Ah, spring and summer—times of vibrant blooms and sunny days!
But for some, it also means allergies are in full swing. The flowers may be beautiful, but pollen fills the air, triggering sneezes and sniffles.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you're definitely not alone. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, affects millions of people each year. It's when your immune system kicks into overdrive because of pollen in the spring and summer, or mold spores in the fall and winter.
When allergies hit, they come with a whole host of not-so-fun symptoms: itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing fits, headaches, and even fatigue or joint pain. It's all because your immune system is super-sensitive. That's why it's crucial to take steps to support and regulate your immune system. Doing so can help ease those uncomfortable symptoms and get you back to enjoying the season!
So how does what we eat play a role in how bad our seasonal allergy symptoms may be?
Did you know that what we eat can affect how our bodies handle seasonal allergies? Some experts think there's a link between food sensitivities and allergies. They say that certain foods can help our immune system stay strong, while others might make it work harder. It's like our immune system can get overloaded sometimes!
Sometimes, our bodies get a little too sensitive and react strongly to things that are harmless, like pollen or pet dander. When this happens, our immune system goes into overdrive, releasing chemicals like histamines that cause those pesky allergy symptoms. But don't worry, what we eat can help! Eating the right foods can help calm down the inflammation in our airways and even prevent allergic reactions that might make allergies and asthma worse.
Food allergies or intolerances are pretty common, but they can be sneaky! You might not even realize you have them until something else triggers them, like pollen or dust, or when life gets a bit stressful with things like not eating well or not getting enough sleep. That's when these hidden allergies might pop up and make themselves known.
When our bodies have to deal with lots of "invaders" like allergens and other things that stress us out, our immune system gets really busy trying to protect us. But sometimes, it gets overwhelmed, and that's when we start feeling not-so-great. Besides food allergies, there are also some tricky chemicals in our food that our bodies struggle to handle. This just adds to the workload for our immune system, making things even more challenging.
Concomitant allergies happen when certain foods trigger reactions along with other allergens like pollen, dust, or mold. It's like when certain plants have food allergies too. For example, eating grains like wheat while ragweed is in full swing can make you feel all sneezy and itchy. And get this—those food reactions can even happen up to six weeks after pollen season ends!
What can we do to minimize the allergic response?
Let's start by cleaning up our eating habits! Try to cut back on foods that might make inflammation worse, like fatty meats and dairy products, as well as sugary treats and foods made with white flour.
To help everyone feel better and lessen the chances of allergies acting up, keep an eye out for foods that could be causing trouble. Some usual suspects include dairy, corn, wheat, soy, peanuts, citrus fruits, nuts, and shellfish. By cutting back on these troublemakers, we can give our immune system a break and help it do its job of handling allergens more easily.
Let's add some tasty and healthy foods to our meals that are packed with these powerhouse nutrients to really help with managing seasonal allergies for the whole family:
Bioflavonoids, like quercetin, can help ease allergies by acting like natural antihistamines and reducing inflammation. You can find this helpful nutrient in foods such as apples, berries, red grapes, red onions, and black tea.
Vitamin C, also a natural antihistamine, is abundant in foods such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables.
Mixed carotenoids reduce inflammation and aid in reducing allergic response. They are found naturally in red, yellow and dark green fruits and vegetables.
Omega-3 fats, which are found in fish oil, nuts, and seeds, can help reduce inflammation in the airways.
Spicy foods, including cayenne pepper and ginger, thin mucus secretions and clear nasal passages.
Increasing fiber intake helps keep the colon healthy and active, which can reduce food sensitivities and ease the load on the immune system. This can make seasonal allergies less bothersome.
Drinking clean water—about half your body weight in ounces each day—can help thin mucus and keep mucous membranes hydrated.
Maintaining healthy eating habits and addressing potential food allergies are important for managing seasonal allergies. A holistic approach not only helps reduce allergy symptoms but also addresses the root cause of an overactive immune system.
Many people find that avoiding food intolerances and reducing processed foods can significantly improve their environmental allergy symptoms. This makes enjoying the season so much easier.
All blog content shared through HealthSmart! Kids is for informational purposes only and not to be construed as medical advice. Always talk with your qualified health care provider for managing your health care needs.
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