Beating Hayfever with Nutrition

Not to be sneezed at...

May sees the arrival of National Walking Month, the time of year when those of us who travel mostly by car are encouraged to take a little walk and feel the fresh air.  With a relatively changeable weather system at the minute it's a pretty good reason not to go outside for fear of being drenched. Walking outside is also something that hay fever sufferers really struggle with at this time of year so this week we're going to focus on managing hay fever symptoms. Roughly 10 million people in the UK suffer from hay fever, that’s 1 in 6 people. This is unsurprising as there seems to be a higher pollen count in the UK compared to other European countries.

When is the pollen count high? It is a good idea to check the pollen count.  There are lots of ways to do that, from the weather updates on the television and radio, a pollen count phone app or on the internet. The pollen count was suspected to peak during the first week of April due to tree and grass pollination, however, we seem to have bought ourselves some time with the April showers. Let’s take advantage of this and get ourselves prepared with a survival kit to help reduce those irritating symptoms of itchiness, sneezing and mind fog.

Who is mainly affected by hay fever? Interestingly it seems that people within the city are more affected by the pollen count. There also appears to be an increase in the amount of people that suffer from hay fever year on year. Possibly due to inner city pollution agitating mucous membrane lining, causing inflammation. This inflammation is further antagonized during spring by pollen acting as a foreign invader to the body. The Rudolf red nose effect A runny nose and congestion are common symptoms of hay fever. Here are a couple of suggestions to reduce the formation and increase the breakdown of mucus. Dairy the Culprit A possible culprit for mucus production is dairy, so much so that actors often aim to avoid it just before a performance to help their vocals clear. Therefore removing dairy from the diet could be an option if excess mucus production is a problem. In situations where it is difficult to avoid diary, a digestive enzyme can help to break down the molecules in dairy, making it less problematic. Pineapple and Papaya Natural digestive enzymes that can also help to breakdown mucus are papain and bromelain found in pineapple and papaya. The added benefit is that these enzymes also help you breakdown food which can help support your digestive system which can be a little sluggish when you are not well. A natural anti-histamine to reduce sneezing, itchy eyes, mouth and throat These symptoms tend to be due to a high histamine response in the nasal passage and skin triggering a sensory response to pollen. Horseradish Start adding fresh horseradish to a salad as it breaks down the mucus preventing a breeding ground for bacteria and most of all stops you feeling foggy and congested. Berries Berries such as bilberries, blueberries and blackberries are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids which support the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and support a healthy immune response.  One flavonoid that is commonly related to a healthy histamine response for hay fever is quercetin, which helps to regulate inflammation in the respiratory tract and relaxes the airways.

Manuka Honey and lemon Having honey and lemon on a daily basis may help bring down the sensitivity of the immune system to pollen when the pollen count is high. Have a healthy week

Products you may find helpful...

BioCare Histazyme Plus provides nutrients to support respiratory health during seasonal changes when pollens and environmental factors place extra pressures on the body’s nutritional requirements. BioCare Quercetin Plus provides a high potency combination of quercetin, bromelain, vitamin C and nettle.

Comvita Manuka Honey has with multiple uses; Comvita Manuka Honey is a great addition to any household. Antiseptic, antiviral and antibiotic. Recommended for the relief of digestive disorders. Comvita Propolis Lemon and Honey Lozenges act as a soothing natural anaesthetic that lubricates the throat and provides unique antibacterial and antioxidant action.

BioCare Muccolyte Plus When mucus is produced in excessive amounts, it generally indicates an underlying problem. The correct diet, improvements in the environment and the addition of specific nutrients in the diet may help support mucus production.