Sneezing in Vain

March 28, 2006 :- Many people take a grin-and-bear-it approach to allergies, figuring if they can just get through another pollen season they'll be fine. Many think that if they take an antihistamine to stop the runny nose or ease the hives they have "fixed" the problem. Others are never diagnosed at all, and chalk up their misery to a lingering cold or sore throat. However, research increasingly suggests that in leaving allergies and accompanying inflammation untreated, you may be doing serious harm to your health.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Neglecting allergy-related inflammation in the nasal passages can directly lead to inflammation in the sinuses and lungs, and problems such as sinusitis, ear infections, bronchitis and asthma. These sites in the body are all physically linked, and their relationship is quite clear. But scientists are also beginning to connect the dots and take a closer look at less direct relationships. Inflammation lies at the root of many of the most common -- and serious -- diseases and conditions of our time, including heart disease, autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis), Alzheimer's disease, aging and cancer. Could allergic inflammation in some way play a role in these?

According to John Hibbs, ND, a senior clinician at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Kenmore, Washington, we're just beginning to understand the far-reaching impact of allergies and inflammation on the whole body. Chemical messengers called cytokines are released by the body in response to allergies and circulate throughout the body. These same chemicals play a crucial role in other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including the ones mentioned above... so it is theoretically possible that shutting down their activity vis-a-vis allergies may help prevent or lessen the severity of other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Hibbs acknowledges that this is still an implied rather than proven connection, but logically it makes sense. Further research will help us finish connecting the dots and get the full picture.

REVERSING THE TREND -- THE NATUROPATHIC APPROACH

In the meantime, we know a lot about reversing inflammatory trends and controlling allergies. As a naturopathic physician, Dr. Hibbs does not focus on conventional treatments such as allergy shots and antihistamines. Instead, he advises that you take steps to strengthen your whole body. In so doing, you will promote wellness and increase your resistance not only to allergies but to all inflammatory disease. Dr. Hibbs recommends that you...

Reduce your total immunogen load. This means avoiding not only specific allergens but all compounds that have a negative impact on the immune system, such as industrial chemicals, pollutants, preservatives, pesticides, etc. These disruptive substances cause the development of more reactivity in general, explains Dr. Hibbs.

Eat six to eight cups of fresh organic vegetables daily. Veggies are packed with fiber, which absorbs toxins like a sponge and sends them out of the body with stool, explains Dr. Hibbs. They also contain inflammation-fighting antioxidants (as do fruits such as blueberries and strawberries).

Eat fish three times a week. Deep-water fish such as salmon (fresh water, not farmed) or sardines are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines. If you don't eat fish, take a 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg fish oil supplement daily. (Caution: If you take a blood-thinning medication such as warfarin, speak to your doctor before taking fish oil supplements.)

Avoid sugar, red meat, refined grains (wheat in particular), fried foods, alcohol, caffeine and food additives. These all stimulate inflammation. In addition, dairy provokes congestion and other respiratory symptoms in many people, so it is best to avoid that as well.

Identify and eliminate foods to which you know you are sensitive or allergic. Common problem foods are dairy and wheat (as mentioned above), corn, eggs, beef, yeast and soy. While peanut is also a common allergic food, most people with food allergies know to stay away.

Heal the gut. Modern science is finally getting on board and validating the practice of healing the intestines, says Dr. Hibbs. If you have what is known as a "leaky gut," characterized by irritable bowel syndrome, dermatitis, frequent colds or persistent allergies, the intestine is not intact... it's not properly regulating and controlling foods and beverages that enter the system from the outside world. A leaky gut can be diagnosed and treated by a naturopathic physician.

If you suffer from indigestion, Dr. Hibbs recommends... 

1. Take digestive herbs called bitters before meals. For example, dandelion root (taraxacum) and gentian help stimulate weak, sluggish digestion.

2. Take capsules of digestive enzymes commonly containing betaine hydrochloride or pepsin. These literally get your juices flowing, correcting lowered secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and expediting digestion.

3. During meals, drink water in moderation only. This avoids dilution of vital stomach acid. Consider reducing salt to reduce thirst.

4. Avoid antacids. They may provide short-term relief but actually make your problems worse in the long run.

Get a good balance of exercise and sleep. Factors such as sleep deprivation and stress make you more prone to inflammation and immune disorders, notes Dr. Hibbs. To meet important health goals, such as stress control and weight management, make sure to incorporate adequate exercise and rest into your lifestyle.

When the body sees its level of fat decreasing, its inflammatory signals start to turn off. Even shedding a few excess pounds can help. Regular exercise also reduces stress, which, like allergies, sets cytokines in motion.

The bottom line: We still don't know all there is to know about allergies, but it is becoming increasingly apparent that they may cause not only short-term discomfort but long-term damage. To ward off allergies and other inflammatory attacks, your best defense is to take good care of yourself in both body and mind.

Be well, Carole Jackson, Bottom Line's Daily Health News

Sources:

Sneezing in Vain

John Hibbs, ND, senior clinician, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Kenmore, Washington.

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