Try these out and let me know how it’s working for you. A lot of people find that just switching to a nutrient-dense diet, can significantly improve allergy symptoms. Cut out the junk, eat whole foods and stop the sugar/grains. See if that helps. If you’re still having symptoms, try the steps below.
- Probiotics or fermented foods
Fermented foods and probiotics can help balance the good bacteria in your body and bring your immune system back into balance. If you are sensitive to histamine, try histamine-degrading strains such as Bifidobacteria infantis and Lactobacillus plantarum. - Fermentable fiber
Plantains, cassava, and sweet potatoes are good examples. These fibers are fermented by gut bacteria, resulting in the formation of short-chain fatty acids that regulate the immune system. Butyrate, a short chain fatty acid has been shown to reduce intestinal permeability in mice. The mice had reduce allergic airway disease as well - Get tested for sensitivities and avoid inflammatory foods
Continuing to eat foods you are sensitive to can cause low-grade inflammation and impair gut healing. Consider keeping some activated charcoal on hand for those times that you accidentally eat something you are sensitive to. Many people find that it can provide quick and safe relief for food allergies. - The low-histamine diet
A low-histamine diet can often reduce the severity of allergy symptoms. Foods high in histamine include fermented foods, aged cheese, citrus fruits, fish, shellfish, avocados, spinach, cocoa, and leftover meat, to name a few. Consider taking quercetin (a natural antihistamine) or diamine oxidase (the enzyme responsible for breakdown of histamine) in supplement form, and use antihistamine herbs like thyme and holy basil in cooking. Check out my articleon histamine intolerance for more information. - Local Raw Honey
Raw honey contains both beneficial bacteria and trace amounts of pollen picked up by the bees from local plants. Consuming raw honey produced in your area can help to “educate” your immune system to tolerate these local pollens. A randomized controlled pilot trial published in 2011 showed that allergic patients who consumed birch pollen honey had 60 percent reduced allergy symptoms and twice as many asymptomatic days during birch pollen season.
Don’t throw away your EpiPen or inhaler just yet. Severe allergic reactions are not something to mess with, and most people with anaphylaxis will always have some degree of sensitivity. The good new is, there’s a lot you can do to reduce the severity of allergies and improve your overall quality of life.
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