Spring is dawning. The sun is shining more often, the temperature is rising and the flowers are beginning to bloom. Lovely! Right? Not for people who suffer from hay fever... All they see this time of year? Pollen!
That's why we created a hay fever file especially for them with everything you want to know about hay fever!
What is hay fever?
Surely classic hay fever symptoms are sneezing, teary eyes, a runny nose, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath and a dry throat. In the Netherlands alone, three million people are expected to suffer from hay fever every year.
It is a form of allergic rhinitis - an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This inflammation results from hypersensitivity to pollen, grasses, plants and/or trees.
The first hay fever symptoms often emerge in February and may continue through September. However, even during the fall and winter seasons, houseplants, for example, can cause hay fever symptoms.
What is the cause of hay fever?
One of the things we always see in hay fever sufferers is an overactive immune system. Symptoms arise from the release of too much histamine - a body's own antibody that fights foreign substances in the body.
So the body thinks that the pollen coming in is harmful to the body, when it is not. In response, the body then produces too much histamine. This is then secreted through the nasal and/or eye mucosa causing the typical hay fever symptoms. Especially in spring and summer, when everything is in bloom and there are more pollen in the air, people suffer from this.
Advice for hay fever
In hay fever sufferers, there are a number of things that are important to restore health and reduce or eliminate symptoms. We've listed them for you!
Avoiding histamine-rich foods
To ensure that you do not ingest even more histamine, it is wise to avoid foods rich in histamine. Histamine can be found in chocolate, pork, beer, red wine, E-numbers, tomato, kiwi and licorice. So these are best left out.
In addition, you can use nettle in soups, smoothies or a cup of tea. You can also make delicious pesto from it. This is because nettle inhibits the production of histamine.
Foods rich in flavonoids
The foods you do want to eat when suffering from hay fever are rich in flavanoids. Flavanoids have an antihistamine effect, which is something you can put to good use with hay fever symptoms! Consider bell peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, green tea, blue grapes and red fruits.
Another powerful antihistamine is scutellaria. Scutellaria, also known as glow herb, provides relief when pollen is in the air and can be used when symptoms are already present.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Omega 3 fatty acids act as a natural anti-inflammatory. You find omega 3 particularly in fatty fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel. But also in flaxseed, chia seeds and hemp seeds. When your intake of these foods is low, it is advisable to take an omega 3 supplement.
It is also advisable to add onions, garlic, capers, kale and apples with skin to your meals because of the compound quercetin. Quercetin is the most abundant polyphenol in our diet and polyphenols are said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well as inhibiting the production of histamine.
Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory properties. You can use this spice in soups, through curries or as a base for a cup of golden milk, among other things.
Restore the intestinal barrier
Our health is related to our gut health. To strengthen the immune system, it is important to restore the gut microbiome. In doing so, it is very important to maintain a healthy and varied diet. Among other things, eat plenty of vegetables, healthy fats and proteins and add prebiotic foods such as sauerkraut, tempeh, miso soup, kambucha and kefir to your diet to restore your gut microbiome.
Our pre/probiotic supplement contains live bacteria that can also help restore gut health.
Reduce your stress
Not only food and nutrients can support you in fighting your hay fever attacks. Your mental resilience and balance are also of enormous importance.
The more stress you experience, the more susceptible your immune system is to allergies. The more you relax the better off you are. So relaxing is super important! A very small amount of stress can be enough to make you go through the rest of the day sniffling and sneezing. Meditate more often this period, put on your favorite music and go dancing. The better you feel, the less bother you will experience.
Support the immune system with supplements
Due to the overactivity of the immune system, your health is not optimal with hay fever. Therefore, it is even more important to provide your body with extra nutrients.
Want to know which supplements will best support your lifestyle this season? Then request a free supplement consultation with one of our therapists. We'd love to take a look with you!
