Food As Medicine: Top Foods For Allergies

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Good Morning!

 

Food As Medicine: Top Foods For Allergies

 

With the arrival of Spring comes the full bloom of flowers, trees and

grass, which to many is a dream after a long hard winter. But for

some, this time of year brings a lot of misery to people in the form

of red, watery eyes, runny noses, and sneezing. Pollen levels

increase and, therefore, increase allergic symptoms.

 

One way to help decrease the severity of allergy symptoms is to boost

your immunity with immune-enhancing foods. These foods will have high

levels of vitamin C, magnesium, beta-carotene, and quercetin

 

Vitamin C: has been shown to decrease production of histamine,

therefore reducing an immediate allergic episode. It is a natural

antihistamine. It helps relieve allergic symptoms and prevents

inflammatory reactions. Helpful foods include: Green and red peppers,

strawberries, kiwi, oranges, potatoes,

 

Beta-Carotene: when converted to Vitamin A, helps boost immunity and

keeps the respiratory system working optimally. It is a powerful

antioxidant. Helpful foods include: Sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots,

winter squash, collard greens

 

Magnesium: may reduce constricted airways in asthma by relaxing the

muscles around the bronchial tubes. It can buffer the acidic stage of

an allergic reaction. Some think a deficiency in magnesium can

release histamine. Helpful foods include: Almonds, spinach, avocados,

oysters, seeds, peanuts, buckwheat

 

Quercetin: rich in bioflavonoids. It can reduce allergic reactions by

having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases inflammation

Helpful foods include: Apples, cranberries, grapefruit, grapes,

pears, spinach, cabbage.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

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