Allergy season will soon be upon us. Are you one of the many that suffer with allergy symptoms during the early spring and fall?  As soon as the pollen or ragweed is out you probably reach for a Benadryl or some other kind of anti-allergy pill to avoid the onslaught of symptoms such as itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing and congestion.  Unfortunately, the effects of the medicine eventually wear off and then you have to take another. What a crazy merry-go-round! But what are you to do when you need that antihistamine to be able to function throughout the day! The problem is that many of us only think in terms of immediate relief, when we should be thinking ahead about how to resolve the overall health issue.

The first step in addressing the ongoing occurrence of allergies is to realize the source of the affliction which is histamine. Histamine is a natural chemical that our cells release to eliminate allergens from our system. When regulated it works as a defense mechanism to protect our system from toxicity. However, when histamine levels are elevated this causes an excessive amount of inflammation which can lead to hay fever, asthma and other respiratory complications.  Although allergy medications are helpful in relieving the symptoms that high histamine levels can cause, they often bring side effects such as sleepiness and lack of focus which can make it unsafe to drive. Moreover, long term regular use of antihistamines can lead to further health problems such as increased blood pressure and elevated heart rate. Rather than just treating the symptoms with anti-allergy medicine, why not consider your body’s overall nutritional needs?

The best, most proactive approach to dealing with allergy afflictions is to think about what you are putting in your body. A healthy diet is certainly an important consideration because we can control the level of histamines in our body by simply eating food that is anti-inflammatory rather than food that will only aggravate these ailments.

Foods that are beneficial for preventing the overabundance of histamine are mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are high in Vitamin C and E. Produce like citrus fruits, broccoli, cauliflower and berries have anti-oxidant properties that counter inflammation. In addition, foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and bioflavonoids are good in decreasing the cells that react to allergens. Those are apples, onions, tea, grapefruit, okra, cashews, bran, kelp, salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds. If you can help it, avoid aged, preserved and processed foods, along with alcohol and caffeine. They are irritants which only add to the severity of allergic reactions. In addition, reduce the amount of dairy you consume since it is a major allergen which can only aggravate your condition further. Another way to keep allergies in check is to eat probiotic foods that work to balance the immune system with beneficial microbes, like yogurt. Also, you should flavor foods with spices such as fennel and anise because they help to break up congestion.

Of course, the most obvious way to lessen or prevent allergies is to avoid the allergens in the first place. However, in an imperfect world, that is not always possible since we are constantly being exposed to toxins in our environment. The best approach is to commit to following a diet that is rich in whole foods that can help control your histamine levels. Of course that is easier said than done. It takes a lot of commitment to make nutritional adjustments to our daily eating habits. The good news is you are not alone and can get the guidance you need.

If you are an allergy sufferer and are looking for a better way to heal your body, I can provide a nutritional alternative to help regulate your histamine levels so that you can begin to experience better health. My name is Sunny Sarah and I am a Wellness Coach. Arrange your nutritional consultation with me today by contacting sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899.

We’ve been discussing how the strength of one’s immunity impacts overall health. Through regular exercise and good nutritional eating practices, our bodies are able to build and maintain a robust defense so that we can ward off illness and experience optimal wellness. 

The possession of a strong immunity is always within our reach, especially when it comes to deciding what we put in our mouths. Good nutrition is the key to our body’s defense. How? It starts with the consumption of whole foods that promote a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract. Good bacteria or flora that is numerously contained in the gut help keep our tract fit by fighting infection that is caused by harmful pathogens. When we eat foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar and saturated fat, our bodies are able to maintain a proper balance of these good microbes that can outweigh the bad ones. 

With too much sugar, alcohol and saturated fat consumption, we get an excess of bad bacteria that can cause inflammation leading to a disease known as leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which gaps in the intestinal walls widen, allowing bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles to pass into the blood stream. This can cause digestive disorders, inflammatory breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other ailments. A way to prevent this disorder is to eat fermented and high fiber foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole wheat grains, like oatmeal. 

The beneficial bacteria, also known as probiotic bacteria, live in our GI tract and account for 75% of our immunity function; they are the key to maintaining good health. With the aid of the above mentioned nutritious foods, microorganisms are able to thrive and prevent diseases from forming in the gut.  They are a governing factor to our immunity because they work with our cells to help regulate our metabolism and fight infection. In essence, they work hand in hand with our immunity. 

Although eating healthily seems like a no-brainer, the difficult part for many is in sticking to a consistent diet that will benefit our gastrointestinal system. Long work hours, vacation, holidays and other life events can distract us from sticking to our normal eating patterns. Even stress and lack of sleep can cause an imbalance in your microbial level. Anxiety, depression and sleeplessness often cause us to binge on sugary and salty junk food that can induce a leaky gut leading to some of the ailments that were mentioned. 

The best approach to avoid the pitfalls of poor eating habits is to plan your menu ahead of time with meals that will incorporate the right nutrients to nourish the digestive organs and preserve the bacteria that protects your immunity. Now that summer is here, it cabe especially hard to decide what to eat for that picnic, camping trip, or day on the beach. If you’d like to learn how to keep yourself on track with healthier eating habits, while still enjoying some fun in the sun, I’d love to talk to you. My name is Sunny Sarah and I am a Wellness Coach. You can reach me at sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899.