Seasonal Allergies – Stop the Sneezing and Start Sunbathing! Spring and summer are seasons that bring so much joy to us in Canada, especially this year (if spring decides to make it’s appearance!). However, considering more than 1 in 6 Canadians suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, it can put a damper on the otherwise great weather. Environment Canada is warning Canadians of a particularly tough year for those who suffer, based on the weather patterns. This year, rather than retreating to air-conditioned rooms with daily antihistamines, support your body naturally and enjoy the outdoors. We’re waiting long enough for warm weather, lets enjoy it when it’s here!
- CLEAN UP. I don’t mean spring cleaning your garage or home… I’m talking about your diet. Eliminate sugar, pop, preservatives, additives, dyes and other “non-food” items. Probably the most challenging is to reduce your intake of dairy. Dairy is mucous-forming in nature, and is a very common allergen. This is nothing to sneeze at (pun intended!), I know it’s tough, but improved health awaits!
Digestive System and Allergy Connection: Allergies are signs of inflammation…think redness, swelling, itching. In order to eliminate this response, you have to rid the inflammation and hyper-reactivity of your immune system. Our digestive system interacts with the outside world (food, allergens, bacteria, etc) and our bloodstream. Stomach acid breaks down proteins and barrier cells in our intestines prevents these proteins from entering our bloodstream. Healthy bacteria in our digestive tract and specialized immune cells help break down proteins and other compounds that can cause gut and systemic inflammation. Taking acid-blocking medication for reflux reduces your first line defense (stomach acid), chronic exposure to foods that irritate your gut, or an imbalance of healthy gut flora (health bacteria), can all weaken the intestinal barrier and you can develop leaky gut. When these proteins enter your bloodstream, your immune system is triggered and alerted to react to many other triggers, including in your environment. Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about doing an Elimination Diet or Food Sensitivity Test to discover which foods may be causing inflammation in your body.
- SUPPORT YOUR GUT. Supply you body with healthy bacteria, probiotics, to support balance within your digestive tract. It’s important to get a professional line probiotic.
- SIMPLE SUPPLEMENTS. Depending on your body and your symptoms, your Naturopathic Doctor can decide which supplements are best for you. DGL licorice, tumeric, zinc, fish oils, L-Glutamine powder, vitamin C, quercetin and stinging nettle are all helpful for various intestinal healing properties and natural antihistamine support. An individualized approach is always better than taking handfuls of potentially unnecessary supplements.
- ACUPUNCTURE. Acupuncture can provide great relief during the allergy season to boost your immune system and relieve lingering symptoms while working on the root cause. This is a great treatment option in conjunction to diet and correct supplementation.
Happy Spring! Now let’s get out there and enjoy. In Health, Dr. Karen