Spring – how many in this word… allergies? This question is especially painful for people suffering from this strange disease. For a healthy-looking person, suddenly one spring day, the world becomes unattractive due to continuous lacrimation, stuffy nose with the mucus secretion, sore throat and cough, redness and rashes on the skin that cause unbearable itching … If you know these sensations, maybe you are “lucky” to be among the 20% of the world’s population suffering from allergies.
So, what is a seasonal allergy, and how to treat it according to the principles of biological medicine?
What do doctors call allergies?
In simple words, an allergy is an altered reaction of the human immune system to various foreign factors (1). The immune system performs the functions of protection, mobilization to fight the body by constantly attacking bacteria, viruses, and infections. When everything is in order with immunity, a person does not even notice these attacks or tolerates the disease relatively easily. In turn, a frivolous attitude to one’s health, bad habits, ignoring the symptoms and pain signals that the body gives us in most diseases leads to a significant weakening and malfunction of the immune system. In fact, an allergy is like a missed goal against immunity, and its manifestations are penalties for the goalkeeper.
What are spring allergies?
Pollinosis – this is what allergists call an allergy to the flowering of trees and grasses, which begins in early spring and lasts until the first frost. It is flower pollen that is the most common allergen that enters the human body through the respiratory tract. Very often, at the very beginning of the disease, people confuse pollinosis with acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, because the symptoms are very similar – stuffy nose, lacrimation, sneezing, and coughing. But if this condition lasts more than 10 days, it’s time to seek help from an allergist.
How is allergy diagnosed?
Traditionally, allergies are diagnosed with allergy tests. Micro-scratches are applied to the patient’s skin, on which the allergen is applied and the reaction of the skin to it is observed. But this method is quite painful and unpleasant, and outdated. For example, he may detect that you are allergic to horsehair or orange tree pollen, although you are unlikely to encounter these allergens in real life. Newer and diagnostically more accurate is the diagnosis of allergy using allergic panels (food, inhalation, mixed) and the level of total immunoglobulin E (1). When an allergen attacks the body, the immune system begins to produce antibodies. By identifying these antibodies in the blood, we identify the allergen that causes an allergic reaction in the patient’s body.
Is the allergy treatable?
Like any disease, the sooner you start treatment, the more likely you are to become healthy. The task of the doctor is to identify the cause of the allergy and prescribe the most effective individual treatment. It is important to remember that allergy is a complex disease that is treated in a complex manner. If you self-medicate and take drugs, you run the risk of eventually getting bronchial asthma, which significantly worsens the quality and shortens life expectancy.
So how to treat an allergy according to the principles of biological medicine?
Detox – the first step to treat allergy!
One underlying mechanism for the increased levels of allergic responses, secondary to exposure, appears to be an imbalance in the T-helper function caused by exposure to the toxicants. Scientists claims that exposure to environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals can result in dramatic changes in cytokine production, the activity of the immune system, the overall Th1 and Th2 balance, and in mediators of type 1 hypersensitivity mediators, such as IgE (2). Passive exposure to tobacco smoke is a common risk factor for wheezing and asthma in children. People living in urban areas and close to roads with a high volume of traffic, and high levels of diesel exhaust fumes, have the highest exposure to environmental compounds, and these people are strongly linked with type 1 hypersensitivity disorders and enhanced Th2 responses. These data are consistent with epidemiological research that has consistently detected increased incidences of allergies and asthma in people living in these locations (3). During recent decades more than 100,000 new chemicals have been used in common consumer products and are released into the everyday environment.
What to choose for proper and safe detox?
So, there is no doubt that detoxification has great importance in reducing symptoms of allergy. But it’s not so easy to choose the right way to detox. It can be recommended to use Zeostar®- micronized zeolite clinoptilolite immune modulator, an innovative therapeutic approach originating from micronization technology with enhanced biological activity (4). Due to Zeostar® ability to add positively charged toxins, it efficiently absorbs and immobilizes (5) mycotoxins, nitrosamines, dioxins, heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Cs, Sr) and ammonia, bacterial toxins and viruses, ethanol, and even hydroxyl radicals (worst radicals in oxidation process). This way Zeostar® helps to get rid of the toxins in our body, enhances the immune system, antioxidant enzymes, and promotes digestibility and bioavailability of other nutrients.
Our microbiome can regulate immunity and allergy!
The second step is to renovate your microbiome. It was shown that a healthy and balanced microbiome can regulate immune activity and helps to get rid of allergies (6). Also, try to review your diet. Many products and supplements mitigate the body’s immune response to allergens and, consequently, allergy symptoms. For example:
1. Probiotics
Probiotics (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) restore the intestinal microflora and normalize digestion, but their useful properties do not end there. Probiotics also affect the immune system and can suppress allergic reactions. One of the best supplements to improve the state of the microbiome is Multi EM Ferment® – a multi-stage fermented beverage with 31 different strains of beneficial bacteria (EM) and 31 different plant metabolites. It is a new innovative concept for biological anti-ageing and more vitality for cells and organs. Powerful polyphenols from natural plants and fruits, combined with selected vitamins and vital substances are perfect for regulating gut-associated and inflammatory health problems and normalizing microbiome state.
Different studies found that people who took probiotic yoghurts and supplements had significantly lower levels of antibodies that cause allergy symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, red eyes, tearing, and skin reactions (6).
2. Strawberry
Strawberry allergy is a common phenomenon, but if you are lucky enough to get along with this berry, it will be of great benefit to your health. Vitamin C in strawberries not only strengthens the immune system but also “calms” histamine, which is responsible for allergic rhinitis, itchy eyes, and sneezing.
Studies have shown that ascorbic acid reduces histamine levels by 38%, and vitamin C deficiency, in contrast, increases its concentration in the blood (7).
By the way, Multi EM Ferment® contains Vitamin C in a day-enough dose!
3. Turmeric
Indian turmeric spice has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and its active ingredient curcumin can block the release of histamine, relieving allergy symptoms (8). Curcumin has shown a powerful ability to suppress all types of inflammation but it has very low availability. Taking Multi EM Ferment® you’ll get turmeric in the best form that can be used by cells for full.
4. Salmon
Eating salmon and other fatty fish is the best way to replenish your omega-3 fatty acids, which relieve inflammation and allergic reactions. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that high levels of omega-3s in red blood cells reduce the risk of hay fever (hay fever). Observing the inhabitants of the Greek island of Crete, doctors found that children here are less likely to develop symptoms of allergies and asthma (9). This protection is provided by the Mediterranean diet with a high content of fish. Omega-3 essential fatty acids also strengthen the heart, improve memory and mood.
One of the best drugs for enriching the body with essential Omega 3 acids is Asta Omega-3®, a pure sustainable source of ECOC and DHK for the whole family.
5. Eat less processed foods
Technologically processed products (bacon, sausages, fast food cutlets, sausages, semi-finished products) contain a large amount of Omega-6 fatty acids. And although they are just as important to our body as Omega-3s, their excess leads to inflammatory reactions associated with allergies. By giving up refined carbohydrates in favour of fresh foods, you will reduce the rate of free radical formation and get more antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
How to prevent allergies?
The following measures should be taken to prevent spring allergies:
- Change the schedule of staying on the street. It is believed that the largest amount of pollen in the air is concentrated in the morning from 5 to 10. At this time, it is desirable to be in a room with tightly closed windows.
- In the sun, allergens are also activated faster, so you should avoid direct sunlight.
- On dry days and in the wind, it is desirable to refrain from walking.
- Wear a gauze bandage and goggles.
- Use decorative cosmetics, deodorants minimally.
- Be sure to change your clothes and take a shower after going outside.
- If you have pets, they should also be bathed after a walk.
- Do not dry clothes and clothes in the fresh air during the flowering period of plants.
- Increase immunity.
By following the above recommendations you will be able to have a joyful, warm, sunny spring without allergies and enjoy life to the fullest!
Dr. Oksana Klymenko M.D., PhD, SNHS Dip. (Holistic Nutrition), Medical Doctor, Researcher in the fields of molecular physiology and pathophysiology, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology
References
- Wheatley LM, Togias A. Clinical practice. Allergic rhinitis. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(5):456-463. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1412282;
- Yang SN, Hsieh CC, Kuo HF, et al. The effects of environmental toxins on allergic inflammation. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2014;6(6):478-484. doi:10.4168/aair.2014.6.6.478;
- Allen J, Montalto M, Lovejoy J, Weber W. Detoxification in naturopathic medicine: a survey. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(12):1175-1180. doi:10.1089/acm.2010.0572;
- Sandra Kraljević Pavelić, Jasmina Simović Medica, Darko Gumbarević, Ana Filošević, Nataša Pržulj, Krešimir Pavelić. Critical Review on Zeolite Clinoptilolite Safety and Medical Applications in vivo. Front. Pharmacol., 2018;
- Panayotova M., Velikov B.: Kinetics of heavy metal ions removal by use of natural zeolite, J. Environ. Sci. Health A Tox. Hazard Subst. Environ. Eng. 37 (2003) 139-147;
- Pascal M, Perez-Gordo M, Caballero T, et al. Microbiome and Allergic Diseases. Front Immunol. 2018;9:1584. Published 2018 Jul 17. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01584;
- Vollbracht C, Raithel M, Krick B, Kraft K, Hagel AF. Intravenous vitamin C in the treatment of allergies: an interim subgroup analysis of a long-term observational study. J Int Med Res. 2018;46(9):3640-3655. doi:10.1177/0300060518777044;
- Kurup VP, Barrios CS. Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Sep;52(9):1031-9. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200700293. PMID: 18398870;
- Kitz R, Rose MA, Schubert R, Beermann C, Kaufmann A, Böhles HJ, Schulze J, Zielen S. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and bronchial inflammation in grass pollen allergy after allergen challenge. Respir Med. 2010 Dec;104(12):1793-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2010.06.019. Epub 2010 Jul 15. PMID: 20637584.
