How to get ahead of allergy season

Spring has sprung and while some look out their windows and see beautiful budding blossoms, others have the same view only to see miserable symptoms and long days ahead – allergy season is upon us!

An allergy is an overaggressive immune response that can be triggered by consuming certain foods, touching substances or inhaling irritants like pollen, mold, dust or animal dander.

When we suffer from allergies, it is easy to focus our attention solely on the symptoms we’re experiencing – congestion, asthma, brain fog, irritability, fatigue, itchy eyes, etc. Over the counter medication may provide you with short-term relief but remember, they do not treat the allergy – they simply suppress the symptom. Instead, we encourage you to take a step back and focus your attention not on your symptoms but on the root issue that may be causing those symptoms.

Allergies are commonly associated with weak adrenals, compromised immunity, digestive issues and sluggish detox pathways. If we’re able to support these functions through proper supplementation, stress reduction, good nutrition and lifestyle changes you may find your seasonal allergies (not to mention overall health) become more manageable!

Did you know, researchers have found a link between seasonal allergies and gut health? One of the best ways to support your body through allergy season is to feed it with supportive foods.

Some of the best allergy supportive foods to consume include:

• Garlic
• Dark leafy greens (i.e. kale, chard, spinach, arugula)
• Lemons
• Local honey and bee pollen
• Gluten free grains
• Bone broth
• Probiotic-rich foods (i.e. kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, apple cider vinegar, kefir)

As we head into allergy season, make it a goal to incorporate at least one of these foods into your daily diet so you can thrive from the inside out!