Allergies are considered one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in Australia. More than 20% of the population in industrialised countries suffer from food intolerance or food allergy.
The misery of allergies and reactivity.
People with symptoms of allergy and reactivity experience an inappropriate immune response to what should be a harmless substance in the environment. It could be pollen, a food item, a natural or synthetic chemical, or other product.
For some, environmental allergens such as pollen, grasses and animal dander trigger the allergic response. These allergens irritate the nasal passages causing inflammation, increased mucous production, and symptoms such as itchiness, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose and congestion.
Others may suffer digestive symptoms, either due to insufficient digestive enzymes or another gastointestinal imbalance. These symptoms are often referred to as an imbalance or hypersensitivity; however, it is actually due to an abnormal immune response. These types of immune responses may trigger less ovbious symptoms, such as chronic headaches, sinus congestion, mood changes and energy slumps - some of these symptoms may be sudden, or they may be delayed by house or even days.
So why does your body react this way?
Essentially, your body believes that these otherwise harmless substances (animal hair, foods and grasses) are threatening. Hence, when it comes into contact with these substances, known as allergens, your immune system releases large amounts of the chemical histamine. Histamine is like a burly bouncer outside a club: its job is to muscle an allergen out of your body by any means necessary. Some of the ways histamine does this job is by producing redness and inflammation, a running nose, itchy eyes, constricted airways, bloating and diarrhoea; manifestations of allergic disease.
We need to address the cause.
In allergic conditions (hay fever, eczema etc), the immune system becomes overactive and therefore leading to excess immune activity. Standard treatments for allergies, such as antihistamines, are just a band-aid. They may provide symptomatic relief, however they do very little to address the underlying immune imbalance. Reducing inflammation, restoring balance to the immune system and supporting long-term immune health, are vital for managing symptoms of allergy and reactivity.
Nu-Leaf can help
Practitioners at Nu-Leaf can recommend carefully selected herbs and nutrients, a tailored diet, and lifestyle recommendations that will help reduce your degree of reactivity, support gut health and improve immune tolerance. This approach will help you gain control of your allergy and reactivity symptoms, so you can continue to life the life you enjoy!