Spring is now in the air with warmer weather we all love, beautiful flowers, and fresh fields of green grass.  But for hay fever sufferers, such a season brings with it watery eyes, frequent trips to the drug store and allergist and general misery.

      So what is an allergy?  An allergy is a condition in which there is hypersensitivity to various chemicals from our food, air or water.  Symptoms may be mild or severe and need not be limited to hives, itching, eczema or asthma.  Some may also have headaches, a feeling of anxiety or depression and even sleepiness.  Most allergies involve the immune system and an increase of serum IgE, an immunoglobulin. 

      Allergies to eggs, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, sulphites and pollen tend to provoke an immediate response, while those to milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus foods and artificial food colorings tend to be associated with a delayed reaction.   The latter may not be a true food allergy—mediated by the immune system—but ‘food intolerance.’   (For simplicity, this article will use ‘allergy’ throughout.)  Many folks with food intolerance may not even now they have such a condition.  They go merrily along not knowing that their eczema, headaches and even their obesity is due to some food they’re eating!  There may also be allergies to plastics, mold, dust, various drugs, fabrics, and a variety of household chemicals and food additives.  Not surprisingly, it will sometimes take some effort to figure out exactly to what a person is allergic!

      The goal for treating allergies naturally is to alleviate or lessen the underlying causes rather to simply mask the symptoms.  This article will briefly describe some natural treatments for allergies, hay fever and asthma as well as the advantage of acupuncture in alleviating symptoms.

 

Why Has the Incidence of Allergies Exploded in America?

 

      The incidence of allergy was approximately 15% in the 1950’s, 20% in the 70’s and currently an estimated 30-50 % of Americans has allergic symptoms!  The reason for this increase is not fully understood however, there are some factors that many believe are closely associated with it:

·        The nutrient depletion of our soil.  For example, while three nutrients are routinely added to our soil, (namely potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus), plants need some 40 nutrients to support their best health and…ours!  In preparation for her doctoral thesis, Virginia Worthington reviewed 41 studies comparing the nutritional value of commercially grown versus organic foods.  Consistent with the results of the famous 1994 Rutgers University study, most organically grown foods had significantly increases of both essential minerals and vitamins but a lower level of toxic heavy metals! 

·        Thousands of new (and old) chemicals in our environment.  These chemicals might be pesticides, household chemicals, mercury, synthetic food additives, fluorides and preservatives in our foods.  Even acid rain might be a culprit.  In addition, there are hundreds of new drugs, many of which put a strain on our detoxification systems. 

·        Genetically modified (GM) foods have become more and more common since 1996.  Current estimates are that up to 70 percent of processed foods contain at least one GM ingredient.  According to the FDA, Genetic modification may transfer new and unidentified proteins from one food to another, triggering allergic reactions!  The person eating the ‘offending food’ would have no way of knowing that a peanut gene was in their brazil nut!  This is not just conjecture.  For example, studies have shown that GM soybeans contain higher levels of known allergy provokers.  In GM potatoes, rats eating them suffered immune system damage along with numerous other problems. 

·        Overuse of antibiotics may worsen or even cause allergic symptoms by weakening the immune system and causing ‘leaky gut’ syndrome (LGS).  LGS occurs when partially digested proteins ‘leak’ through the intestinal mucosa triggering allergic symptoms.

 

      It is the cumulative effects of all these ‘onslaughts’—even if relatively harmless by themselves—that may severely tax our immune systems.  As a result, allergies may occur.  In addition, many children and adults suffer from low stomach acid.  This may be a result of dietary deficiencies, excess intake of junk food and soda.  As for soda consumption, with the average child consuming some 55 gallons of soda (per year), this is no small issue!

      There are many tests that can be done for allergies. 

      The most common is the ImG reaction test.  Some additional tests include elimination diets, pulse testing, Kinesiology and the ALCAT test.  “Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat” is a recent book (2002) that outlines the benefits of the ALCAT tests.

 

Steps You Can Take

 

      It would be important to eliminate whatever food/s or substances are causing your specific allergy.  If unsure, see a holistic doctor or allergy specialist familiar with natural medicine.

      Eliminate all junk food, refined carbohydrates such as white flour and white sugar, hydrogenated fats, coffee and artificial flavors, colors and preservatives.  Natural treatment of all allergies—especially asthma, require healthy levels of stomach acid.  This is done by eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and being certain to get plenty of B vitamins and vitamin C.  It would also require avoiding soda and junk food.  In addition, it is important to relax when you eat, chew your food thoroughly and not drink a lot of water, (or soda!) with your meals.  There is a lot being written on the importance of an ‘alkaline’ body; the stomach, however is the exception!  It is the stomach acid that is the first line of defense against potentially dangerous germs and bacteria and keeping this organ working properly is critical in fighting allergies of all kinds. 

      Studies have shown vegetarian diets to be enormously beneficial in eliminating allergy symptoms.  One study on 25 asthmatics showed 23 of them to receive significant improvement in their symptoms after following a vegetarian diet.  Part of this may be because of a much lower intake of a type of fat found in meat (arachidonic acid) that promotes inflammation.  Another important consideration is a much higher intake of live enzymes, vitamins and minerals.   

      Elimination diets are also beneficial in treating allergies.  There are several variations, but basically, the sufferer eliminates most foods and lives on rice, pears, millet and a few green vegetables.  Then slowly, every four days, a new food is re-introduced.  If no symptoms are produced, that food can remain in the diet.  Sometimes folks are allergic to those foods they consume in excess and taking a ‘break’ from the offending food/s is all that is necessary for success.  In other cases a strict vegetarian diet might have to be followed for four months. 

      It is important to realize that natural treatment of allergies will take time and effort.  However, the results are definitely worth it!

      Once the weather warms up, plan a 3-7 day cleanse or fast.  The cleanse would involve freshly made organic fruits and vegetable juices and water.  Alternatively, a fast may consist of just fresh lemon juice and filtered water to which trace mineral drops are added.  All fasts are broken slowly and with super healthy, unrefined foods.  Offending foods would be slowly re-introduced into one’s meal plan to gauge their reaction.  Of course, the way a fast is done depends upon whether or not a person is sensitive to the cold weather or not.  Most fasts over 4-7 days are done best during the early fall or early spring days.  Other fasts are fine as long as not over 7 days!   This depends on YOU and what you do for a living, your general exercise levels, etc.  Consult your holistic doctor or nutritionist for further details on this subject.

 

Nutritional Supplements, Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies

      There are several nutritional supplements and herbs that may be beneficial in helping the body overcome allergies.   For example, one Australian study showed asthma rates to be significantly lower in children consuming cold water fish, high in Omega 3 fats.   Aside from eating cold water fish such as Alaskan salmon, supplemental Omega 3 fats could come from fish oil capsules or one tablespoon of fresh flax seed oil.  Other good sources include soybeans, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and grass fed beef.  Also, some eggs have three times more Omega 3 fats than conventional eggs raised under factory farm conditions.  Additional supplements would include vitamin B-6, B-12, calcium, magnesium and the anti-oxidants beta-carotene, selenium and vitamin E.   To help promote favorable ‘intestinal flora’ (healthy bacteria), a good acidophilus product—a ‘probiotic’—should also be consumed.  Probiotics are also very beneficial in healing ‘leaky gut syndrome’!

      There are several herbal remedies that are beneficial in the treatment of allergies and asthma.  While these are readily available over the counter, for severe allergies, it is best to be under the care of the appropriate licensed professional. 

      Before it was banned in 2004, ephedra was probably the number one herbal treatment for asthma.  But the allergy sufferer need not despair—there are many additional herbs that have proven benefits.  These would include Chinese skullcap, liquorice, onions, garlic and green tea.  In patients with allergic conditions, IgE levels are typically 3 to 10 times above normal!  One herb that has been shown to inhibit this large production of allergic antibodies is known as Don Quai or Angelica sinensis.

      There are many over the counter homeopathic remedies for allergies and these can be labeled for their exact purpose.  There are those for dust and molds others for hayfever.  One popular product is Nelson’s Hayfever and Allergy.   However, for best results, especially if there are multiple allergies, seeing a licensed homeopath may bring better results.  Following the aforementioned advice would also be important.

 

Summary

 

      With these tools at your disposal, you—the allergy sufferer—might now look forward to Spring and Summer: Walking in that open field, playing Frisbee with your kids and, perhaps, picking some spring flowers.  If you also have allergies in the winter time (indoor mold, cats or dogs, perfumes, various foods, etc.) you need not despair!  Hope may be just a phone call away!