Foods to Help Alleviate Allergy Symptoms

Allergies can be caused by many substances and normally these substances are harmless to most people. An allergy sufferer's immune system overreacts when it encounters these allergens which can be anything from pollen, house dust, animal hair, certain foods and medicines. The body's reaction although in an effort to protect itself will actually then cause painful symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, skin irritations and vomiting.

Although food allergies are rare, for allergy sufferers who wish to alter their diet to include foods that may help alleviate allergies, it would be sensible for them to be aware of food allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Those who are more at risk of having a food allergy may suffer from eczema, hay fever or asthma or be related to someone who has an allergy.

Although any food can cause an allergic reaction to someone with an over-sensitive immune system, the most common food allergens that an allergy sufferer should be aware of are: eggs, soya beans, peanuts, some fruit and vegetables, fish, milk, wheat and shell fish.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to food include:

* Headaches (often these occur the moment the food is eaten)

* Irritability and fatigue

* Asthma

* Swollen lips, face, eyes or throat

* Vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhoea

* Skin Rash

The best treatment for an allergy is to avoid the allergen and therefore those who are allergic to some foods would best avoid these even if they are recommended to help alleviate allergies as clearly if your body reacts to these foods in negative ways they are only going to exacerbate the problem.

It has been found, for instance, that if you are allergic to tree and grass pollens, eating cherries, apples, peaches, carrots and potatoes can make your symptoms flare up.

Equipped now with an awareness of the need to avoid foods that may aggravate allergies and what these may be, how might some foods alleviate allergies?

As long as they aren't allergic to the following food, it is recommended that allergy sufferers might include these beneficial foods into their diet:

Garlic ~ Garlic has been used throughout history for treating all kinds of infection. It has also been found that garlic helps protect against the symptoms of colds and flu. Garlic will help allergy suffers because it also helps the immune system.

Plain unflavoured Yoghurt ~ this can have a mild anti-histamine affect but some sufferers of hayfever and exzema may be allergic to yoghurt

Vitamin C ~ Vitamin C lowers levels of histamine, the defensive chemical released by the immune system that is responsible for causing allergic symptoms. This can be found in many fruits and vegetables.

Chicken Soup ~ Although a folk remedy, chicken soup has been found to be effective to relieve stuffiness and other hayfever symptoms.

Fish ~ Fish can help improve breathing difficulties caused by hayfever and asthma. Go for white fish but not shell fish.

Brown rice ~ Brown rice acts like a sponge in the intestine, soaking up large amoutnts of water. This causes stools to get larger and wetter so they pass more easily. These move quickly through the body causing any harmful substances to have less time to cause an allergic reaction.

Honey ~ Bees gift to nature! Some people are sensitive to the pollen in honey but other allergy sufferers have found that a teaspoonful of honey taken every day for a few months before the allergy season can help alleviate their allergy.

People who suffer from allergies should also drink plenty water and fruit juices other than citrus fruits. It must also be remembered that foods that may help alleviate allergies in some people can trigger an allergy in others and therefore choosing a diet to help tone down an allergic reaction will be specific to the individual rather than based on 'what works for some people.' Allergy sufferers have a sensitivity to substances that is quite unique to the individual and therefore foods that have been found to be helpful to some, may not work for them. All they can do is experiment until they find the right kind of foods to help alleviate their discomfort.

Sources

Treacher, S "Practical Homeopathy" Paragon (1997)

Yeager, S "The Doctors Book of Food Remedies" Rosedale Press (1997)