All About Allergies
Spring is a beautiful season for many, but for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, it can bring discomfort with itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny noses. Allergies, especially hay fever, happen when your immune system mistakes harmless pollen for a threat and reacts by releasing histamine, causing those unpleasant symptoms.
The "Histamine Bucket" Analogy
Think of your body as a bucket that gradually fills with histamine from sources like pollen, certain foods, and stress. Normally, your body can handle a little histamine, but when your "bucket" overflows, allergy symptoms appear. To manage this, it’s essential to reduce the factors that fill up your bucket—like avoiding allergens, eating low-histamine foods, or taking supplements like quercetin, which can help prevent histamine build up.
Gut Health and Allergies
Recent research has shown that gut health is closely linked to allergies through what’s called the gut-immune axis. Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that play a key role in regulating the immune system. A healthy gut helps your immune system tolerate harmless substances like pollen, but when your gut is out of balance (a condition called dysbiosis), it can lead to more allergic reactions. Specific gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, help control inflammation and allergic responses. By improving gut health through a balanced diet, probiotics, and prebiotics, you can help reduce allergy symptoms and maintain overall immune balance.
How Can You Manage Allergies?
Here are a few tips:
Prepare Early: Work on your gut health and histamine tolerance before spring arrives.
Try Local Honey: Eating honey from your local area may help your body build tolerance to local pollen.
Quercetin: This natural supplement can help prevent histamine release.
Consult a Health Professional: For more personalized advice, speak with a naturopath to address the root cause of your allergies.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the impact of seasonal allergies and enjoy the beauty of spring!
