Spring Allergies


By Anne Mitchell, ND


If so, you are in good company. It’s allergy season already. Pollen allergy is one of the most common chronic diseases. Respiratory aller- gies affect 35 million Americans. Our state capitol, Hartford, often makes the list of the top-ten worst cities in the United States for spring allergies. The first reactions in the spring are usually to trees. In Connecticut that means that in March (though it seems earlier every year) the trees start blooming and continue producing pollen until sometime in June. It’s not the ornamental trees with brightly colored flowers that bother most allergy sufferers, but rather the common trees that cause the greatest allergy symptoms. Some of the top allergy producing trees in Con- necticut are Oak, Birch, Cottonwood, Maple (begins in February), Hickory, Sycamore, Walnut, Beech, and Elm. The worst days are the bright sunny days


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when the gentle breeze brings fresh spring air… and pollen. Pollen grains are tiny, and are easily carried as many as 10 miles by the wind. Humid or rainy days are usually easier for pollen sensitive people because the mois- ture accumulates on the pollen grains in the air and they become heavy enough to fall to the ground. Mornings can be better because


ave you sneezed yet? Is your nose running? Are your eyes itching? Are you wheezing?


and processed foods in general will create inflammation. Meat, dairy and eggs contain arachadonic acid that may exacerbate inflammation in large amounts. A grain based diet may trigger inflammation in some people. Focus on eating whole foods - lots of vegetables, whole grain (consider gluten-free) and lean meat and fish for protein


of the moisture in the air but the plants like this time too. They produce more pollen in the morning that will be easily blown around as the day warms up. So what can you do naturally to help


your allergy symptoms? The first step is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. If there is less inflammation in your whole body, your immune system will be less reactive. Eat a colorful plant- based diet. Avoid high-fat meats, fast food and packaged, baked goods that are high in trans fats and saturated fats that are pro-inflammatory. Processed meats


Specific foods can either help or harm. Eating foods that have similar proteins as your primary allergen may make your reactions worse. Birch pollen is interesting because there is a very strong cross- reaction between birch pollen and several foods, especially apples, but also plum, carrot, fennel, cherries, walnut, pear, potato, peaches, and wheat. These birch-related foods are the foods most commonly as-


sociated with oral allergy syndrome. OAS is described as isolated oral symptoms caused by labile proteins in fresh fruits and veg- etables that share homology with proteins in pollens (the initial source of sensitization). That means that your mouth itches and even swells when you eat certain foods. The num- ber of foods reported to be involved in the syndrome is ever increasing. Cooked forms of the foods are typically tolerated. What you need to know from this is that food sensitivi- ties can make your pollen reactions worse, and vice versa.


Some foods can help with your allergy symptoms


Red Wine, Apples and Onions contain


quercetin, a flavonoid that helps the body fight against allergic inflammation by inhibit- ing the release of histamine. It is also found in berries, red grapes, black tea, broccoli and the white pulp of citrus fruits. Flaxseed, Walnuts and Salmon are


drkline@rklinemd.com l www.rklinemd.com Holistic Gynecology


Additional services include: Energy medicine, Meditation, Nutritional & Psychological Counseling 24 Natural Nutmeg March 2012


rich in omega 3 fatty acids that may help alleviate allergies by reducing inflammatory chemicals in the body. Other sources of this essential fatty acid include canola oil, pump-


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