Join Julie Polanco on this episode of Crunchy Christian Podcast as she discusses natural ways to fight inflammation that makes our noses, ears, and throats all itchy during allergy season.
Natural Ways to Fight Inflammation
A bit about histamines
Since the sneezing and itching associated with seasonal allergies are caused by histamines, this episode is about reducing histamines. When your body releases histamines, a chain reaction occurs. Histamine affects your heart and blood vessels, lungs, eyes and nose, and digestive system.   It also increases swelling and inflammation (which can cause headaches, sleep issues, and other problems) and causes an adrenaline rush. Normally, your immune system releases histamines in response to an invader to mobilize the body to get rid of it. In the case of seasonal allergies, the body sees the allergens as invaders. So, the body ends up chronically inflamed and revved up.
Eliminate or reduce foods high in histamines
Did you know that one of the natural ways to fight inflammation is to reduce your intake of foods containing histamines? On the podcast, Julie talks about these foods. To reduce the histamine load in your body, you will need try to eat less of these foods. In addition, it helps to eat more of the foods that fight inflammation, particularly those high in B vitamins and vitamin C. Julie talks about those, too, in the podcast.
Eliminate other inflammatory foods
Besides foods high in histamines, it also helps to reduce or eliminate foods that promote inflammation in your body. These foods work against your efforts to reduce seasonal allergies symptoms. In the podcast, Julie discusses these problematic foods, one of the biggest culprits being white sugar. If you want to use natural ways to fight inflammation, reducing sugar intake needs to be near the top of the list.
Is it histamine intolerance?
There is no known test for histamine intolerance, but it is a genetic condition. Doctors think that people with this condition produce low amounts of the enzymes that break down histamines. So, to prevent flare-ups, people who suffer with histamine intolerance need to eliminate high histamine foods from their diets. Check out the link below for more information on that.
Other natural ways to fight inflammation
Histamine release is not just associated with invaders or pseudo-invaders, like allergens. It is also associated with certain medications, such as antibiotics, and with stress. Reducing stress can help with lowering inflammation. Try some of the suggestions Julie makes on the podcast. Another way to reduce histamine levels is through increasing your Omega-3 fatty acid intake by eating more grass-fed butter, wild caught salmon, avocados, olive oil, and pastured chicken. It also helps to eat foods high in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, B12, and iron. For some examples of these, listen to the podcast!

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Additional Resources

* The Histamine Intolerance Awareness website: you will find dietary recommendations and more at this site.
* How to reduce allergy symptoms with daily habits
* What Makes Allergies Worse
* Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
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