Ahh, Springtime; Achoo!

By: Deborah Ray

Beautiful spring; time for the earth’s rebirth with new buds and blooming flowers, a renewal of our spiritual faith commemorating the Lord is risen indeed, and for many, a repeat of springtime hay fever. While many generations have welcomed spring, it now heralds hay fever time for all too many. Thirty percent of adults and forty percent of children suffer from hay fever. And, the incidence of asthma is most often triggered by allergy has more than doubled since the 1980s. (citation: http://www.enotalone.com/article/3418.html).

The reasons are many. We changed the fats in our diet. (Time January 2000, “Breakthroughs of the 20^th Century”, Walter Willett, MD, MPH) 85% of Americans are omega-three fatty acid deficient according to The Omega Three Connection written by Andrew Stoll, M.D. Without sufficient good fats, we tend to have more inflammation and immune system imbalance. (http://www.vitasearch.com/get/PC/.summaries/get.php?id=28855) The natural antihistamines found in foods rich in vitamin C and quercetin (think red onions and apples) are in short supply in the diet of many Americans’ diet. Even the proliferation of antibacterial products in our quest for clean homes and offices upsets the balance of good: bad bacteria that is essential for optimal immune function. (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3_supp/levy.htm) Our immune systems are 100% protein yet many Americans eat a carb-rich diet that can promote inflammation.

Our grandmothers knew the importance of “Shoo; go outside and play.” Children raised in farm settings have far less allergies and asthma than those raised in an environment that fails to expose our immune systems to triggers to optimize our immunity. Johns Hopkins University survey of cord blood tells us children are born exposed to hundreds of chemicals and heavy metals that can have adverse effects on our body’s immunity. (http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2008/11816/abstract.html)

Great-grandmothers also knew of the importance of springtime tonics made of greens like dandelion that could tonify the blood after months of a heavy winter diet. Even the brightly colored peppers, a rainbow from God’s garden, are rich in special plant chemicals that can reduce our risk of breathing and respiratory disorders. Dr. Irwin Ziment of UCLA reported that hot, spicy foods rich in those colored peppers stood up to scientific scrutiny to confirm they reduced the risk of bronchitis. (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/03/dining/eating-well-so-listen-to-mother-already-for-flu-take-chicken-soup.html?pagewanted=1) A nasal spray of the plant chemicals found in peppers was effective to un-stop a stuffy nose in Johns Hopkins University studies. (http://www.fiery-foods.com/article-archives/84-chiles-and-health/1810-the-healing-powers-of-hot-peppers-part-3-chile-for-your-head). Nettles also has been studied for its role to combat allergies. (http://www.nutrasanus.com/nettle.html)

The 5,000-year old Ayurvedic tradition from India speaks of rinsing sinuses (a neti pot is used traditionally but a bathroom sink and salt water will suffice) now backed by science to preserve the filtration ability of the hair-like projections in our sinuses. http://hayfever-spring-allergies.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_neti_pot

Springtime pollen is not destined to bring hay fever to all if our sinuses do their job of filtration backed by an immune system in balance thanks to wise lifestyle choices.

Nutritional status does matter. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is linked to lowered blood levels of inflammation and inflammation does matter. (http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/a/antiinflamfood_2.htm)

The Standard American Diet (yes, it spells S.A.D.) is often depleted of antioxidants and minerals that have an alkalinizing effect. Many of these natural plant chemicals have benefits for our immune system. Think of the special proanthocyanins in cranberries that prevent bacteria from sticking the bladder walls or even reducing the risk of cavity-causing bacteria. And, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are rich in minerals like magnesium. Magnesium alone drives nearly four hundred of our bodies’ chemical reactions. Selenium is another mineral critical for helping us to ward off viral infections.

Don’t forget stress can literally dampen our immune response. (http://www.healthy.net/scr/News.aspx?Id=9899) Yes, it can be true that when we are under stress we are more likely to come down with a sore throat, a cold, or the flu. There are many proven coping mechanisms to deal with psychoneuroimmunology, that is, the effect of emotional molecules on our immune system. Quiet reflection, be it prayer, time enjoying a springtime garden, exercise, or an activity that allows you defuse the stresses in our daily lives can help combat what stress can do to our immune response. Spiritual and emotional health are very important factors to keep our immune system in balance.

Vitamin D is emerging as a powerful factor in the picture of optimal immune response. We welcome longer days of sunshine as springtime rolls around each year with the return of Daily Savings Time. Those who live at the equator where vitamin D deficiency is unknown get the equivalent of 5000 IU of vitamin D from sun exposure. We now know vitamin D is critical to activating our immune system. (http://www.nutraingredients.com/Product-Categories/Vitamins-premixes/Vitamin-D-may-play-key-role-in-immune-system-activation)

In conclusion, it’s time to rethink that we are born to suffer from springtime allergies. Even if our parents had allergies and so did our grandparents, we can make empowering lifestyle choices to affect our genetic expression. While allergies are all-too-common, there are many steps we can take to make sure we can enjoy the miracle of symptom-free of spring-time allergies.

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