Does Your Diet Impact Your Allergies?
Your diet is critical to so many parts of your health, and one link you may not realize is between food and allergies. Allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and more can be impacted by what you eat, or what you don’t eat, and this new study called The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Allergic Disease dives into all.
In general, it shows that the Western diet that we are used to in the U.S. causes a risk for developing allergies, compared to the Mediterranean diet that may protect you from allergies. Here are a few findings and specific actions you can take to reduce allergic disease, found by researcher Ping Zhang.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is also known as seasonal allergies. It’s the itching, sneezing, coughing, and congestion that occurs when someone breathes in their problem allergen(s). The allergens can be pollen from trees or grass, dust mites, mold, or a variety of other microscopic organisms.
In this study, Zhang found that high total fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol can be risk factors for allergic rhinitis. As an alternative, monounsaturated fatty acids can be protective against allergic rhinitis, and are found in nuts and avocados.
Vitamin E and D are also great for managing allergic rhinitis. You can implement these through a capsule, or incorporate more high-vitamin foods. For vitamin E, try nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. And to add more vitamin D, try fish, fortified juices or milk, and egg yolks.
Asthma
When you breathe in allergens, they can also cause inflammation in the lungs and lead to allergic-asthma symptoms like chest tightening, cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing.
Dietary fiber can help reduce allergic asthma symptoms, because of its short-chain fatty acids. Incorporating more fiber-forward foods is easy. Try adding more whole foods, including whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. If that’s not enough, you can add a supplement or one of the many fiber bars out there.
This study pointed out that a specific flavonoid, called kaempferol, is great at reducing the airway inflammation that comes with allergic asthma. Kaempferol can be found in fruits and veggies including beans, broccoli, kale, strawberries, and apples. It’s also found in green and black teas.
Just like with allergic rhinitis, including vitamins D, E, and adding in vitamin A, can help with symptoms.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis – a rash, inflammation of the skin, itchy patches – can occur after inhaling or touching a problem allergen. The anti-inflammatory ideas listed previously, as well as the vitamins, can help reduce flare-ups, but there are a few solutions specific to atopic dermatitis, too.
Diosmetin is a flavonoid that has been shown to increase the skin barrier, as well as decrease skin swelling and dryness. It’s most commonly found in citrus fruits, but also rosemary and olive plants, and adding these into your diet can be beneficial.
Treating the Cause
If making dietary changes isn’t enough to kick your allergy, asthma, or eczema symptoms, you may consider treating the cause of your allergies. Allergy drops following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol are a natural treatment that train the body to not react to problem allergens.
It starts with allergy testing, an exam and thorough history to determine which allergens cause your symptoms, and at what specific level. Your clinician will then form a prescription with tiny amounts of your problem allergens, mixed with glycerin for stability. You put one dose under the tongue, three times daily, until the body learns to not react to the allergen.
Over time and gradually increasing doses, the goal is for reduced – or eliminated – reactions. Find a provider near you that offers allergy drops here.