Hello Allergy Season!

Tip of the Week # 5

The trees are blooming, cats are shedding, and the air is blowing this wonderful spring mix right in your direction! Well, before you buy that family-size box of allergy pills, try a few foods first.  So basically when your body goes into attack mode, it is because your immune cells release histamines. The inflammation swells your nasal passages and signals a release of fluids, sneezing, and itchy eyes and throat . The foods that may help you are ones that either reduce the inflammation or calm down your immune response. So what’s on the menu for you allergy sufferers? Salmon: The omega 3 helps minimize inflammation. Garlic: (What can’t garlic do…really?) Some studies have found a connection between some antioxidants and a lower incidence of hay fever. Onions: It contains quercetin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and helps to prevent the release of histamine. Well, this sounds like a meal to me!

Things to avoid: Red meat contains a great deal of arachidonic acid which induces inflammation. Red wine is a no-go too. Although it has great benefits, the skin of the grapes contains histamines. Try a white. It goes better with your salmon anyway!

Now go soak up some sun!