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health and overall well-being.
7. Hydration:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Proper hydration not only helps keep mucous membranes moist and supports the body's detoxification processes to alleviate allergy symptoms, but it also plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal digestion and immune function.
When you're dehydrated, your digestive system can become sluggish, leading to issues like constipation and bloating, which can exacerbate allergies and sensitivities. Additionally, dehydration weakens the immune system, making it less effective at fighting off allergens and other potential triggers.
By prioritizing hydration, you can help your body function more efficiently and better cope with environmental challenges, ultimately reducing the severity of allergy symptoms and improving overall well-being.
8. Avoid Mucus-Forming Foods:
Avoiding a certain group of foods such as dairy, wheat, and sugar is a good idea because they can make your body produce more mucus.
In dairy, a protein called casein can also be a problem. Wheat has gluten, which can make your gut inflamed, leading to more mucus. Sugar can cause inflammation all over your body, including in your respiratory system, making more mucus. Therefore, by staying away from these foods, you might feel less stuffy and healthier overall, especially during seasonal allergy times.
9. Support Your Liver Detox:
Spring liver detox is a great time to focus on supporting your body's natural detoxification processes, especially if you're dealing with seasonal allergies. Your liver plays a vital role in detoxifying harmful substances and metabolizing allergens.
That being said, try to incorporate liver-friendly foods like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), garlic, turmeric, and beets into your diet to support liver health.
Besides that, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and consider herbal teas or supplements like milk thistle, dandelion root, or burdock root to support liver detoxification.
As an added bonus, I'm excited to offer you a 3-day spring detox meal plan! This plan includes meal inspirations with foods that help your body detoxify naturally, such as a refreshing spring detox salad recipe and a rejuvenating detox smoothie cleanse recipe.
If you want to start working on your liver health, this 3-day spring detox meal plan may give you a great support to your wellness journey this spring.
Excited for you to discover more about healthy foods for liver support!
And if you're looking to reset your gut health or require personalized assistance on how you can support your gut or skin health while managing allergies or food sensitivities, don't hesitate to schedule a free discovery call with me.
During our call, we'll discuss your specific concerns and goals, and I'll provide personalized recommendations to help you thrive. As a leaky gut nutritionist, I specialize in addressing gut health issues and can guide you through a leaky gut protocol tailored to your needs.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This information is not meant to offer medical advice or replace the guidance and treatment provided by a healthcare practitioner. We recommend that all readers of this content seek advice from their qualified health professionals for any specific health inquiries.
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