|
|
|
Home > Newsletter Archive > Seasonal Allergies News
|
| |
|
|
|
Seasonal Allergy Update
Have you been going about your days with
sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes?
The good news: it is not swine flu! The bad
news: we are experiencing higher than
usual pollen counts this year...
Seasonal allergies, or "hay fever," occur at
specific times of the year, depending upon
the individual's sensitivities. In many areas
of the U.S., those suffering in the
springtime are usually allergic to tree
pollen. The most common culprits include oak,
elm, maple, alder, birch, juniper, and olive.
In early summer, grass pollens are usually
the source of seasonal allergies; in the late
summer, it is usually ragweed.
The good news is that there is a lot that you
can do to reduce your exposure to pollen, as
well as to minimize the reaction that you
have to it. We hope you find the following
article helpful- it outlines updated
information about how you can feel better- today!
Seasonal Allergy Update
Foods To Avoid in Allergy Season
by Cora Rivard, N.D.
Did you know that eating certain foods may
aggravate
your seasonal allergy symptoms? This is because
certain foods can cross-react with the same
immune
responses which react to certain types of pollen
(especially birch, cedar, and ragweed).
People with seasonal allergies may find some
relief by avoiding certain common foods while
their allergies are most active (it is not
necessary to
avoid them during the rest of the year):
If you suspect you have a birch tree pollen
allergy, try avoiding the following: almonds,
apples, apricots, carrots, celery, cherries,
coriander, fennel, hazelnuts, kiwi, lychee
fruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips,
peaches, pears, peppers, persimmon, plums,
potatoes, prunes, soy, wheat, zucchini, walnuts.
For grass pollen allergy: celery, watermelon,
oranges, peaches, tomatoes Ragweed pollen
Bananas, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe,
honeydew), gourd family (cucumber, zucchini
and squash), chamomile, echinacea, sunflower
seeds, zucchini
For alder pollen allergy: celery, pears,
apples, almonds, cherries, hazelnuts,
peaches, parsley
For mugwort pollen allergy: celery, fennel,
carrots, parsley, coriander, sunflower, peppers
It may also be a good idea to avoid using
teas or other natural supplements which
contain echinacea or chamomile during that
time, as both of these plants are related to
the plants in the ragweed family.
Other foods to avoid in excess are ones
which contain a large proportion of a certain
type of fatty acid: omega-6, known as
linoleic acid (not to be confused with
omega-3/ALA or alpha-linolenic acid.) While
consumption of both varieties is essential to
human health, the diet in the U.S. tends to
be relatively high in omega-6, in relation to
omega-3, an imbalance that has been
implicated in causing inflammation and
far-reaching consequences in many types of
chronic diseases. Oils high in the omega-6's
include many of the vegetable oils used for
high heat cooking or frying, such as corn,
soybean, safflower, and sunflower oils. It is
therefore a good idea to avoid fried foods,
bakery goods (such as donuts, pastries, and
cakes), and fast foods. Studies have not yet
illuminated whether using omega-3's, such as
fish oils, can directly reduce allergy
symptoms, but they have repeatedly shown the
adverse effects of a diet excessive in
omega-6 foods.
So what else can you do to help reduce the
symptoms of seasonal allergies? It is always
a good idea to reduce your exposure to
pollens as much as possible. One way is to
avoid exercising outside in the early morning
hours, when many plants tend to release their
pollen. Pollen counts are usually lower on
cool or rainy days and higher on warm, sunny
days, particularly the first sunny day after
it has been rainy.
It is also a good idea to launder your
sheets and clothing frequently with hot water
and use an extra rinse cycle.
Some people report relief with using a saline
rinse, either commercially prepared or with a
neti pot, to rinse out the pollen and reduce
irritation to the lining of the nasal passages.
Reference
1. Inomata, N., et al. "Oral allergy
syndrome due to plant-derived foods: a
clinical review of 63 patients over a period
of 6 years." Aerugi (Japanese Journal of
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology). 2007,
56(10):1276-84
2. Gall, H., et al. "Kiwi fruit allergy: a
new birch pollen-associated food
allergy."Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology. 1994, July(1):70-6
Featured Products For Seasonal Allergies
At Rockwell Nutrition, we have a choice of
products which may help to relieve the
annoyance of seasonal allergies.
Please visit our section on Seasonal Allergies.
Rockwell Nutrition's goal is to provide you
and your loved ones with valuable information
so that you may prosper in life.
We provide licensed health care
practitioners to advise you best on your
supplement choices and research based,
pharmaceutical supplements to empower you
in your health and life path.
Please let us know what other topics you
would like to know more about.
|
|
|
Category
