Functional Medicine Approach to Seasonal Allergies
The Functional Medicine Approach to Seasonal Allergies
by Mary Miller-Wilson ANP-BC
Sinus congestion, itchy eyes, sniffles, sneezing and a cough that just won’t quit are all reminders that Spring and Fall mean only one thing-allergies! Seasonal allergies, often called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, affect more than 50 million Americans and are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the United States.
WHAT CAUSES SEASONAL ALLERGIES?
Blooming plants, budding trees and shrubs, pollen and mold spores are out en masse during this time. Couple these seasonal offenders with the collection of environmental toxins and dust we encounter on a daily basis, and you have the perfect storm for an aggravated immune system and an increase in allergy symptoms.
When your body encounters foreign invaders from the outside environment, it triggers the body’s production of inflammatory molecules:
Histamine
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
These molecules are signaling agents that tell the immune system, MOUNT A RESPONSE, to eliminate the foreign substances. The immune system is complex and efficient, but it tends to put you in the crosshairs, resulting in allergy symptoms that can range from a runny nose to full-blown serious asthma attacks.
LEAKY GUT AND ALLERGIES
Approximately 70-80% of your immune system resides in your gut. The gut is like a training facility for your immune cells. It’s where they learn to differentiate friend from foe, and how to mount an appropriate response to invading pathogens-or anything it recognizes as harmful. A healthy diverse microbiome is key to improving the body’s response to seasonal allergens. Properly nourishing your gut with anti-inflammatory foods, introducing prebiotics and probiotics, digestive enzymes in some cases all improve gut health and are essential for a balanced immune system and balanced response.
TOP 6 TIPS FOR NATURAL ALLERGY RELIEF
Filter indoor air- one of the best ways to reduce indoor irritants is to filter air through a HEPA filter. Avoid artificial fragrances that come from cleaning products and air fresheners, and make sure air ducts are clean and free of debris.
Limit exposure- sometimes the best defense is reducing your exposure to the offending substances in the first place. Keep doors and windows closed during allergy season, and make sure you keep up with filter maintenance on your HVAC system.
Launder bedding and clothes- bedding and clothes can harbor dust, dander, pollen and other allergy triggers. Allergens can also “hitch a ride” on your clothing. Change clothing as soon as you get home to reduce allergens.
Heal a leaky gut- Having a healthy gut is your first line of defense against allergy symptoms.
Support immune function-research shows certain nutrients may help with allergic responses, such as quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc. These nutrient deficiencies can also deplete the natural production of glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant in the human body. Glutathione can be delivered orally or through IV therapy. A favorite allergy product of mine is Ortho-Molecular’s Natural D-Hist. It contains targeted flavonoids, antioxidants and botanicals including quercetin, bromelain, stinging nettles leaf and n-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
Clear nasal passages- because seasonal allergies are most frequently triggered by particles making their way into the body through the sinus passages, a Neti pot or a nasal spray with grapefruit seed extract and xylitol are safe and effective ways to flush the nasal passages and clear them of inflammatory allergens.
A Functional Medicine approach puts you in control of your seasonal allergies! Make your appointment today with Mary to work on feeling better this allergy season.
Yes, Diet Helps With Allergies Too!
by Lisa Mislevy MS, RD
You're probably tired of hearing about how important a healthy diet is, but here's just one more piece of evidence to support the cause. Your diet can effect allergies in a couple of ways:
Particular types of foods you're eating could trigger some type of immune response that may amplify environmental allergy responses
The foods you eat can cause gut inflammation which can contribute to your heightened response to allergies
Essentially, the two are related and one will effect the other, so both need to be addressed. There are typical foods that people react to, and it doesn't have to be a huge response like a person that has an IgE allergy to peanuts. Most reactions people have tend to be low-grade and the reactions themselves can present as allergies, rashes, persistent cough, GI issues, autoimmune diseases, brain fog, and so much more. You can identify particular foods that exacerbate your allergy symptoms by doing a simple elimination diet. Common foods eliminated for 21 days are:
Dairy
Gluten
Eggs
Soy
Corn
Peanuts
Sugar
Foods high in histamines
During this elimination phase, we wait to see if your allergy symptoms improve at all. Then we reintroduce each food individually to find out if your allergy symptoms return or not. Although this process is time consuming and inconvenient, it's the most accurate way (plus it's safe and free!) to learn which foods are connected to how you're feeling! If you would like help starting an elimination diet, call the office to make an appointment with Lisa, our functional RD!
Inadvertently, cleaning up your diet and identifying food intolerances will allow the gut to heal, which will lead to even more relief from allergies. The majority of your immune system is in your gut, so it really does make sense to eat clean and heal the gut if you want to work on the root cause of your suffering :)
IV Nutrition Therapy for Seasonal Allergies
by Alice Goodall, RN, BSN, Master Herbalist
Seasonal allergies and irritants create inflammation in the body, which results in the stuffy nose and redness we associate with allergies. The VIP immune booster IV contains essential minerals and vitamins that contain anti-inflammatory properties. It's made up of:
B12: Stress uses up the body’s internal supply for vitamin B, which can further exacerbate symptoms. Studies on B12 have suggested that it can reduce allergy symptoms, specifically sneezing, congestion, and runny noses.
B-Complex: B complex, specifically B6, which is also known as folate, helps regulate inflammation to suppress allergy symptoms and decrease the severity of an allergy attack. In one study, it was shown to lessen throat constriction and reduce mucus buildup in the nose.
Magnesium: Magnesium is a magic mineral that is a natural antihistamine and helps relieve contracted airways to the lungs. Its calming effect relaxes the body and the bronchial tube and lowers histamine release.
Selenium: Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from stress and can help regulate inflammation in the body.
Vitamin C: It is another natural antihistamine, and it can stop the body from releasing histamine and make it break down faster in the body once it is already released.
Saline- this dilutes the histamine load in the body which is related to inflammation and allergy symptomology.
During your IV treatment you will also enjoy the FREE BEMER physical Vascular therapy, that will distribute and enhance all the nutrients to every cell in your body.
If you need help on any of the above topics, give us a call at 313-290-2250 to set up your appointment today!
Visit our website at www.inmmed.com to learn more about our services.
Thank you for reading,
Dr. Shah and team