Hay Fever affects 15 – 20% of the population in the United Kingdom and is the most common of allergic conditions. If you are a hay fever sufferer, you’ll know that the symptoms of sneezing, wheezing, itchy streaming eyes, a blocked or runny nose, headaches and drowsiness can range from mild to debilitating.

Hay fever is medically known as ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis.’ It causes an inflammation and irritation in the delicate linings of the nasal passage, throat and eyes. We tend to think of the hay fever season as the sunshine months from May to July, but for those who suffer from it the pollen season just seems to run and run. It begins when tree pollens are released at the end of January and rounds off in October with weed pollens and fungal spores. For most people however, the period between May and August is worst as this is when grass pollen is released, which affects 90 per cent of hay fever sufferers.

 

Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to the allergen pollen. When pollen particles are breathed in the body’s immune system overreacts, as it believes it to be a harmful substance. The body then produces an antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight it off. The IgE antibody stimulates the release of certain chemicals, in particular histamine, to flush the pollen out of the airways. It is this process, which causes the many symptoms associated with hay fever.

 

For reasons that aren’t completely understood, allergic conditions such as hay fever have become increasingly common in Western countries. Under normal circumstances, the immune system produces antibodies to defend your body against harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. In fact, some exposure to these organisms may be necessary to stimulate the immune system’s proper development. But in an environment where disinfectants and antibiotics are commonly used, such organisms may be in short supply. Your immune system may instead produce antibodies against usually harmless substances such as pollen and other allergy causing substances such as mould, dust mites and pet dander, resulting in the development of allergies.

 

Although there are ways to control the symptoms and minimise your exposure to pollen, taking early preventive steps in March and April can greatly reduce your symptoms in peak season. For some people conventional medications and treatments simply are not effective, or their system just cannot tolerate the side effects, natural remedies may be an alternative option.

 

A spoonful of honey

 

A dessertspoon of local honey every day for up to eight weeks before your symptoms usually start can build a resistance to trace pollens. The honey should be unfiltered and cold-pressed as heat processing destroys the pollen. Alternatively, if you are not allergic to bee stings try a bee pollen product. Bee pollen contains 96 essential nutrients as well as minerals and amino acids. It is reputed to enhance immune function and reduce the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies.

 

Acupuncture

 

Acupuncture, is a drug free alternative for allergy relief. It has been shown to be effective, even for people with allergies that are difficult to cure. Inserting the simulating needles in the sinus areas of the face seems to help improve the immune system’s response to allergens. It is not a quick fix; it can take up to 10 sessions before you notice improvement.

 

Herbs for prevention

 

Echinacea reduces your allergic response and is renowned for strengthening body defences against allergies. Take every day for six weeks before you expect symptoms to start. Continue to take as required.  (See Echinacea Complex on the Resources Page.

 

Nettle tea nourishes the whole body, helps to clear mucus, and is thought to have antihistamine properties. Use 1tsp of chopped fresh leaves to a cup of boiling water or try packaged nettle tea bags and drink a cup three times a day

 

Elderflower or eyebright tea can help clear catarrh. Add 1tsp of the dried herb to a cup of boiling water and infuse for ten minutes. Drink one cup three times a day. Use cold eyebright tea to bathe irritated eyes.

 

Other supplements

 

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids may bolster the immune system and act as a natural antihistamine. A study at Arizona State University showed allergy sufferers who starting taking 500mg of vitamin C a day and increased the dose to 2,000mg a day over a six-week period reduced their histamine levels by 40 per cent (see Vitamin C Plus on the Resources Page, which is an alkaline vitamin C rather than acid). 

 

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in onions, red wine and the supplement ginkgo biloba. It appears to help hay fever by inhibiting the histamine release that causes allergy symptoms. Look for an anti-allergy supplement complex containing quercetin, vitamin C and other herbal antihistamines such as nettle (see Quercetin Plus on the Resources page which contains quercetin, bromelain, nettle and vitamin C).

 

OPC extract (oligomeric procyanidins) is a powerful antioxidant compound derived from pine bark and grape seeds. Among its many talents this nutritional superstar appears to strengthen the immune system and prevent histamine release.

 

Essential oils: If the worst happens and you do experience some allergy symptoms, essential oils can help to relieve the misery. Try six drops of chamomile, frankincense or Scots pine essential oil in your morning or evening bath to ease breathing. During the day sprinkle three drops of eucalyptus or lavender on to a tissue and inhale as required.

 

Indian Head Massage

 

Indian Head Massage, based on Ayurvedic healing system has been practiced in India for over 4000 years and may help with sinus problems, allergies and hay fever, with the added benefit of calming the emotions. You can give yourself a very soothing Ayurvedic massage at home in just a few minutes. To help clear clogged sinuses, warm up a small amount of organic sesame oil, using your fingers, massage along the top of your cheekbones, and across your forehead. The massage should last a few minuets or until you fill relief. Also with your fingers, use long strokes from your temporal mandibular joint (located just in front of your ear) on down your neck. You can use the sesame oil, to swab your nostrils daily, it is extremely soothing to inflamed nasal lining.

 

Reduce exposure to allergens

 

It’s not possible to completely avoid allergens, but you can reduce your signs and symptoms by minimising your exposure to them.

 

To prevent hay fever, try the following tips:

 

• Keep doors and windows shut at home and in your car on high pollen count days.
• Don’t hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Wear sunglasses or glasses when outdoors.
• Avoid mowing or weeding the lawn in the summer and avoid lying on freshly cut grass.
• Apply a thin layer of Vaseline just inside nostrils to trap pollen.
• Wash your clothes after going out, as pollen can stick to your garments.
• Keep your bedding clean.
• Shower or bathe before going to bed to wash off pollen in your hair and on your skin.
• Avoid going outdoors in the early evening and early morning when the pollen count is usually at its highest.

 

To prevent allergic reactions to mould and dust mites try the following:

 

• Dust and vacuum your house regularly to minimise the presence of dust and therefore the dust mite.
• Use special allergy free bed and pillow coverings.
• Hot wash all bedding at least once a week.
• Keep your bedroom cool during the night and well aired during the day.
• Avoid having pets but if you do, bathe them regularly, keep them outside and never allow them in the bedroom. Close doors and windows during pollen season.
• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce indoor humidity.
• Consider removing carpeting, especially where you sleep, if you’re highly sensitive to dust mites.

This month’s case study is 40 year old ‘Anne’ who came to the Clinic with menstrual migraines

I had suffered with menstrual migraines most my adult life. The migraines would start 5 days before my period and they would affect my speech and vision and I would experience a numb sensation down my arm. These symptoms were debilitating and I would have to take a cocktail of strong painkillers to get me through.

Over the years I was finding that I was becoming resistant to many of the migraine drugs so I would have to keep trying new ones. Another side effect I experienced was I would then get what felt like a ‘rebound’ migraine which was even worse than the first. It had got to the point that I was fed up with feeling like this every month and realising that all I was doing by taking the painkillers was masking the underlying cause. I read a magazine article on hormone imbalance and nutrition. I knew my migraines were affected my by hormones because they always came at the same time each month.

 

In the past I had tried a few natural remedies and changed my diet, but at this stage I decided to seek professional help because there was clearly something I had been overlooking.

 

I phoned The Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and booked an appointment in the London clinic which was easy for me to get to from work. I was sent a Nutritional Questionnaire that I was asked to complete and return before my first appointment to allow the nutritionist time to review it.

 

It was very comprehensive asking for information about my medical history, including drugs I was taking, symptoms and most importantly my diet!  As I went through the questionnaire, I soon realised that migraines were not my only problem. I had to underline symptoms that I frequently suffered with and this included mouth ulcers, bloating and constipation. I felt like I was falling apart!

 

My first consultation was one hour and the nutritionist took a detailed medical history and talked about my migraines in depth – it was quite refreshing because usually when I saw my GP there was no explanation of why I was getting these recurrent migraines and certainly no advice apart from taking drugs.  She explained that headaches are one the most common premenstrual symptoms and usually triggered by low levels of oestrogen or fluctuating hormones, making us more sensitive to headaches.

 

Some 80 per cent of migraine sufferers stop having headaches when they become pregnant, so there is an obvious correlation there. Aside from hormone imbalance, other triggers are inflammation, low levels of essential fats and low magnesium, plus food sensitivity. The nutritionist explained that I had to pay particular attention to my blood sugar, because missing meals or eating irregularly can actually trigger a migraine at any time, but especially premenstrually, when we are more sensitive to those fluctuations.

 

One main observation from my diet was lack of protein, which meant that I was eating mostly carbohydrates which are not favourable for keeping blood sugar levels stable. The nutritionist explained the importance of eating some protein (fish, eggs, pulses, nuts and seeds, quinoa) with every meal and every snack to help keep my blood sugar on an even keel. She also noticed that I was going longer than 3 hours without food which again is not ideal for keeping blood sugar stable.

 

Because of the hormonal link with my menstrual migraines the nutritionist recommended a test to actually see what was going on with my hormones throughout my cycle but mostly important in the few days running up to my period. The Female Hormone Test analyses levels of oestrogen and progesterone over the menstrual cycle. It was a really easy test to perform because it was via saliva and was performed at home.

 

The nutritionist gave me some excellent meal suggestions and a menu planner which was very inspirational! Although I thought I was eating well, this made me realise there was definitely room for improvement! The main recommendation was to avoid wheat, more so for the bloating and constipation and mouth ulcers, but there has been some correlation between migraines and wheat sensitivity.

 

I also had to eat every 3 hours and always think about eating sufficient protein. To make this easier she asked me to keep a food diary so I could keep a check on this. I would often just have toast for breakfast, vegetable soup for lunch and tomato based pasta sauce for dinner so some days there was no protein at all! Keep a food diary also made me eat more green vegetables which I knew I had found difficult. The dark green vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage are rich in magnesium which is so important for migraines. It is natural muscle relaxant so a deficiency can cause the blood vessels in the brain to go into spasm and then trigger a migraine.

 

The nutritionist also suggested some supplements including a good multi vitamin and mineral to provide me with a foundation of nutrients, fish oil to reduce inflammation and additional magnesium. She also recommended the mineral chromium which helps blood sugar stability. We talked about herbs like Angus Castus and Milk Thistle but she they weren’t added at this stage because she didn’t want them to interfere with the results of the Female Hormone Test. She explained that once the results from the test were back she could be more specific as to which herbs would be best. 

 

I was so motivated to get started with the programme because I felt I really understood why I had to eat certain foods and exclude others and how important it was to balance my meals with protein and carbohydrate. I think that if you have the knowledge and you understand how food essentially is medicine, it makes you more able to change and want to be more proactive. I thought it was going to be harder avoiding the wheat but in fact I was really amazed at how easy it was! All the supermarkets are well stocked with alternatives and even sandwich bars offered an alternative. Within the first week I experienced a definite reduction in bloating and my bowels were opening every day. The magnesium supplement also helped by bowels to relax which eases the constipation.

 

In conjunction with the diet and supplements I was collecting my saliva samples ready to send back at the end of my cycle for analysis. I was really excited about what this was going to show. I felt really confident in the fact that this test was being used to determine the best herbs for me, rather than just giving a ‘blanket’ treatment as I had all too often experienced by going to the GP.

 

I had my follow up consultation 6 weeks after and the nutritionist went through the results from the Female Hormone test. The main observation was totally erratic oestrogen and progesterone in the week leading up to my period. Based on this she added a supplement called Agnus Castus Plus which contains Agnus Castus, Black Cohosh, Skull Cap and Milk Thistle. She explained that taking herbs in a formulation is more nurturing and balancing on the menstrual cycle. The Milk Thistle is important for liver function and how it processes the hormones plus a healthy liver is more able to break down certain foods that might trigger a migraine. She also explained the importance of supporting the liver with people taking drugs which are a huge burden on the liver.

 

By the end of the first 6 weeks I had had one period and the migraines were definitely less intense and only lasted for 3 instead of 5 days. My digestion had improved and I had not had a single mouth ulcer though I was still having to take my migraine drug, At my second follow up, which was another 6 weeks on I was feeling fantastic and my migraines were even less intense and really felt more like a headache. I no longer had blurred vision or numbness in my arm and best of all I only had to take one painkiller throughout the 3 days. I couldn’t believe how some relatively simple dietary changes and nutritional supplements could make such a difference. I just wish I had gone down this route sooner.

 

Marilyn’s Comment

 

This case shows just how important it is to fuel our bodies with good nutrients which naturally have a medicinal affect without having to take a cocktail of drugs.

 

Ann had been taking some very strong migraine drugs, using them almost as a ‘prop’ to just get her though that 5 day window before her period. It is understandable that so many people, just like Ann get caught up in this drug cycle because it is the easier option, but it gets to the point when the body becomes immune to the drugs and realise that all they are doing is dealing with the symptom and not the cause.

 

Although Ann said that she wishes she had made changes sooner – it is never too late to change.

 

‘You are what you eat’ as the saying goes, so next time you have a headache or perhaps digestive problems like constipation or diarrhea, listen to your body and take a look at what you are putting in it. Try keeping a food diary for a couple of weeks to keep you focused and you can really learn so much about how your body processes different foods and what impact they have on your body.

 

If you are interested in having the Female Hormone Test mentioned here please see the the Resource Page.

 

Fat in general has a bad reputation, and many women trying for a baby tend to avoid it as a matter of course, although it is the saturated fats, found in animal meat, dairy and processed food that are harmful, and which contribute to weight gain and reduced fertility. Omega 3 fatty acids (found in oily fish and flaxseed oils) and omega-6 fatty acids (evening primrose and starflower oils) on the other hand, play a crucial role in fertility and the development of a healthy baby. Scientists have looked at their role in pregnancy and found they are absolutely vital for the healthy brain, eyes and nervous system development of a growing baby

Fatty acids are the basic building blocks of all fats and oils. Some of these can be made by the body, while others cannot. The ones the body cannot make, and must therefore be obtained through the diet, are known as Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). They are known as Essential Fatty Acids because without them we die and if you don’t eat enough essential fatty acids reproductive hormone production and your fertility will almost certainly be compromised. Symptoms of deficiency include dry skin, dry hair, depression, poor concentration, weight gain, loss of libido and menstrual irregularity. It takes three months to build up your body’s stores, so if you’re trying for a baby make sure you eat some every day. Good sources include nuts, seeds, flaxseed oil, and oily fish. To avoid the consumption of toxins, always choose and use cold pressed preferably organic, unrefined nut or seed oil or extra virgin olive oil.

 

You should also eat oily fish (such as mackerel or sardines) and take a fatty acid supplement (the one I use in the clinic is Omega 3 Plus, see the Resources Page).

 

Oily fish

 

One of the healthiest sources of fatty acids is oily fish. Oily fish are not only important for your fertility and those of your partner but the benefit carries on into the pregnancy.  We know that women who eat fish at least three times a week have children who are more intelligent and better behaved. A study in the Lancet found that women who ate at least 12 oz (350g) of fish a week while pregnant had children who were more advanced in tests measuring motor, communication and social skills and had better verbal IQ scores.  The children of mothers who had eaten little or no fish in pregnancy were 35% more likely to have poor communication skills by the time they were toddlers and the risk of bad behaviour and low verbal IQ at the age of eight was almost 50% higher. 

 

What about all the concerns regarding mercury?  Mercury is classed as a heavy toxic metal, which is also contained in amalgam tooth fillings, and mercury at high levels has been known to cause brain damage to unborn babies. It does seem rather confusing that research is saying eat oily fish as it is not only good for your health and fertility but also the health and intellectual development of your baby.  And yet the Food Standards Agency is saying to pregnant women, be careful don’t eat more than two portions of oily fish a week!  

 

One study decided to have a look at what the levels of mercury in the babies were whose mothers ate fish once a day. The researchers checked the mercury levels in the umbilical cord of the babies and found that even with eating fish once a day, the mercury levels were generally low and confirmed that the babies were more intelligent. 

 

To keep mercury exposure to the minimum, you should avoid shark, marlin and swordfish when trying to conceive or when pregnant.  These fish live a long time so the mercury can be concentrated in these fish more so than other oily fish such as salmon, herring, trout and sardines etc.  Canned fish should be avoided too as researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health in the US tested over 1,000 women.  Those who ate the most canned fish tended to have more mercury in their bodies.

 

Essential fatty acid supplements

 

I would still suggest that you definitely eat oily fish once or twice a week but also add in fish oil supplements as Omega 3 fatty acids are important for healthy brain and eye development as the baby grows in the womb and also for a healthy birth weight.  From fatty acids you produce beneficial prostaglandins which have hormone-like functions. They are believed to prevent low birth weight and decrease the likelihood of a premature birth. Fish oil has also been shown to help prevent blood from clotting inappropriately so fish oil can be beneficial to women who have recurrent miscarriages if the diagnosis has been linked to a clotting problem.

 

If you’re trying for a baby you and your partner should both take an essential fatty acid supplement every day.  For men, fatty acid supplementation is just as important because semen is rich in prostaglandins which are produced from these fats. Research has also shown that men who have problems with abnormal sperm tend to have lower than normal levels of beneficial prostaglandins and there are strong indications that increasing fish oil intake greatly improves the effectiveness of sperm and, therefore, it greatly improves a man’s odds of reproducing.

.

To avoid ingesting harmful toxins and chemicals from the bones, skin and connective tissue of animals that may have been pumped full of chemicals and possibly growth hormones buy the capsules as fish oil gelatine, not animal gelatine capsules. But whatever fish oil supplement you choose, avoid cod liver oil capsules. In the sea fish can often absorb toxins and chemicals. Oil taken from the liver, the organ of detoxification, is therefore is likely to have higher quantities of these toxins than oil taken from the body of the fish. Recently, a number of companies had to take theirs off the shelves as contained very high levels of toxins called dioxins.  Also cod liver oil will contain high levels of vitamin A which are not advisable during pregnancy. 

 

Both you and your partner should take a supplement containing at least 600–700mg of EPA a day. The omega 3 supplement should also contain good amounts of DHA (at least 500mg a day), essential for the baby’s eye and central nervous system development once you get pregnant. (The one I use in the clinic is called Omega 3 Plus see the Resources Page). 

Note: don’t be misled by labels on supplements that say ‘fish oil 1000mg’ or ‘omega 3 1000mg’ – you need to read the breakdown of EPA and DHA to know what you are getting.  Also make sure that the fish oil you buy is in fish gelatine capsules and not bovine (cattle) gelatine. Or take linseed (flax) oil 1000mg. You can get vegetarian sources of EPA and DHA from algae but the levels of EPA and DHA are quite low.

 

Finally, don’t forget that fatty acid supplements aren’t just important for boosting fertility they are also important during pregnancy.  As mentioned above, are essential to the proper development of the foetus and in particular the development of the foetal brain and retina. The foetus will draw its supply of fatty acids from its mother and so the mother’s supply will decrease if she does not replenish it by eating foods high in omega 3 fatty acids as well as taking fish oil supplements. If you want to give your child the best chance at life then be sure to increase your intake of essential fatty acids for optimal development of your baby’s brain and vision.