Pollen Patterns and your Allergies

What’s a person to do when they love the outdoors yet suffer so seasonal allergies so miserably?  

Your pollen pattern release is outlined below with some tried and true recommendations for those who refuse to take the typical over the counter medications that so frequently cause drowsiness and other undesirable side effects.  

Spring

In the first weeks of spring, trees such as elm, maple, and birch release their pollen; followed by ash, sycamore and oak.

Late spring/summer

Later in the spring and summer, grass pollens spread into the air, often starting in early May and lasting through mid-July. Various weeds also begin to pollinate in the spring.

Late summer/fall

In late summer and fall, most weeds (like ragweed) produce their pollen, a process that may continue until the first frost. Molds are usually present in the fall, when leaves are decaying

Begin your anti-allergy diet by practicing an anti-inflammatory diet. 

Helpful Supplementation:

Quercetin, Bromelain, Vitamin C, Nettle.  These can frequently be found in a proprietory combination blend at your health food store.

Local Bee Pollen, Raw Local Honey.  (Pasteurization destroys the beneficial compounds)

The use of a Neti Pot has shown to be beneficial.

Avoid histamine containing foods.  Some of the most tasteful food is high in histamine. 

High histamine levels however, can cause headaches, runny nose, sneezing, stomach aches/cramps and flushing skin.

 

What is Histamine?

In an allergic response, an allergen stimulates the release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells.  When histamine is present, symptoms occur such as itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, cough, congestion, etc.

These foods include:

Histamine-Rich Foods (including fermented foods):

·         Alcoholic beverages, especially beer and wine.

·         Anchovies

·         Avocados

·         Cheeses, especially aged or fermented cheese, such as parmesan, blue and Roquefort.

·         Cider and home-made root beer.

·         Dried fruits such as apricots, dates, prunes, figs and raisins (you may be able to eat these fruits - without reaction - if the fruit is thoroughly washed).

·         Eggplant

·         Fermented foods, such as pickled or smoked meats, sauerkraut, etc.

·         Mackerel

·         Mushrooms

·         Processed meats - sausage, hot dogs, salami, etc.

·         Sardines

·         Smoked fish - herring, sardines, etc.

·         Sour cream, sour milk, buttermilk, yogurt - especially if not fresh.

·         Soured breads, such as pumpernickel, coffee cakes and other foods made with large amounts of yeast.

·         Spinach, tomatoes

·         Vinegar or vinegar-containing foods, such as mayonnaise, salad dressing, ketchup, chili sauce, pickles, pickled beets, relishes, olives.

·         Yogurt

Histamine-Releasing Foods:

·         Alcohol

·         Bananas

·         Chocolate

·         Eggs

·         Fish

·         Milk

·         Papayas

·         Pineapple

·         Shellfish

·         Strawberries

·         Tomatoes

While these recommendations might seem restrictive, my clients are amazed at how good they feel with these non-invasive changes to diet and supplement regimen.

What do you have to lose?