MyAchyBack Potential Pain Solution: Nutrition
Nutrition Feature Article
Allergy Treatment Without Medication
Supplements and lifestyle strategies may promise relief. But be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, as they may interact with other medications you're taking, says Roberta Lee, M.D., vice chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center and author of "The Superstress Solution." In addition, read the box for the appropriate dosage and take according to the directions or as instructed by your doctor.
Read on for AOL Health's expert's picks for natural allergy relief.
Watch the Clock
To keep pesky pollen, grass and other allergens at bay, keep your windows
closed in the morning and at dusk, when allergens are at their peak. Avoid
exercising during those times, as well.
"If you're running at that time of day, you're basically inoculating yourself," says Lee.
Take a shower after being outside to scrub off pollen and other allergens. Same goes for Fido. Give your pets a good washing so they're not dragging pollen into the house.
Neti
Pot
The fewer allergens you have in your system, the less you'll sneeze and
sniffle. Take a deep breath outside, however, and you'll inhale pollen and
other allergens that stick to your mucus membranes. That's where a Neti Pot
comes in handy. The hypertonic saline wash can flush out these allergens in
your nasal passages.
"Pre-made nasal irrigation solutions found at the drugstore are perfectly fine to use," says Lee.
She recommends using the Neti Pot twice a day.
Capsaicin
This ingredient, found in many spicy foods, comes from the chili pepper plant
and can act as a pain reliever. It may also clear up your congestion. An
over-the-counter nasal spray for allergies, called Sinol, uses capsaicin.
"The spray has an apparent effect on nasal membranes to reduce
irritation by allergens such as pollens," says Clifford Bassett, M.D., a
member of the faculty at New
York University School of Medicine and assistant clinical professor of
medicine at the Long Island College Hospital SUNY at
Omega-3
Fatty Acids
Oily fish, green leafy vegetables, flax seed and hemp seed are all rich in
omega-3.
"The trouble is most people don't get enough in their diet," says Lee. "I prescribe omega-3 for general health as an anti-inflammatory."
This can help reduce inflammation, which amplifies an allergic response. Lee recommends eating oily fish such as salmon, tuna, herring and sardines once or twice a week. If you're not a fish eater, take one to three grams of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements each day.
Vitamin D
Found in sunlight and naturally occurring in some foods, such as egg yolks,
herring and cod liver oil, vitamin D is vital to protecting muscle strength as
we age and in preventing cancer, diabetes and autoimmune diseases and may offer
asthma and allergy protection. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels.
Lee recommends taking 2,000 international units of vitamin D3 a day if they're
low. Or, if it's a warm, sunny day, expose one third of your body to the
sunshine for 10 minutes.
Ginger and Turmeric
Your spice cupboard is home to a host of tasty allergy remedies.
"Get involved in your senses and enjoy spices that inadvertently make your food healthier," says Lee.
Both tumeric and ginger are powerful anti-inflammatories that may help reduce nasal and sinus inflammation. And unlike medications, they are also high in antioxidants. Lee says you can reduce inflammation and add more vitamins to your diet all at once by drinking two to three cups of ginger tea a day or cooking with two to four grams of tumeric a day.
"It's kind of like getting two medicines in one."
Stinging Nettle and Quercetin
Your body's mast cells are filled with chemicals that cause inflammation.
Exposure to an allergen can cause the mast cell to rupture, releasing chemicals
that start an allergic reaction. Stinging nettle and quercetin are
anti-inflammatory supplements that can act as mast cell stabilizers. Lee
recommends taking two to four capsules of stinging nettle every four to six
hours. Quercetin works like a natural Benadryl, Lee says. Take 500 mg twice a
day.
Butterbur
This herbal supplement avoids the chain reaction of an allergy attack and
decreases swelling.
"It helps with itchy eyes, swelling in your nose and coughing."
She recommends taking about 50 mg twice a day.
Acupuncture
This ancient medical practice can alleviate many allergy symptoms. But, Lee
cautions, you should find an acupuncturist who has trained for at least four
years. Lee says you may want to visit an acupuncturist as often as twice a week
when your symptoms are at their worst. During the winter when allergies
subside, you may not need to see someone at all.
Reduce Stress
Pollen isn't the only thing that makes a bad allergy season. Chronic stress can
contribute.
"People with asthma have far worse asthma when they're stressed," says Lee.
Allergies are similar. To alleviate stress, Lee recommends an anti-inflammatory diet and deep breathing exercises.
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