With the welcome arrival of Spring, many people are coming in for help with issues related to allergies. Let’s talk about the underlying issues that can cause you to be more sensitive and to have bigger allergic reactions to pollens, dust, trees, weeds, molds, pets, foods, etc.
I like being able to share perspectives that get you thinking about hidden root causes that keep you stuck in a particular health struggle. The most common allergy symptoms my patients are reporting are itchy watering eyes, runny nose or stuffy nose, itching skin, poor ability to take deep breaths or maintain exercise endurance. Of course, we can always take allergy meds, inhalers, eye drops, skin creams to try and tamp back the super uncomfortable symptoms of allergies but I’d rather get you thinking about the big picture and how to correct an imbalance that can be affecting your overall health beyond your allergic reactions.
Once we help you identify the top underlying issues that can be causing your allergy/ asthma symptoms, we can share some tips for reducing your struggles while you work through clearing the root causes and free yourself from the loop you may be stuck in with your recurring allergic reactions.
Some general factoids…
- between 1994 and 2001 — the same time that GMO’s (genetically modified foods) flooded the market – food/allergy related illnesses DOUBLED.
- Rise in food sensitivities
- Rise in cases of Eczema
- Rise in Sinus/Lung related illnesses
- As society in general becomes more “sterile” (over cleaning things, using too much bleach), our immune systems have become increasingly unable to differentiate between real threats and harmless things like pollen and dust.
- Meanwhile, you’re exposed to antibiotics (your own or those given to farm animals) and pasteurized foods, which contain none of the bad or good bacteria that were once part of everyday life and helped stimulate robust immune function.
- Spike proteins from covid and the covid vaccines have also had an inflammatory affect for many people. There are protocols for clearing the spike proteins and many folks dealing with chronic inflammation (poor immune function, allergies, gut issues, brain fog, joint pain, headaches) may not realize they have a bit more work to do for clearing these inflammatory proteins.
What is happening when you have an allergic reaction to something?
- Allergies are your body’s reaction to allergens (particles your body considers foreign)
- The first time your body encounters an allergen or foreign particle, your immune cells release IgE (immunoglobulin E), an antibody specific to that allergen or foreign particle (this antibody will be ready to go after the same allergen if you bump into it again).
- The IgE antibody attaches to the surface of your mast immune cells and creates an increase in inflammation and allergic reaction. This is a helpful immune response unless it is an overreaction. Then inflammation is out of balance and causes your allergy symptoms.
- The second time your body encounters that same allergen, within a few moments the mast cells become activated and trigger the inflammation and cascade of symptoms you associate with allergies: sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, hacky cough, itchy eyes, etc.
What are a few of the Hidden Issues Causing the Rise in Allergic Reactions
- Environmental toxins (environmental chemicals/metals)
- GMO foods (not labeled!)
- Airborne fungal spores released from mold
- EMF exposure (Electro Magnetic Field)
- Gut microbiome imbalances.
- Chlorine exposure (pools/hot tubs/un filtered drinking water…. Includes bathing~)
Some of the most allergenic foods include…
- Pasteurized dairy
- Soy
- Wheat (gluten)
- Sugar
- Certain nuts and seeds in excess
If your gut health is out of balance, this will challenge your other detox organs (liver, lungs, kidneys and skin) which creates a low-grade chronic toxicity increasing inflammation and weakening your immune system. With elevated inflammation and imbalanced immune system, you don’t have what you need for a normal response to allergens. You will be more likely to have over reactions leading to your allergy symptoms.
What Can You Do?
You can start by beginning a simple food journal and take inventory on how your food flow is going. Are you getting too much sugar, dairy, processed foods like breads, pastas, pizza etc. Are you drinking enough filtered water? (half your body weight in ounces per day). Also, are you getting enough of the foods that help you reduce inflammation and support your gut microbiome? One more thing~ Sleep… getting enough restorative sleep (7-8 hours usually).
Your plan may include avoiding sugar, fruit juices, most grains, pasteurized dairy products, and wheat (gluten).
– Starchy carbohydrates break to sugar easily
– Sugars weaken your good bacteria
– Sugars feed your harmful bacteria and yeasts
– This results in inflammation, sinus/lung congestion
– Weakened immune function – exaggerated histamine reactions
Making sure you’re getting enough high-quality omega-3 fats
- Cell walls are made up of this fatty acid
- Fat deficiency (not getting enough fat or not digesting it well) can cause cell walls of the gut lining to be less healthy and lead to leaky gut issues
- Leaky gut increases inflammation and upper respiratory allergic reactions
- Leaky gut increases congested sinuses and lungs
Where to get high-quality Omega-3 fats ?
– Egg yolk
– Organic/pasture raised butter
– Olive oil, flax seed oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, fish oil
– Chicken, Fish, Beef, Turkey (clean organic farms)
– Avocado, walnuts, pecans, almonds
– Avoid Canola and Vegetable oils! (in pre-made dressings and processed foods)
Recover the “good bacteria” in your gut
– Probiotic supplements (temporary fix)
– Fermented foods – sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, kombucha, kefir
– Increase fiber (helps acidify gut) – oats, leeks, onions, garlic, broccoli, brussels sprouts, oats, flax, chia seeds
– Reduce killing them! Over the counter and prescription meds/antibiotics, sugar, processed foods
Add Bitter Foods / Herbs
Garlic, Ginger, Cayenne, Oregano, Arugula, bitters tinctures
– Assists glucose metabolism
– Assists hunger control
– Balance blood sugars
– Reduces inflammation
– Reduces yeast/ harmful bacteria
What may be missing from your plan?
IDENTIFYING…
- Hidden toxicities (metal/chemical)
- Hidden food sensitivities
- Hidden low grade underlying immune/gut microbiome challenges
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Scar Tissue – scars can interfere with lymph movement and cause inflammation in the area or imbalances in organs and glands due to acupuncture meridian where scar is happening. (this can include tattoos, dental extractions, surgery scars, injuries that needed stitches)
Building a clinically specific plan of action, specific to you
- Clear Toxins
- Increase lymph movement and circulation
- Recover your healthy gut microbiome
- Treat Scar Tissues
- Reduce inflammation and over reaction to allergens
- Increase strength and balance of your immune system
Try to include these anti-inflammatory foods (maybe some juicing once per day) for reducing your allergy/asthma symptoms
- Carrots
- Celery
- Beets
- Cucumber
- Kiwi
- Dark leafy greens
- Berries
Common helpful anti-inflammatory nutrients and herbs (this is not health advice ~ you should check in with us or your other doctors if you want to add any of the following supports)
- Milk Thistle – thins the bile of the liver – better fat digestion
- Quercetin – antioxidant and increases anti-viral properties of zinc
- Vitamin D3 – supports balanced immune response
- NAC helps liver detoxification
- Vitamin A and C for circulation and healthy lungs and sinus tissues
- Allegco from Mediherb – great blend of herbs including black cumin seed – reduces histamine reactions
- Allerplex and/or Antronex from Standard Process – keep sinus and lungs tissues healthy
- Cyruta or Cyruta Plus, Cataplex ACP – healthy circulation and controls inflammation of sinuses and lungs
- Fish oil and other Omega 3 oils – reduces inflammation keeps eyes and sinuses from being too dry
BONUS – Check out our Accelerated Allergy Clearing Technique for Reducing your Allergic reactions.
Add an Accelerated Allergy Clearing Technique to your muscle testing session for $25 during the months of April and May (normally $35).
The Accelerated Allergy Clearing Technique (AACT) is a functional health method used to identify allergens (through muscle testing) that cause your excess allergy reactions. Once we have identified the culprits we then use a cold laser technique, acupressure tapping and breath work to desensitize your nervous system and your immune system to the allergens. Once cleared, you will have a more regulated response to these allergens and reduced allergy symptoms. (Great technique! Highly effective ~ Does not replace hydration, healthy foods and tending to your gut microbiome 😊)
