Natural Support | Allergies
Pollen is at some of the highest levels here in the Pacific Northwest and over the last couple of years allergy symptoms have shown to be a very prominent symptom for many of my patients, as well as my 5 year old son. The itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and congestion are often the primary symptoms, but along with those often comes an increase in anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability and brain fog.
There are many ways to help support allergies, the primary way is looking deeper at possible imbalances in the body. We know that each person’s individual susceptibility to symptoms of hay fever is varied but there is some connection with a balanced immune system and how it is triggered. Here’s a brief discussion on one of the ways allergies are triggered in out immune system.
The allergy response by the body is mediated by Th2 (T-helper 2) cells. It has been postulated the Th2 and Th2 (T-helper 1) cells work to find a balance with how they are signaled. Th1 cells are what is triggered in the body to fight off an invader like an infection or virus. Th2 cells are triggered in the presence of an allergen or parasite.
If the body is signaling a constant Th1 state, that can be great at preventing frequent colds/infections but has also been connected, in part, to autoimmune conditions.
If the body is signaling a Th2 response, one might be more susceptible to infections, but also more sensitive to allergic expressions.
One thing we can do is look deeper into symptoms to see if there is an imbalance in the Th balance and work to treat that underlying cause. The other thing we can look at is how to support allergy symptoms.
** Most of these recommendations are safe if you’re trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding. Look for the ** to know what to avoid. And always check with your provider before starting something new.
Nutrition Recommendations:
Consider limiting foods high in histamine as that can contribute to your body’s overall histamine load and increase sensitivity to seasonal triggers. This is definitely not an extensive list, but some foods listed below:
Alcohol
Aged cheese, meats
Citrus
Fermented foods
Leftovers
Lifestyle Support:
Avoid areas with high pollen or recent grass cutting.
Wash hands, face or take a shower as soon as you come in from outside. Put on clean clothes.
Avoid foods that you know are triggers for you. This may be triggers for GI discomfort, skin rashes, mood symptoms or other. Any food you know creates symptoms for you may be causing some allergic type reaction in your body, increasing the systemic immune and allergic response.
Caution with excess dairy consumption as dairy can contribute to mucus production and may worsen congestion.
Keep windows closed in your home when you know pollen counts are high.
Keep your HEPA filter running, especially in your bedroom while you sleep.
Herbal Options:
Nettles (urtica urens/dioica): drink 2-3 cups of dried nettles tea daily. Nettles tea is very nutritive, is immune modulating and helps decrease respiratory allergic symptoms.
Supplemental Options:
Quercetin **: this is a common pigment extracted from many herbs and plant foods and is a potent anti-inflammatory that can also increase immune function in the mucus membranes. Our nasal passageways are one of the main highways that pollen enters the body and quercetin works great at decreasing that effect. **not recommended in pregnancy.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC): this is an amino acid that helps decrease congestion, mucus and is a potent anti-inflammatory. Within the mucus membranes, NAC helps reduce nasal inflammatory pathways.
Probiotics: A healthy gut microbiome is able to modulate allergy symptoms in many ways. Part of this has to do with the above mentioned Th immune reactions, but there are many other ways a healthy and robust GI system can alleviate seasonal allergies. Strains of bacteria with the most research are: lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains have been those most studied to help balance the immune system and decrease allergy symptoms. There is also amazing research demonstrating a decrease in allergic tendencies for offspring whose mothers take a probiotic/have a diverse microbiome.
Methylcobalamin (B12) & Methylfolate (B9): These vitamins are required in the biochemical breakdown of histamine. If you are methyl sensitive, ask your provider for other options. If you don’t know your MTHFR status or DAO genetic status, consider testing.
Vitamin C: As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C can help modulate inflammatory reactions seen in allergic rhinitis.
*As always, these are general recommendations, not individual. If you’re interested in trying any of the above solutions to seasonal allergies, consult with your own medical provider.
Resources:
Thornhill SM, Kelly AM. Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(5):448–454.
Guibas GV, Spandou E, Meditskou S, Vyzantiadis TA, Priftis KN, Anogianakis G. N-acetylcysteine exerts therapeutic action in a rat model of allergic rhinitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013;3(7):543–549. doi:10.1002/alr.21145
Güvenç IA, Muluk NB, Mutlu FŞ, et al. Do probiotics have a role in the treatment of allergic rhinitis? A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2016;30(5):157–175. doi:10.2500/ajra.2016.30.4354
Choi SP, Oh HN, Choi CY, et al. Oral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 and CJLP243 alleviates birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in mice. J Appl Microbiol. 2018;124(3):821–828. doi:10.1111/jam.13635
Kim WG, Kang GD, Kim HI, Han MJ, Kim DH. Bifidobacterium longum IM55 and Lactobacillus plantarum IM76 alleviate allergic rhinitis in mice by restoring Th2/Treg imbalance and gut microbiota disturbance. Benef Microbes. 2019;10(1):55–67. doi:10.3920/BM2017.0146
Seo JH, Kwon SO, Lee SY, et al. Association of antioxidants with allergic rhinitis in children from seoul. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2013;5(2):81–87. doi:10.4168/aair.2013.5.2.81