Its Allergy Season!!

That dreaded time of year when red eyes and sneezing plague millions in North America. Let's face it - allergies are uncomfortable! For some people who already have respiratory disorders such as asthma or emphysema they can even be dangerous. Taking over-the-counter anti-histamines can help in a pinch, but they generally just mask the problem. There are several things you can do naturally to alleviate your allergies:

1. Inflammation is at the heart of allergy symptoms - think runny nose and itchy red eyes. Eliminating foods that might be causing inflammation in the body is key! For most people these are foods such as dairy, wheat, sugar, and ingredients in processed foods. Many people have additional food sensitivities above and beyond this list, and these can be determined through a simple blood test. Come on into our office and we'll help you determine your individual food sensitivities that might be causing inflammation in your body. (As an aside - food sensitivities can also contribute to weight gain, mood, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, and the list goes on!)

2. Eat more anti-inflammatory foods such as Omega 3's from fish, leafy greens, turmeric, green tea, mushrooms, berries and coconut oil. Eating a diet consisting of whole foods will give your body the nutrients it needs to function at its best.

3. See your ND for a prescription for natural anti-histamines. Yes you heard me right! There are several natural compounds and botanicals that have been proven to reduce histamine production in your body. These can be incredibly helpful to take during allergy season.

4. Stay hydrated! It has been shown in animal studies that histamine will decrease with water intake and increase with dehydration. Water also helps to keep your nasal passages hydrated, so that your body produces less mucus. Upping your water intake can help alleviate allergies and asthma.

To get an individualized plan to address your allergies, book an appointment with me by clicking here.

Have a wonderful August!

Dr. Chelsea Derry, BSc, ND

Naturopathic Doctor