The Respiratory System

Lesson 11, Page 8 of 19

The symptoms of allergies are brought about when the body releases certain chemicals, including histamine, as a response to being exposed to an allergen.

Seasonal Allergies

Many people experience their allergy symptoms during the "allergy season," when plants are releasing pollen into the air. This type of allergy is often referred to as "hay fever." There are two such seasons, the Spring and the Fall, with the Spring being the worst time of the year for the greatest number of people.

Allergy sufferers often find that they can reduce their symptoms by decreasing their intake of "junk foods"—foods that are high in saturated fats, simple sugars, and salt—and by increasing their intake of healthy foods which are rich in antioxidants and high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables. Of the three culprits mentioned, the greatest problems seem to come from saturated fats—the kind of fats found in most "fast foods" and processed foods; although for many individuals the greatest problem seems to be sugar and other refined carbohydrates (most bakery goods.) "Junk Foods," containing large amounts of fat and sugar increase the body's production of histamine, which mediates inflammatory and allergic reactions.

Periodic cleansing is also essential for allergy sufferers. The average North American consumes four to five pounds of chemical food additives each year, hidden in their foods. The body can not eliminate all of this material, especially when we do not consume enough fiber (which few Americans do.) As a result, many of these chemicals are stored in the body tissues and organs, particularly the liver. The immune system becomes hypersensitive and eventually it and the liver becomes overworked and their performance is adversely effected. Cleansing helps the body get rid of toxins and chemical irritants. We recommend that everyone do a two week cleanse, twice a year, in the Spring and again in the Fall, even if you do not suffer from allergy symptoms.

     Hista-Block,® an "herbal anti-histamine" as the name implies, provides temporary relief from allergy symptoms. Hista-Block is a powerful combination of stinging nettle, quercetin, bromelain and immature orange peel (which contains synephrine.) This formula provides antioxidant strength to maintain stable mast cells and supports the body's efforts to maintain normal mucous membranes, keeping nasal passages open. Take 2 capsules with a meal twice daily.          


True or False:
Although there is obviously a link between diet and food allergies, medical science has never shown that there is a link between diet and seasonal allergies.

True
False

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