Allergy Adventures: Finding Balance Naturally

Too many of us know that when the seasons change allergies can be a nuisance! These allergies are essentially an exaggerated response of the immune system to otherwise harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. You might find yourself running to grab tissues each time the seasons change, and if you live in the Midwest, that might be three times in one week! 

We often hear from our patients that when they’re dealing with runny noses, congestion and similar allergy-related symptoms with the constant change of the weather around this time, they feel the need to run for something to mask or manage these symptoms if they get too nasty. Although allergy meds and over the counters seem to be a common remedy, there are several holistic approaches to address allergies at their core and help minimize these reactions in the body versus masking the symptoms while your body fights. By focusing on underlying causes like gut health, inflammation, stress, and environmental factors, holistic methods aim to restore balance in the body and reduce allergic reactions while avoiding medications and their potential side effects.  Thus we create a healthy body, not just a symptom free body!   

Go with Your Gut 

Gut health plays a pivotal role in immune system function, which can greatly impact

your response to allergies since nearly 70% of the immune system resides in the gut. When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced—due to poor diet, stress, or antibiotic use—the immune system starts to overreact to allergens. Incorporating fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha, along with prebiotic-rich foods like bananas and onions, can promote a balanced microbiome. Studies indicate that probiotics may help alleviate allergic rhinitis by modulating immune responses (Nielsen et al., 2019), providing a powerful tool in managing allergy symptoms.  

Our favorite probiotic for adults, kiddos AND babies is by Klaire Labs.  If you can’t find it, we can upload it to your Fullscript portal for easy ordering! 

A System on Fire 

Chronic inflammation also contributes to allergic responses, making an anti-inflammatory diet a critical component of holistic allergy management. Foods like turmeric, ginger, leafy greens, and omega-3-rich wild caught salmon are known to reduce systemic inflammation. Antioxidants such as those found in fruits and vegetables may stabilize mast cells, the cells responsible for releasing histamine during allergic reactions, which is the body’s direct response to those allergens that cause all those yucky symptoms we find ourselves dealing with.  We also need to reduce inflammatory foods.  Foods that are heavily processed, contain seed oils, and also added gums and sugars are highly inflammatory to our bodies and will contribute to the overall allergen load.  Eliminating some, or all of these food sources can drastically reduce your body’s reaction to incoming allergens.  

All Stressed Out 

Stress is another factor that can exacerbate allergies. Elevated cortisol levels, a hallmark of chronic stress, can disrupt immune function and worsen allergic reactions. Mind-body practices such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can lower stress and bolster immunity. A 2020 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry demonstrated that mindfulness significantly reduced seasonal allergy symptoms over an eight-week period!  Simple journaling, taking some time to just look out the window while you drink your morning cup of coffee, or putting your phone away while you play with your kiddos may be just the ticket to reducing your runny nose!  

It's All in What You Inhale 

Environmental factors should also be considered. Toxins in cleaning products and poor air quality can burden the immune system, increasing sensitivity to allergens. When your body is responding to so many sources of inhaled insults, it drastically increases the response it has to mount, making a simple increase in outdoor pollen seem you’re your worst enemy.  The solution is to reduce what you can; we obviously can’t prevent the flowers from blooming and the grass from growing BUT we can control many of our indoor environments! Switching to natural cleaning products, using HEPA filters, and incorporating air-purifying indoor plants like snake and spider plants or peace lilies can improve the home environment and provide relief naturally.   

Our favorite cleaning supply is Force of Nature, as effective as bleach with ZERO chemicals! 

A Well Oiled Machine 

All this sounds great, but it’s only so good as your body is able to function. Chiropractic care offers an intriguing avenue for allergy management, because the spine and nervous system control essential bodily functions, including immune responses. Spinal misalignments, known as subluxations, may disrupt communication between the brain and the immune system, potentially heightening allergic reactions. Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct these misalignments, restoring nervous system function and improving the body’s ability to handle allergens.   

The holistic approach to allergies moves beyond symptom relief to address their root causes. Strengthening the gut, reducing inflammation, managing stress, detoxifying the environment, and optimizing nervous system function through chiropractic care are all valuable strategies for creating a body that is less reactive to allergens. Integrating these techniques into a personalized allergy management plan provides a well-rounded pathway to relief and empowers us to live healthier lives.   

A Quick Fix 

We know that some of these strategies take time, and that your red itchy eyes and nose that has started to resemble a faucet need relief now!  Here are our top supplement recommendations to reduce allergy symptoms and load naturally! 

1. Xlear sinus spray – helps reduce inflammation, clear out allergens and excess mucous 

2. D-Hist (and D-Hist Jr) – a natural antihistamine 

3. Quercetin – aids body in allergy response 

4. Milk Thistle – aids the liver in processing allergens 

5. Breathe Strips – adding nasal strips overnight can reduce congestion and help with sleep 

6. DAO enzymes – if your allergies are really bad, you might just need these enzymes to take with food that will ensure that what you eat isn’t increasing your daily symptoms 

Here are some actionable takeaways for you to start implementing holistic approaches to allergies today:  

1. Try out a new recipe: Start incorporating gut-friendly, anti-inflammatory foods into your daily diet. Take a look at these 17 different recipes and to add to your weekly menu: 17 Gut-Healthy Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less OR Take a look at these kid friendly recipes and add a couple to your dinner menu: 20 Easy Paleo Dinners for Weeknights - The Paleo Running Momma  

2. Decrease your stress: easing off just a little while your body is working overtime, or adding in a mindfulness activity such as meditation or mild yoga may give your body just enough boost to regulate its response 

These straightforward strategies are easy to implement and can make a meaningful difference in managing allergy symptoms holistically. If you need extra adjustments around this time of year just let us know and we’ll get you in our schedule!