Do you suffer from allergies – whether they are seasonal or otherwise? Many people do, and the normal course of action for many who suffer allergies is to load up on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. But did you know that most allergies are due to a response by our immune systems caused by over-stimulation – that is, too many irritants in the body at once? It’s true. By elimination of various allergens affecting the body’s environment, you will decrease the immune system response to factors like seasonal allergies. It’s that simple. Here’s why:

When seasonal allergies flare up in the spring or fall, your body is over-reacting to foreign substances in the air which normally should be benign – pollen, dust, grass seeds, and other naturally-occurring substances. Your body is already “busy” trying to protect itself against other substances, such as foreign bacteria and viruses, and the food you are eating – many common foods are the culprit:

• Wheat
• Soy
• Pasteurized dairy
• Nuts
• Corn
• Other processed foods

Most of these foods are incredibly processed – and in addition, have the added component of being covered in pesticides and other chemicals, are irradiated, and even genetically-modified. All of these factors greatly contribute to the body’s allergic and inflammatory response to toxic and unwanted substances.

When the pollen comes, it’s just the final tipping point. You become congested, your nose drips, your eyes water, you sneeze…you may even develop secondary sinus infections or respiratory ailments. Other allergic reactions can range from eczema and skin irritations or disorders to digestive, nervous system, endocrine, and cardiovascular problems as well.

For instance, if you’ve ever had a “panic attack”, did you ever consider that the symptoms you experience might be related to the foods you eat? From experience, I know my body reacts violently to certain foods, and I experience full-blown panic attack-like and other symptoms such as nervous system disruption and digestive issues. The more I eat those foods, the worse my symptoms become. Read my story of why I changed my diet to traditional foods to improve my health and stop having “panic attacks”.

What’s the solution? Instead of medication, try removing all processed foods from your diet and see what happens.
Wait a few weeks, and then gradually add back in replacements for these foods that are whole:

• Sprouted, soaked, whole grains in place of processed ones
• Raw dairy from a clean, organic source for pasteurized dairy
• Grass-fed, natural meats and eggs for commercially and industrially-raised ones
• If you aren’t eating it already, start having a serving or two a week of safe-source fish (check the guide for current safe selections in your area).
• Organic fruits and vegetables for conventionally-produced ones
• Raw foods like nuts, fermented foods like real, homemade yogurt or kefir instead of store-bought, processed, pasteurized selections
• Natural fats like olive oil, coconut oil, pumpkin seed oil, flax oil, avocado oil, or walnut oil for industrial and rancid oils like canola, cottonseed, soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, peanut and other polyunsaturated fats that have been damaged by processing.

Natural foods and good nutrition always support the body’s ability to fight off infections and disease, and allergic responses are no different. Make a lasting change today and see if it doesn’t make a difference in your allergies and eliminate your need to buy expensive drugs that are harmful to your health, and which only cover up the problem.

Another idea to consider is the toxicity levels in your body. Most people have toxins in their bodies, and some people’s toxic levels become serious enough that it interferes with the ability of organ systems to do their jobs and keep you healthy. When the body becomes unable to deal with harmless substances like dander and pollen, has trouble maintaining a normal weight, or has problems digesting foods that are consumed, this can often be a sign that the body needs extra help with detoxification. Read this post about how detoxifying the liver, one of the body’s largest and most important organs, can help with health problems, including allergies.

Want more information on allergies and how what you eat can cause health problems that you might not know are connected to your allergies?

The real health and financial implications of food allergies

My liver and gallbladder miracle cleanse experience

Want to lose weight? DETOX!

For more information about specific nutritional components and nutrients which can help allergies, as well as those to avoid, visit Natural Ways.

for more great articles by Raine Saunders visit www.agriculturesociety.com

Categories: General Health Topics
Tags: allergies  |  detoxification