Ah, summer. The season of sun, fun, and… sneezing? For many, the arrival of summer also means the onset of hay fever and other seasonal allergies. If you’re one of the estimated 26% of UK adults [1] who suffer from hay fever symptoms, you know just how unbearable it can be. But fear not!
There are ways to relieve those allergy symptoms and reduce histamine levels in your body. Let’s dive into some effective strategies to help you enjoy your summer without the sneezes and sniffles.
Why do I get hay fever symptoms?
Millions experience the misery of hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis) – a seemingly harmless reaction to pollen that triggers a cascade of uncomfortable symptoms. But beneath the runny nose and itchy eyes lies a fascinating case of mistaken identity.
Your body has a magnificent immune system, designed to combat viruses and bacteria. However, pollen gets misidentified as a threat. This triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that triggers allergy symptoms such as:
- Runny nose & watery eyes: Histamine stimulates mucous membranes, leading to excessive mucus production – a hallmark symptom of hay fever.
- Itchy everything: Histamine also triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals, causing the frustrating itch in your nose, eyes, and throat.
- Sneezing & coughing: In a valiant (and ultimately futile) attempt to expel the perceived “invader,” your body resorts to forceful sneezes and coughs.
Reducing histamine, reducing symptoms:
By lowering histamine levels, you essentially disrupt the chain reaction, minimising the intensity of the allergic response and its symptoms. There are two main ways to achieve this:
Blocking Histamine Receptors:
Antihistamines, a common allergy medication, bind to histamine receptors, preventing histamine from attaching and triggering its effects. This effectively mutes the conductor, significantly reducing symptoms.
Decreasing Histamine Production or Release:
Certain dietary changes, supplements, or lifestyle modifications might help modulate histamine levels. This could involve reducing foods high in histamine or taking supplements that help regulate the enzymes that break down histamine in your body. However, it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Lower your histamine levels naturally: foods to avoid
High histamine foods and DAO (Diamine Oxidase) blockers can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Removing these foods from your diet can help manage your histamine levels:
- Reheated foods (increases histamine)
- Fish: Frozen, salted, or canned
- Meats: Cured or fermented meats such as salamis, sausages, smoked meats & fish, processed meats
- Fermented foods and drinks: Kefir, kombucha, yoghurt, cheese, kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, fermented soy products such as tempeh, miso, soy sauce, fermented grains such as sourdough bread, aged cheese
- Nuts and Seeds: Cashews, sunflower seeds, walnuts, peanuts
- Vegetables: Mushrooms, spinach, pumpkin, tomato, tomato juice, aubergine, avocado, olives
- Fruits: Citrus fruits, bananas, papaya, dried fruits
- Condiments: Vinegars, mustards, tomato ketchup, sauces that contain vinegar
- Alcohol & Drinks: Beer, wine, black tea, green tea, fresh coffee, energy drinks
- Chocolate: Nope
Lower your histamine levels naturally: foods to eat
- Fresh meat and fish
- Eggs
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially: Broccoli, rocket, sprouts, cauliflower, berries, pomegranate
- Gluten-free pasta (e.g., lentil pasta)
- Nuts and seeds (with lower histamine levels)
- Olive oil
- Herbal teas (e.g., Pukka licorice teas)
- Honey in small doses
Laura's favourite low-histamine power smoothie
This smoothie packs a punch of deliciousness while keeping histamine levels in check, helping you minimise allergic responses.
Ingredients (makes 1 serving, approximately 24 ounces):
- 2 to 3 florets washed broccoli
- 1 cup (250ml) frozen berries
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 handful fresh mint
- 1 handful fresh parsley
- 1 cm peeled fresh ginger
- 5 cm cucumber washed and chopped
- 500ml water (adjust amount for desired consistency)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to your blender or NutriBullet.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy!
Tips:
- Feel free to adjust the amount of water to achieve your preferred consistency.
- You can add a scoop of low-histamine protein powder for an extra boost if tolerated.
- Experiment with other low-histamine fruits like banana (ripe) or mango (ripe).
Taming hay fever for good: reducing histamine levels naturally with Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy is an alternative treatment that has gained attention for its potential health benefits, including relief from allergy symptoms. While more commonly known for its use in treating chronic infections and enhancing immune function, ozone therapy can also play a role in alleviating allergic reactions by supporting the reduction of histamine production or activity.
Ozone therapy involves administering ozone gas (O₃) to the body. Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms and is known for its powerful oxidising properties. In medical treatments, ozone is used in a controlled manner to promote healing and immune system modulation.
Don’t suffer through another summer of hay fever!
Call us today at 01962 217110
or to learn more about how ozone therapy can help you manage your allergies and enjoy a symptom-free summer, click here
How Ozone Therapy can help with allergies
Immune System Modulation:
- Balancing the Immune Response: Ozone therapy can modulate the immune system, helping to balance an overactive immune response, which is often responsible for allergy symptoms. By adjusting the immune system’s activity, ozone therapy can reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
- Reducing Inflammation: Allergies often lead to inflammation in the nasal passages, eyes, and respiratory tract. Ozone therapy has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce this inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
Antioxidant Stimulation:
- Boosting Antioxidant Defences: Ozone stimulates the production of antioxidants in the body. These antioxidants can neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with inflammatory processes in allergic reactions.
Improved Oxygen Utilisation:
- Enhancing Cellular Oxygenation: Ozone therapy can improve the body’s oxygen utilisation at the cellular level. Better oxygenation can enhance overall cellular function and support the body’s ability to handle allergies more effectively.
Methods of Ozone Treatments to help support allergies
The idea behind IV Ozone Therapy is that introducing ozone (O3) into the bloodstream can have:
- Immunomodulatory effects: Helping to modulate the immune system, and reduce its overreaction to allergens like pollen. This could indirectly decrease histamine release.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Ozone can have some anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial for reducing inflammation in the airways associated with allergies.
This method involves delivering a low concentration of ozone gas directly into the nasal cavity.
Compared to traditional nasal sprays, ozone nasal insufflation offers the possibility of a more targeted approach. Since the ozone gas is delivered directly into the nasal cavity, it can act directly on the source of inflammation associated with allergy symptoms like congestion and runny nose.
IHHT involves cycles of exposure to low and high oxygen levels, which are simulated to mimic the effects of altitude training. These cycles can help regulate the body’s stress response and modulate the immune system, leading to an increased chance of reduced allergy symptoms.
REFERENCES:
[1] https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/