5 Natural Remedies For Food Allergies
5 Natural Remedies For Food Allergies. Photos – Pixabay (PD)
In the past few years, more and more people have become allergic to foods they were once perfectly able to eat. Even worse, more and more babies become allergic to nearly every basic food you can think of: cereals, milk, fruit, vegetables, seeds… Just imagine how hard it must be to have a baby who can’t eat pretty much anything. It takes a special diet that not only costs a LOT, but it also needs to be monitored by an adult 24/7. One single mistake can end with yet another rushed trip to the hospital.
It should be quite obvious what the problem is: our food supply is not what it used to be, and it is not what our bodies were designed to assimilate. Consider the presence of GMOs in 70% of supermarket foods and the cocktail of pesticides that are used on non-organic foods. And since there’s no warning on the label, the only way to make sure you’re not feeding your family GMOs is to buy organic (and even so, you can’t be 100% sure they’re GMO-free). But how many of us have the budget for it? Organic food can cost up to 3 times more than regular supermarket food. And growing your own is time-consuming (although worthwhile!)
So what can you do to prevent food allergies from making your life a hell? Here are 5 interesting natural strategies that may be valuable:
#1: Water
This is the first and most important rule. Chronic dehydration is the main cause of allergies and asthma. The problem is people don’t realise they’re dehydrated because they’re used to drinking water only when they’re thirsty. As natural as this may sound, drinking water when you’re thirsty is not enough. Remember, your body is 70% water for a reason and you’d better keep it that way.
Your daily water intake should be half your body weight in ounces. For example, a 140 lb woman should drink 70 oz of water a day (8-10 glasses). That may seem like a lot when you start this “water diet”, but stick to it and it will soon become a habit. The healthiest habit you’ve ever had.
#2: Organic salt
There are certain organic foods and spices that you should invest in if you want to prevent or ameliorate food allergies. Salt is the most important of all.
To understand why salt is crucial in preventing allergies and asthma, you need to understand how your body works. Here’s what Foodmatters has to say on the matter:
“Allergies occur when the immune system produces antibodies against substances in the environment (allergens) that are usually harmless. These substances can include pollens, dust, foods, cosmetics, etc.
The body produces antibodies to neutralize the foreign substance, which triggers the release of histamine, which produces what we see as allergies or asthma. As allergies are a result of the histamine inflammatory system we need to first address the body’s hydration levels and intake of adequate whole salts.”
I advise you to buy organic sea salt or unrefined Himalayan. You can find it in supermarkets or in bio-eco stores. Don’t buy it in bulk. You don’t need to upgrade your salt intake, just change its quality. That’s enough to keep your allergies in control.
#3: Omega-3 fatty foods
I hope you love fish, because you should be eating lots of it. Add some walnuts, hard boiled eggs, and flaxseed oil and you’ve got a real anti-allergenic diet here. If possible, eat fish at least three times a week (Please, check where the fish comes from. If it’s a Fukushima related area, don’t eat it!). On the other hand, you shouldn’t eat hard-boiled eggs more than three times a week. A balanced diet is the key to a healthy living.
#4: Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle acts pretty much the same as an antihistamine, but it spares you from that nasty drowsiness you get from drugs. It’s 100% natural and widely available in the U.S., in many forms. You’ve got capsules, teas and tinctures you choose from and see which one works best for you.
You can either take some form of stinging nettle extract or tea on a daily (300 mg, a cup of tea, or 5 drops of tincture) or use it only when your allergies are acting out. The effect will only last for a few hours, but you can get a new dose when the effect wears off. It’s a natural remedy, so there are no side effects; however, don’t exaggerate. 10 capsules a day or drinking 4 gallons of stinging nettle tea cannot do you any good. If your allergy is that bad, go to the hospital.
#5: Warm water and lemon juice
It’s not the first time I recommend drinking a glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon every morning. It flushes toxins out of your body, boosts your immune system, gives you energy, helps with digestion… and also keeps your allergies under control, especially if you add a teaspoon of honey to the mix, as well.
But here’s one word of advice: don’t buy honey from the supermarket. It’s far from being natural, quite possibly adulterated with HFCS and it will only make your allergies worse. Contact your local beekeeper’s association. Buy local. You’ll see what REAL honey tastes like. I guarantee you’ll be eating it with a spoon, straight from the jar.
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5 Natural Remedies For Food Allergies. Photos – Pixabay (PD)