Spring is just around the corner. This can be seen by all the wonderful flowers starting to bloom and the vibrant green hillsides. However if you are one of the millions that suffer from seasonal allergies, the return of Spring is not as welcomed of an event. To help reduce your suffering from allergies this year it is best to get started before the pollen is in full swing to give your system a fighting chance.
Besides reducing our exposure to allergens the best thing we can do to limit our suffering is to improve our body”’’s ability to handle allergic exposures. Here are some simple ways to help balance your immune response.
Digestion
The digestive system contains 78% of our immune cells. Incomplete digestion of food, increased intestinal permeability and food sensitivities can place a burden on our immune system.
o Improve your digestion by eating slowly in a relaxed environment and chew your food really well.
o Be conscious of any foods or chemicals that may be irritating to your system and avoid them as much as possible.
o Probiotics and digestive enzymes could also help the gut digest better and therefore reduce the strain on the immune system
Hydration
Adequate hydration plays a role in proper immune function. Getting an average of 2 quarts a day is recommended and it doesn””t have to come just from water. Any decaffeinated fluid, including soups and smoothies, will count toward your hydration needs for the day.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Focus on foods that decrease inflammation in the body, thereby tempering the immune response. Because this is such an interesting area of nutrition science I will devote a future article to cover this topic in more detail. For now, these suggestions will get you started on an anti-inflammatory diet.
o Fruits, vegetables, and omega 3 fats (found in fish, flax, walnuts, canola oil and dark green veggies) will be your best defense against inflammation.
o A variety of culinary spices and herbs are also anti-inflammatory.
o Foods rich in omega 9 oils (olive oil, avocados, almonds) will also help squelch inflammation.
Herbal Support – Drink Nettles Tea
Stinging nettles are not only rich in minerals, like iron and calcium, but it is a fabulous herb for seasonal allergies.
Nettles Infusion
1 quart room temperature water
4 tablespoons dried nettles
Let the nettles and water sit over night in a quart glass mason jar. In the morning strain the herb out and drink the quart of nettles infusion over the next two days.
Nutrition Consultations are available at Synergy+ with Dionne Detraz, RD.
Contact Dionne directly to schedule an appointment at 415-250-0567 or dionnedetraz@comcast.net.