Sunday, November 8, 2009
Allergies and Antioxidants
Spring allergies can impact everyone, even if they do not suffer from allergies themselves. Many feel that there is little that can be done to thwart allergies aside from antihistamines and other medications.
However, there is a lot we can do for our allergies through proper care. In part one of this four-part series we will cover the role oxidative stress has during allergy season and what you can do about it.
Poison to the Body and Precursor of Allergies
To understand what oxidation is, let's look at a similar example: the automobile. Imagine that each of the millions of cells in your body are little vehicles running at top speed all day long. They take in fuel, just like a car, and put out exhaust, just like a car. All these millions of tiny cells are taking in fuel from the foods we eat and giving off byproducts in the form of waste matter, most of which is not reusable, every second of every day. Added to this is all the pollution from smog, chemicals, pesticides (on our food and in our environment), and other toxins around us, such as household cleaners and chemical-based body care products.
This waste and pollution is mostly made of free radicals. The free radicals formed are called oxidation, much like rust on metal. Too much of this in the body causes oxidative stress on the cells as they must work while living in it. The only method of getting rid of it is by recycling it. In order to recycle it the body needs antioxidants.
How are Allergies Affected by Antioxidants?
There is only so much stress the body can handle. Too much oxidation from cell waste and pollution in the body causes the immune system to put out an order of protection from further damage and begin attacking any new invaders.
In spring all the pollen, dust, and spores begin to circulate in the air with the warm weather. (Indoor allergy sufferers take note: This concept also applies to indoor dust, cleaning chemicals, and pet dander.)
To make some of this waste matter reusable or to remove it, the body needs to recycle it using antioxidants. Antioxidants bind to the oxidants and pollution in the body. They either enable the body to reuse the cell waste by forming new fuel, or aid in the removal of pollutants safely form the body without causing further damage.
Without antioxidants in the body, the pollution and oxidation begins to build up, and the body begins to break itself down to bind with it, thus causing more oxidation. This is called oxidative stress. The only method preventing oxidation from building up and causing damage to the healthy cells is to consume antioxidant-rich foods on a daily basis.
What to take: Three Main Sources
Taking only one form of antioxidant would be like eating only one type of food. Just as we need a balanced diet to be healthy, we need a balanced intake of antioxidants to support our health and reduce allergies. Each antioxidant has specific purposes in the body. The three main components are Bioflavonoids, Vitamins & Minerals, and Omega fatty acids.
Bioflavonoids are found in rich colorful foods such as Dark Purple Berries, Deep Green Leafy Vegetables, and Green Tea. (To learn more about bioflavonoids click here)
Products containing bioflavonoid antioxidants are:
* Delicious Greens 8000 Mint
* Delicious Greens 8000 Berry
* Delicious Kids Super Food Drink
* Acai Berry Capsules
* Antioxidant-Rich Berry Juices such as Acai, Goji, and Noni
Vitamins and Minerals perform a different role in the body. These are vital to take on a daily basis. You can try several different supplement brands to find out which one you like best! (To learn more about Vitamins & Minerals click here)
Here are Key Vitamin Supplements to take regularly
* Daily Multiples
* Vitamins A & D
* Vitamin B
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* Trace Minerals
Lastly, we have Omega Fatty Acids. While there is much going around in the media today about what Omega Fatty Acids do, very little is said about how they do this. Omega Fatty Acids are linolenic acid based antioxidants. They also bind with free radicals, oxidized fat and cholesterol in the body and bind with toxins and help remove them from the body. (Click here for more information)
These products contain rich healthy sources of
Omega Fatty Acids:
* Omega 3 Fatty Acids
* Omega 6 Fatty Acids
* Hemp Products
* Flax Seed and Oil
* Fish Oils
* Primrose Oil
* Borage Oil
Next in our four part series:
Part 2: What key nutrients/vitamins to take for reducing environmental stress reactions in the body.
Part 3: What supplements to reduce allergy symptoms and why probiotics and enzymes really do work?
Part 4: Nutrition, Diet, Exercise, Sleep, and Weight Loss: How do these affect allergies, and what can you do?
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