HAY FEVER
Even though allergic reactions to pollen are the identified cause of hay fever, other factors make one person more likely to sneeze than another. The incidence of hay fever has risen dramatically in cities compared to rural areas, which led to the discovery that pollutants such as exhaust fumes prime the immune system to react. During the summer the air in polluted areas contains more free radicals due to the action of sunlight on oxygen molecules, so city-dwellers breathe in more pollutants. Taking a good all-¬round antioxidant supplement containing vitamins A, C and E, betacarotene, selenium and zinc, plus the amino acids cysteine, cysteine or glutathione, helps increase your resistance (the most effective form of these amino acids is N-Acetyl Cysteine, sometimes called Viridian NAC, and ‘reduced’ glutathione). The amino acid methionine, in combination with calcium, is an effective anti-histamine. You need to take 500mg of l-methionine with 400mg of calcium twice a day. Vitamin C helps to control excessive histamine levels. Vitamin B6 and zinc have a role to play in balancing histamine levels and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin B5 helps reduce symptoms.
The three most common substances reacted to are pollen, wheat and milk. Although there is no proven connection, it is interesting to note that all these are originally grass products. It may be that some hay fever sufferers become sensitised to proteins that are common to grains, grasses and possibly milk. In any event, dairy products encourage mucus production. Similarly, modern strains of wheat are high in gluten, which irritates the digestive tract and stimulates mucus production.
Diet advice
Avoid or at least limit wheat, dairy products and alcohol. Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, plus seeds rich in selenium and zinc. Consume Local Honey or small amounts of potent manuka honey to minimise inflammation and bacterial level of congested area. Where possible, avoid exposure to pollen and traffic fumes.
Supplements
• 2 x Multivitamin and multimineral (providing B6 100mg and zinc 15mg)
• 2 x Antioxidant complex
• 3 × Vitamin C 1,000mg
If you are really suffering try . . .
• L-methionine 500mg twice a day
• Calcium 400mg twice a day
• Pantothenic acid 500mg twice a day