More than 50 million people suffer from allergies in the United States, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Allergies are the result of pollen (or other factors) triggering the release of histamine by mast cells. Histamine will cause blood vessels to swell and leak leading to the symptoms of allergies. Histamine also triggers other chemicals that cause inflammation.
Mast cells line the respiratory tract and are also found in the skin which explains why allergy symptoms present as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy watery eyes, wheezing, hives and soft tissue swelling.
Our mast cells are one type of white blood cells. They are found in connective tissues, including your digestive tract, skin, respiratory tract, urinary tract, reproductive organs, surrounding your nerves, and near your blood vessels and lymph vessels.
Your mast cells are such an important part of your immune system because they store various inflammatory mast cell mediators, such as histamine.
If you encounter a substance that triggers an allergic reaction, your mast cells will activate and release histamine and other chemicals, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines and chemokines.
Once released, histamine will bind to histamine receptors causing reactions in your body. This mediator release is part of your body’s natural immune response to protect you from harm.
Your mast cells are necessary for survival and health. However, if you have overactive mast cells, it can lead to mast cell disorders, such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which may result in a variety of symptoms and health issues.
MCAS is a complex health issue that affects various parts of your body. When your mast cells are activated, it leads to the secretion of histamine and other inflammatory mediators, which will lead to unwanted symptoms.
There are various natural and integrative options for allergy relief and prevention, including dietary strategies, lifestyle changes, and supplements.
- Detox Your Body
Help your body detoxify from mold, chemicals, heavy metals, and viruses that can trigger mast cell activation. Drink lots of water to hydrate your body and support detoxification through urine and sweat. Support sweating and detoxing through the skin by infrared sauna use and exercise. Incorporate glutathione to protect your mitochondria from oxidative stress and activated charcoal, which can absorb and eliminate toxins.
- Follow a Low-Histamine Diet
Eat plenty of low-histamine, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense whole foods, such as greens, vegetables, herbs, fruits, eggs, pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed beef, and wild-caught fish. Avoid high-histamine foods that can trigger histamine release.
- Reduce Triggers
Make sure that your home is free of mold. Use a high-quality air filtration system to improve your indoor air. Avoid chemicals, heavy metals, and environmental toxins. Instead of conventional cleaning, body, and beauty products, opt for organic, natural, or homemade options. Choose organic food whenever possible.
- Incorporate Effective Supplements
Decongestants don’t really stop the allergy process. They tighten blood vessels and result in a temporary reduction in the swelling and congestion. Meds such as Sudafed can cause dry mouth and high blood pressure. Ultimately, decongestants should be used sparingly and only as needed for temporary relief of symptoms since they can cause a “rebound” flare of allergy symptoms when stopping after using long term. Saline rinse or Colloidal Silver rinse and spray are more effective and safer for patients.
Natural antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, such as quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin, vitamin C, nettle leaf, luteolin, and N-Acetyl Cysteine are effective at reducing the severity of reactions and preventing histamines from penetrating your defense system.
Quercetin, specifically, is especially effective. It is a flavonoid, which is a type of compound naturally found in plants and plant foods, that inhibits the release of histamine from your immune system, which reduces side effects such as itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and sinus congestion.
Interestingly enough, the plant extract of quercetin is the main ingredient of several potential anti-allergic OTC medications that act as immunomodulators due to their suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These mechanisms make quercetin a common choice for integrative medicine doctors when patients ask about natural remedies for seasonal allergies. You’ll often find quercetin in foods and supplements with bromelain, which is an enzyme that helps increase the bioavailability of quercetin.
- Include IV Therapy Drips
In some cases, your allergy symptoms may be too severe for at-home remedies to have a noticeable effect. Our IV Therapy for seasonal allergies can be one of the best treatment methods because it delivers the fluids, electrolytes, minerals and vitamins your body needs to feel well again. IV Therapy supports your immune system by flushing out the allergens, reducing oxidative stress, boosting vital nutrients and lowering the histamine response. Since IV therapy puts these nutrients directly into the bloodstream, it is an excellent seasonal allergy relief method.
Some common IV therapy ingredients reduce and alleviate symptoms:
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine that prevents your body from releasing histamine. When it encounters histamines, Vitamin C breaks them down faster. As a result, your seasonal allergy symptoms will decrease.
Quercetin: Mast Cell Stabilizer
N-acetylcysteine: In the body, it will get converted to cysteine, needed to make glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that is important for most cells in the body.
Glutathione: Glutathione is an antioxidant that repairs tissue and makes the chemicals and proteins your immune system needs. It reduces your body’s oxidative stress, which can reduce your chances of disease and illness.
Saline: As your body tries to flush out the irritants, you’ll lose fluids through symptoms like watery eyes and a runny nose. You can feel dehydrated as a result. The IV fluid has a 100% absorption rate and provides quick results.
The goal of integrative medicine is to help relieve symptoms and find the underlying triggers of allergies, seasonal and systemic. Our team is here to help provide recommendations, treatments, options and support to patients and guests who are plagued by allergies.
If you’d like more information on how to establish yourself or a family member as a patient, connect with our team. Hope for millions of allergy sufferers is here.
