Natural Antihistamines: 3 Foods that Fight Allergies. Natural Antihistamines Send Hay Fever Packing. Sneezing, sniffling, swollen, itchy- eyes got you down this month? Claritin for Allergies and Hives Is Claritin a good antihistamine for allergies and hives?This natural compound increases blood flow. Quercetin works by stabilizing cells and halting histamine. Allergies affect millions each year. Learn how you can treat your allergies with a popular treatment called antihistamines. This section includes information about allergies found in the home, including house dust mite, mould and domestic pets.
WebMD's glossary of terms related to allergies. Pulmonary function test: This test measures how well your lungs take in air and exhale air. If so, you’re far from alone. Mid- august marks the beginning of ragweed season, which lasts through October, and causes a whopping 3. Americans to suffer the symptoms of “hay fever”, or allergic rhinitis. Technically, this site is devoted to food allergy sufferers, but with seasonal allergies (not to mention mold!) in full swing, we’ve got a total of 5. So instead of writing about foods to avoid this week, I’ve focussed on foods to include in your diet that can help reduce allergies. Food allergy sufferers, take note: I have not forsaken you! As seasonal allergies are said to exacerbate existing food allergies, this information should be helpful to you as well. Both my sons are in hyper- allergic mode this summer, both to foods and to pollen. Consequently, there’s been a lot of unnatural drugging going on — of the Claritin, Alavert, Benadryl type. I’m not alone in this. Americans spend billions of dollars annually on antihistamines to treat symptoms of allergies. The problem with these over- the- counter antihistamines — aside from their obvious side effects of drowsiness, cloudy thinking, dry mouth, and for some, accelerated heart rate — is that they don’t stop the problem from happening in the first place, they just mask the symptoms for several hours. What a novel concept. EATING YOUR ANTIHISTAMINES. So what are these super- foods? Well, lucky for you, most of them are available in abundance at your local green market or grocer. Additionally, there is much evidence that eating foods rich in Omega- 3 Fatty Acids reduces allergic symptoms. Vitamin CVitamin C is one of nature’s great wonders. In addition to being a natural antihistamine, this water soluble vitamin has a multitude of other functions in the body. From being a powerful antioxidant fighting free radicals, to its role in the synthesis of collagen, it’s the vitamin we truly can’t live without. Good food sources of Vitamin C are guavas, blackcurrants, red bell peppers, kale, parsley, green sweet peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, mustard greens, mango, watercress, cauliflower, red cabbage, strawberries, papayas, green and white cabbage, spinach, citrus fruits, elderberries, calf liver, turnips, peaches, asparagus, cantaloupe, cayenne pepper, green onions, new lima beans, black- eyed peas, green peas, radishes, raspberries, yellow summer squash, sweet potatoes, loganberries, tomatoes, new potatoes, lettuce, bananas, kiwi, honeydew, pineapple, cranberry juice, vegetable juice, tomato juice, rutabaga, and kohlrabi. That’s a whole lot of options to keep you eating your C! Flavonoids. Flavonoids, such as Quercetin are a group of plant pigments that are largely responsible for the colors of many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine that helps stabilize mast cells to prevent both the manufacture and release of histamine, as well as other allergic and inflammatory compounds. Good sources of Quercetin are citrus fruits, onions, garlic, apples, parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, legumes, berries, and wine (no bummer there!). Omega- 3 Fatty Acids. Omega- 3 Fatty Acids are thought to reduce allergic reactions through their anti- inflammatory properties. Omega- 3 Fatty Acids are found in such foods as cold- water fish (think salmon), and walnuts, but since this is a blog devoted to food allergy sufferers, I prefer to recommend you get your Omega- 3s from less allergenic sources, such as hemp seeds, flax seed oil, canola oil, and grass- fed meat. Many articles advise you to start loading up on your natural antihistamines six weeks prior to peak allergy season, but since many of us don’t know exactly what pollen or mold spores we’re allergic to, I advise trying to eat as much of these foods as possible, all year round. Foods That Fight Springtime Allergies. As 4. 0 million sneezing and wheezing allergy sufferers can attest to, this spring has turned out to be quite possibly the worst pollen season ever. And while hitting the drugstore aisles in pursuit of fast relief may be one method for dealing with the allergy- induced onslaught of congestion, inflammation and watery eyes, a good diet is also a good defense.“We’re not going to tell people to not take their medication and see their doctor, but there is some evidence that certain ways of eating, like the Mediterranean diet, can be beneficial for allergies,” says Clifford W. Bassett, M. D., medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York. That’s because diets rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients may bolster our immune system and decrease inflammation in the body – all of which can lessen those annoying allergy symptoms. So grab a grocery cart and make sure your fridge is stocked with these foods. They may just stave off those sniffling, sneezing symptoms. Grapes. When it comes to fighting springtime allergies, the Mediterranean diet may be a good bet, according to one study. Published in the journal Thorax, researchers found that children from Crete who consumed a diet full of grapes, oranges, apples and fresh tomatoes – staples on the island – had decreased rates of wheezing and rhinitis. In fact, their diet, consisting mainly of fish, fruits, vegetables and nuts, may explain the relative lack of allergic symptoms in this population, say researchers. Apples. Apples, especially their peels, are rich in quercetin, a flavanoid that has natural antihistamine and anti- inflammatory properties. In a test tube study, researchers found that quercetin prevents immune cells from releasing histamines, chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Therefore, quercetin may help reduce symptoms of allergies, including runny nose, watery eyes, hives and swelling of the face and lips. Other foods containing this allergy- fighting gem include citrus fruits, onions, red wine and dark berries. Wheat Bran. Rich in magnesium, bran can act as a bronchodilator and aid in lung function with antihistamine- like effects. That’s worth noting since up to 8. Bassett. Soybeans, dark chocolate and cashews are also good sources of magnesium. Hot Tea. Any time you introduce hot, clear liquids into the body, they can help thin nasal passages. This happens mainly through the introduction of steam – the same effect as filling a sink with hot, steamy water and putting a towel over your head to breathe it in. Bonus: Ginger tea and green tea are also anti- inflammatories that can help reduce overall allergy woes. Salmon. Fatty fish that contain omega- 3 fatty acids are thought to help improve allergies and asthma symptoms, according to several studies in Europe and as part of a heart- healthy Mediterranean diet, notes Bassett. Omega- 3s have anti- inflammatory properties and can help strengthen your immune system. There’s a definite connection between the two.”Spicy Foods. Bring on the heat! Hot peppers, Cajun spices and even horseradish can stimulate the nasal passages to break up and relieve congestion associated with springtime allergies. Milk. Research shows a promising connection between vitamin D and its ability to control asthma and wheezing. Milk is often fortified with vitamin D, but if dairy doesn’t agree with your gut, you can try vitamin D- fortified orange juice or fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna or mackerel), which are naturally rich in vitamin D. Or simply soak up a few minutes of sunshine. More from You. Beauty: How Much Hidden Sugar is in ? We Asked a Scientist. Skin Cancer: Take This Quiz to Assess Your Risks.
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