Respiratory allergies such as allergic rhinitis (or “hay fever”) affects 1 in 5 Canadians and is extremely frustrating for the chronic sufferer. There are both hereditary and environmental components. It occurs when the body is over-reactive to an allergen, which manifests into upper respiratory and sinus symptoms such as runny, itchy nose, and red and itchy eyes. The chronicity of these symptoms often lead to fatigue and frustration. The most common air-borne allergens are pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander.
The best way to alleviate symptoms is to remove yourself from the environmental allergen whenever possible. This may include minimizing outdoor activity, keeping the window closed at home and in the car, frequent cleaning of furniture, walls, floors, and pet areas, as well as the use of a HEPA filters at home. Try wearing a mask when cleaning. It is also important to do laundry frequently, shower thoroughly, and use a saline sinus rinse. An often overlooked remedy is to coat your nasal passage with a sterile sinus gel after using a nasal rinse and after each time you blow your nose. This will help trap the allergens and minimize exposure of your skin’s receptors to the triggers.
Healthy eating on a regular basis, including a diet of adequate protein, lower fat and lower carbohydrate/sugars, can greatly affect your energy metabolism, and minimize inflammation throughout the body which is related to the severity of your allergy symptoms. Be weary of hidden carbs in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and nuts. Taking a good-quality broad-spectrum probiotic such as New Root Herbal’s Acidophilus Ultra can balance the flora in your lower gut and help regulate your immunity to an optimal level, as well as aide water/electrolyte balance in the bowels and help maintain desirable bowel movements. Regularly taking Vitamin D and omega-fatty acids can improve immune function and also minimize inflammation, but be picky in your selection; we feel the CanPrev and Metagenics ones offer great quality, tunability, and value. Antioxidants such as quercetin on its own or in combinations such as Vitamin C8 by New Roots herbal can maximize lung health and lead to a more reasonable response to allergens. Herbs such as stinging nettle and bromelain have been used successfully to curb the annoying response of runny nose, stuffy sinuses and itchy eyes. Ortho Molecular’s D-Hist is available in an adult and a kids formulation; it combines N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine with Vitamin C, quercetin, stinging nettle, and NALC into a quick acting capsule that could take effect after a day’s use.
Speak with your integrative pharmacists at Pharmasave Steveston Village and Cloverdale Pharmasave to explore the many natural options to prevent and treat respiratory allergies.
Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family- operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore. They would love to hear from you or meet you at one of their seminars. Of course, before you begin any activity program or try any OTC supplementation, check with your physician and pharmacist.
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