Immune system problems have been on the rise in recent years with asthma, hay fever, eczema, food allergies and similar maladies becoming more prolific. Many researchers suspect the increase has an explanation rooted in aspects of modern living, partly informed by the fact that the main increases are in highly developed countries in Europe and North America, with increases in other countries as they become more developed.
When the body produced an allergic reaction, the immune system is responding to substances that are ordinarily harmless (such as pollen or peanuts) as though it is a foreign invader. The immune system overreacts, giving rise to symptoms such as blocked or runny nose, itches, headache, sneezing and even asthma.
If you are one of the many now suffering from seasonal allergies, we recommend the following 6 steps:
1. Use a probiotic - in the form of a supplement, fermented food, or drink, "good" bacteria taken daily changes the immune system's response to grass pollen, a common cause of allergies. The live micro-organisms colonise the intestines - this is essential for not only proper digestion but also immune function. It could help balance antibody production, decreasing allergy symptoms.
2. Get dirty - we live in an increasingly sterile environment - pasturisation, antibiotics (prescription and in our food), hand sanitisers, surface sanitisers... all of these things kill the good bacteria as well as the bad. Since we are preventing normal exposure to bacteria and viruses, our bodies can come to produce excessive immune responses against routine things, resulting in allergies and autoimmune diseases. It is particularly important for an infant's immune system to be stimulated, for this and many other reasons.
3. Clean up your diet - give your immune system the support it needs and benefit from the natural anti-inflammatory effects of wholesome food. Start by eliminating sugary foods (including sugar, refined grains, processed foods, fruit juices etc.) and omega 6-heavy foods (vegetable oils, processed foods), while increasing intake of organic foods, vegetables and omega 3 fats (fish, flaxseeds, walnuts etc.) For some, pasteurised milk products may aggravate symptoms of hay fever so you might like to try cutting back or finding unpasturised milk.
4. Exercise - a large German study found that the rate of hay fever amongst sedentary individuals was more than double that of more active subjects - regardless of a number of other expected variables. Boost the hay fever combating benefits by exercising in the sun to generate vitamin D in your skin, which also supports proper immune function (amongst other things).
5. Source a local honey - it's a traditional complementary remedy but a 2011 study found that using a teaspoon of local honey daily resulted in a 60 percent reduction in symptoms, twice as many asymptomatic days, 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms and 50 percent decrease in usage of antihistamines when compared to the control group. In another study 16 out of 21 people reported improvements - so it's worth a go! (Remember though to compensate for this increase in sugar intake in the rest of your diet).
6. Try homeopathy - again, a complementary remedy with plenty of anecdotal evidence behind it... But did you know that a double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled study published in the British Medical Journal August 19, 2000 found that subjects using homeopathy enjoyed 28% better nasal airflow? It might not resolve the health complaint at its deepest level but it's risk-free and now proven.
* BONUS TIP! We've not tried this one but it was sent to us by a kinesiologist friend - give it a go and see if it works for you: tap ends of meridians: Bl1 bridge of nose; then Kid27 just below collarbone ends centre of chest; then St1 below mid-eyes; then Sp21 under armpits midline level with base of breasts . If you try this, let us know if it works for you!
info@theblueberryclinic.co.uk
Hay fever , also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergy reaction in the body that causes nasal airways to become inflamed.
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