Suffering From Seasonal Allergies?

The Impact of Climate Change May Make Your Ragweed and Hay Fever Allergies Worse.

We sat down with New London Pharmacy’s Nutritionist in residence Vincent DeGaetano to find out how to lessen the effects of allergy symptoms.

Vincent recommends you avoid things like red meat. Red meat consumption produces arachidonic acid, cytokines and leukotrines, enzymes that cause your immune system to react with allergic inflammation. If you are already inflamed, your seasonal allergies may force your body’s natural defenses into overdrive making you allergy symptoms unbearable.

If you want to help your body keep inflammation down, Vincent says that these are the best foods and supplements to help your body:

Eat foods rich in Omega-3

Fish: Salmon, Cod, Mackarel, and Herring

Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews

Use cold pressed Flaxseed Oil or Evening Primrose oil as both contain high levels of Vitamin E which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight off allergic inflammation.

Vitamin C either by food or in supplement form will provide you with anti-inflammatory benefits. If you take a supplement, DeGaetano suggests 500 mg up to 3x per day.

Bromelain, which is derived from Pineapple stems has excellent anti-inflammatory effects. It is available in a pill form and you can safely take 1,000 mg once a day.

Whether you use it in your cooking, or take it in pill form, Tumeric is well-known for keeping inflammation at bay. If you take a supplement, 250-1000 mg once a day is enough and is best taken with food for maximum absorption.

There are some other helpful hints to help you make it though the season:

Stay inside on high pollen days

Keep your windows closed

Shower at night to avoid bringing pollens into your to bed, make sure to wash your hair that can trap allergens

Change your clothes after a day outside

Have your home tested for mold and allergens

Remove window coverings and rugs

Change your pillowcases often

Drive with your windows closed on high pollen days

And… always follow your Doctor’s instructions if you need to take allergy medicine.