I am allergic to dust and pollen. Is there anything I can do to improve my condition instead of taking anti-allergics? Anything that I should include or exclude in my diet?
- Ashish asked 4 years ago
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Allergies to dust, pollen or any food, etc means that your immune system is hyper reacting to that particular substance and considering it as harmful even though it is not. In response, the immune system produces an inflammatory response to your lungs and nasal passage. The body shows the signs of allergy by sneezing, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, etc. In worse cases signs of asthma, sinus infections, wheezing and breathing problems can be seen.
The body becomes hyper allergic or hyper Inflammatory due to the chronic consumption of unhealthy foods. Once the body is in a hyperallergic state then the only option to avoid allergies is to stay away from that particular substance.
Making good dietary choices can be of great help! A healthy diet always supports the body for controlling diseases including allergies. There are some foods and tips that offer allergy relief:
a) Avoid eating raw foods and sour foods at the height of allergy season.
b) Probiotics- They have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. You can get probiotics from dietary substances, kefir, miso, yogurt. They help to strengthen your immune system so that you are less prone to allergies.
c) Avoid alcohol, cakes, hazelnuts. These foods have high histamine levels and are pro-inflammatory. Histamine is a chemical compound that gets released when allergic reactions occur.
d) Garlic contains chemical compound quercetin that helps to control the level of histamine produced by the body and is anti-inflammatory. If you do not like garlic then you might replace it with peppers, berries, apples, onion, broccoli, and beans, they all have quercetin.
e) Pineapple contains bromelain (a compound helpful for allergic rhinitis) which helps in reducing the swelling and inflammation.
f) Sinus clearing spices- Fennel, mustard, ginger, turmeric, honey.
g) Include fruits, vegetables and nuts like strawberries, walnuts, mushrooms, apple, cocoa, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, chia seeds, honey, blueberries, avocados, kiwi, brussels sprouts, mango, red grapes, watermelon, papaya, cauliflower, black plums, flaxseeds, and tomatoes.
h) Green/ Herbal tea- they contain natural antihistamines.
i) Avoid ketchup, pickles and other oily and spicy foods when pollen counts are high as they create an outpouring of histamine.
j) Include freshwater fish in your diet as they have omega fatty acids which help you to build stamina and develop allergy resistance.
k) Avoid heavy cheese and curds at night. as they create phlegm
l) Lose weight if you have weight around the abdomen. This kind of weight is very harmful to asthma patients.
- Dr Shikha's Nutriwel Health answered 4 years ago
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