A shocking 30 per cent of us suffer from allergies, whether it’s hay fever, eczema or food intolerances with resulting allergic reactions, such as bloating and rashes. Tony is one of these and as we can’t turn on and off what time of year it is and the natural progress of the seasons, I have found myself introducing an eating plan which helps the body to curb reactions and reduce symptoms, which leaves him feeling healthier and more energised, (plus he sheds a few surplus pounds too.)
I have been testing the theory that eating the right foods and, perhaps more importantly, eliminating the wrong ones, can prevent allergic reactions since before Christmas. For over a year I have had serious breathing difficulties. My visits to doctor’s saw the prescription of a variety of “puffers/inhalers” and corticosteroids which dealt well with the symptoms while I took them but did not eliminate or fix whatever was causing these problems. While I had two weeks off work over the Christmas period I explored the fact these symptoms might be eased or mended by a more diligent attention to what I ate.
Whatever the culprit, my natural defence system needed to be boosted if I was to overcome any allergy
When your immune system works effectively, it protects you from invading micro-organisms – without going into overdrive. An allergic reaction takes place when your immune system misinterprets a normally harmless substance, such as grass, cat fur or shampoo, as an invader. It responds by producing antibodies, which stimulate the release of saliva and histamine, causing inflammation and constriction of the airways. In the case of a real infection (such as flu), histamine provides vital protection for your body. However, in a false allergic reaction (such as hay fever or a food allergy), the body overreacts to a non-toxic agent, causing unnecessary inflammation and discomfort. In this case, the liver usually comes to the rescue by metabolising the histamine – but if your liver is under stress, it won’t be able to function efficiently and the allergic reaction will persist.
Allergic reactions are becoming more and more common, possibly due to an increase in environmental pollution – we’re now each exposed to about 3,000 chemicals every year. These can cause a wide range of reactions in the form of asthma, eczema, hay fever, psoriasis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, mouth ulcers, irritable bowel symptoms, period problems, bloating, fluid retention, blood sugar fluctuations, weight gain, skin rashes, joint pain, poor concentration, depression and emotional disturbances. So what can do you about it?
Onee solution lies in following a diet that encourages healthy liver and bowel function and a strong defence system, as well as weight loss and increased vitality. Certain foods can support your body and help reduce inflammation, such as flax oil, hemp oil, rapeseed oil, tahini or pulped sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, garlic, red onions, ginger, turmeric, pineapple and low-fat bioactive plain yoghurt. However, other foods can actually trigger histamine release and should be avoided. These include the yeasts and moulds found in alcohol, bread, cheese, mushrooms, processed meats, soy sauce and vinegar.
This 14-day eating plan eliminates the foods that exacerbate the production of histamine and is rich in the foods that will boost your liver and natural defences, so helping to keep allergies at bay and leaving you feeling fresher, healthier and ready to face each day. And, as a bonus, it will help you shift up to half a stone!
For the best results, stick to these basic rules while following the diet:
● Drink at least two litres of room temperature water every day.
● Have six cups of herbal tea every day (try nettle, dandelion, chamomile, peppermint or detox tea).
● Eliminate wheat, soya, sugar, caffeine, dairy produce (except yoghurt), eggs, nuts, strawberries, soft fruit with stones (plums, peaches etc) and citrus fruit.
● Include essential oils from foods such as flax oil, fish oil, crushed seeds and tahini.
● Eat plenty of vegetables, pulses, quinoa, millet and short grain brown rice.
● Include a small portion of low-fat protein (grilled chicken, fish) at each meal.
● Exercise daily, preferably a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise.
● Include fresh herbs with lunch and dinner – they are powerhouses of nutrients.
Five key anti-allergy nutrients
● Betacarotene and vitamin A – found in cantaloupe melon, tomatoes, red peppers, carrots, spinach and oily fish.
● Vitamin C – found in broccoli, green leafy vegetables, kiwi fruit, blackcurrants, blueberries and raspberries.
● Vitamin E – found in avocados, olives, tahini, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
● Selenium – found in chicken, turkey, lentils, short grain brown rice, onions and seeds.
● Zinc – found in chicken, turkey, guinea fowl, quinoa and short grain brown rice.
