We are always looking for the next best health craze. The problem? Many of those diets turn out to be all hype and no meat, so to speak. But the gluten-free movement may be onto something -- particularly in regards to avoiding seasonal allergies.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and rye that can be difficult to digest, causing inflammation in the body. And when the body is inflamed, the immune response kicks into overdrive, says Kate Brown, nutritionist at DailyBurn. "If your body is constantly inflamed and trying to fight off the gluten it perceives as an allergen, exposure to seasonal allergens will cause an even bigger allergic reaction," she says. Translation: Horrendous symptoms that'll keep you sequestered in your house just as the spring weather starts to get really beautiful.
So if you deal with seasonal allergies, try going gluten-free for a couple weeks to see if your symptoms go away. If they do, there's a chance you've got a gluten sensitivity, which could mean steering clear of the stuff would be a good thing for your overall health.
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Pop open a bottle of wine
Not that we really need another reason to load up on the 2 Buck Chuck, but here's more support for your red wine habit: Lauren Schmitt, MS, RD, says red wine is high in quercetin, an antioxidant that reduces the amount of histamine that's released in the body.
Histamine triggers an inflammatory response, which causes allergy symptoms like redness, swelling, itching, and mucous production. By reducing histamine levels, "the quercetin will reduce your symptoms -- especially nasal congestion," says Schmitt. Not a drinker? Other foods that are high in this antioxidant are onions, apples, and berries.
And here's a cool tip: Load up on pineapple before you down that glass of Pinot Noir. Pineapple contains a protein called bromelain, which actually helps the body absorb quercetin.
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Skip the dairy aisle
James Matthew Andry, MD, co-founder of MDWeightWorx, says dairy is a somewhat complex category. The story begins with evolution: "We started domesticating animals 10,000 years ago, and since then we've been debating on whether it's OK to eat dairy or not," says Andry. He says most commercial dairy products exacerbate allergies due to their primary protein, beta-casein, which is created during the pasteurization process and which the immune system tries to "fight."
The exception when it comes to dairy? Raw, unpasteurized milk from grass-fed cows, which can actually treat seasonal allergy symptoms, says Andry. "I've seen scores of patients with eczema, asthma, and allergies whose symptoms improve thanks to all the antibodies in the milk that aren't pasteurized out. It's like giving someone an IgG, which is a bunch of antibodies. It helps fight infections, allergens, and supports the immune system."
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Eat more fruit
If you're mostly plagued by wheezing, a runny nose, and congestion, increase your fruit intake. In a study published in the journal "Thorax," researchers found that Crete islanders had very minimal to zero cases of nasal allergies. They found that 80 percent of the population ate fresh grapes, apples, and tomatoes -- the main local products in Crete -- at least twice a day.
These antioxidant-rich foods are packed with vitamin C, which the study found to be protective against nasal allergy symptoms, such as mucous congestion and sneezing. And the skins of red grapes are filled with resveratrol, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the body, which in turn strengthens the immune system.
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Snack on nuts
In addition to fruits, the Crete islanders' diet also consists of walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts, which have been found to have anti-inflammatory benefits. Schmitt says it's due to the nuts' inflammation-reducing omega-3 fatty acid content.
In addition to reducing inflammation, omega-3s inhibit prostaglandin, a fat that produces histamine, says Schmitt. "Block prostaglandin production and you prevent the production of mucous, swelling, and leakiness of the blood vessels, which causes congestion," says Andry. Not a fan of nuts? Flax seeds, chia seeds, and cold water fish, such as salmon, are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing -- it's the perfect backdrop for a spring romance. That is, for everybody but you. Because while everyone else is taking romantic strolls through the park, you're at home sneezing, wheezing, and downing hefty doses of antihistamines.
If this sounds all too familiar, it's time to amp up your immune system, says Monica Hershaft, MLH Wellness nutritionist at Santa Monica, Calif. Why? Turns out your immune system is at fault for your body reacting to seasonal allergens, like pollen and grass.
While these environmental allergens are mostly harmless, a weak immune system will identify them as dangerous and overreact, says Hershaft. So what does your body do? Your immune system kicks into overdrive, fighting the intruders by triggering mucous production (so you expel the invaders by blowing your nose non-stop), watery eyes (so you cry them out), itchy throat (so you cough them out) � you get the drift.
While those antihistamines may provide temporary relief of your symptoms, Brown says a much more effective, and healthy, way to ward off the allergy response is by building up your immune system.
"If your immune system is working right, you won't have allergies -- seasonal or otherwise," says Hershaft. While drinking plenty of water, exercising daily, and getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night are all proven ways to maximize your immune function, studies also show that what goes in your gut plays an essential role in the health of your immune system.
So if you're ready for a spring fling sans the wheezing and oh-so-unattractive nose-blowing, check out these diet tips proven to boost your immune system and help you avoid seasonal allergies for good.
