This month’s case study is 33 year old ‘Natasha’ who came to the Clinic with hayfever

It was that time of year again! I was beginning to sneeze and suffer with very itchy eyes. The hayfever season seems to come around quicker every year! I was fed up with taking anti-histamines because not only did they make my throat feel dry, they weren’t really having such a powerful effect as they had in previous years.

 

I was coming home on the train from work one night and was reading an article on hayfever and how it can be linked to our diet and nutritional status. This was totally new to me as the doctor had never mentioned this and merely prescribed me stronger and stronger anti-histamines. The article was very inspiring so I decided to pursue this and book an appointment with a nutritionist. A colleague at work had been to see someone at The Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and she highly recommended I contact them so I decided to phone.

 

I spoke to a nutritionist before booking the appointment to make sure it was definitely something they could help me with. She was very knowledgeable and reassured me to book my first consultation. She recommended that I perform a food intolerance test combined with an inhalant allergy test to detect exactly which pollen or grass I was reacting to. The test kit came out within a couple of days and I went to my nurse who drew the blood and then I returned the kit to the lab in the envelope provided – it was all very straight forward. I was also sent a comprehensive questionnaire that I completed and returned before my first appointment. This gave me the opportunity to tell the nutritionist exactly why I was coming and what I was eating and drinking on a daily basis! This was the most shocking part as when I wrote down my daily intake I soon realised that there was far too much sugar and not enough fresh fruit and vegetables. I thought it better to be honest so the nutritionist could help me more!

 

At my first consultation the nutritionist talked through my questionnaire in detail and asked about my health, symptoms and medical history and what medication I was taking. I explained that my main concern was hayfever but I did get abdominal bloating more often than not. The only medication I was taking was the anti-histamine but I explained that it was not actually working that effectively, plus they were making me feel unwell.

 

She explained that even though most people associate hayfever with an allergy to pollen, other factors including pollution from living in the city and our diet can be a contributory factor. If our immune system is also weak it allows us to be more susceptible to these allergenic substances. The reason we sneeze and have itchy eyes is due to the release of a chemical substance called histamine which certain cells (mast cells) release in response to an inhaled/ingested allergen and this reaction is heightened if our nutritional status is poor. So, anti-histamines are not addressing the root cause, but merely blocking the production of histamine to stop the symptoms. I wondered why my doctor had never explained this to me.

 

Many foods can trigger histamine release, particularly wheat and dairy which have also been implicated with hayfever. Although there is no real evidence, it is interesting to note that pollen, wheat and milk are all originally grass products. Modern day wheat is also high in protein which can irritate the digestive system and dairy in itself is mucous forming and best avoided. She explained that avoiding wheat and dairy for a short time should also help with my bloating.

 

The nutritionist went through the results of my allergy test which identified a mild reaction to wheat and cow’s milk and a strong reaction to birch and oak tree and pollen.

 

She also talked to me about the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables to get a good intake of antioxidant vitamins and minerals, A, C, E, selenium and zinc as these are important to strengthen the immune system and fight off free radicals which are generated by everyday living and can damage our cells. Vitamin C is also natural anti-histamine, which helps to dampen down the histamine release from the mast cells. My diet was definitely lacking in these foods so she gave me lots of ideas of how to incorporate fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.

 

She talked about the link between hayfever and a condition called ‘leaky gut’ or ‘intestinal permeability’ whereby undigested food particles get into contact with the bloodstream, prompting the immune system to be alerted and the mast cells to produce more histamine. She felt this was relevant to me even more so because of my digestive problems. She recommended I perform a simple urine test to establish whether I did have this condition. 

 

The nutritionist prescribed several supplements including a high strength multi vitamin and mineral, antioxidant (Vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals selenium and zinc) together with extra Vitamin C. She also gave me a special formula containing a compound (bioflavonoid) quercetin. Quercetin apart from being an important antioxidant works by stabilising the mast cells thereby reducing the histamine release and reducing the symptoms associated with hayfever. She also prescribed some potent herbs which have natural histamine lowering properties. She did explain that I couldn’t take the anti-histamine supplements alongside the prescribed medication. I was happy to stop these because they were ineffective – I think my body had become resistant to them.

 

I found it was easier than I first imagined to go without wheat and dairy. Within a week my bloating had almost disappeared and I felt so much lighter than before. Eating my fruit and vegetables just became second nature after a couple of weeks and I couldn’t believe what I had been missing out on.

 

The nutritionist asked me to go away for 4 weeks and then come back for a follow up consultation. In this time, my symptoms were so much better. The itchy, watery eyes was the first thing I noticed improving and my sneezing was certainly less frequent. Altogether though I felt less tired because I was sleeping better because I was no longer sneezing through the night! I was enjoying the diet and feeling much better for including more fresh food and cutting back on the sugar.

 

When I went back, the nutritionist was very pleased with my progress but advised I follow the supplement regime three months ahead of the hayfever season as I would gain even more benefit. This was really encouraging because I thought, if I was feeling so much better within just one month, next year I hopefully wouldn’t have any symptoms!

 

My test results showed that I did in fact have a ‘leaky gut’ and she gave me a special nutrient called glutamine to heal the lining and desensitise me further to the allergenic substances.

 

I’m so happy not to be pumping myself full of anti-histamines and actually taking control of my health and wellbeing. If had known there was a connection with nutrition and hayfever I would have contacted the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic sooner!

 

 

 

 

 

Marilyn’s Comments

 

Natasha’s story is a good example of how important it is to actually find out the root cause of our condition rather than just taking medications which simply mask symptoms. It is often the easy option to take a ‘pill’ when you are feeling so unwell. However, if you prepare in advance, rather than waiting for the symptoms to arise you should be able to deal with your symptoms naturally. Natural remedies can take up to 3 months to take full effect so the key is to keep going and not give up! Of course sometimes drugs are needed, but if you can help yourself by changing your diet and taking supplements it will be better for your general health in the longer term.

 

If you would like to find out more about our clinics, supplements and the tests mentioned, then please see the Resources Page.

Your lymphatic system is your body’s second circulatory system and forms a network through your body. Its job is to clean up the mess made by other systems and to return excess tissue fluid to the blood.

From the natural viewpoint, it is understood that a healthy lymphatic function supports every other system in your body, including the immune, digestive, detoxification and nervous systems. If your lymphatic system isn’t working efficiently it gets over loaded with toxins and increases the risk of poor health. In fact many believe that poor lymphatic function underlies many health conditions from acne to cancer.

Lymph is a clear, alkaline fluid containing proteins, substances like urea and glucose, and particularly water. It’s formed in tissue spaces all over the body and gathered into small vessels that carry it around. These lymph vessels look like small veins and have a one way valve system, which unlike blood can only flow in the direction of your thorax – the area below your neck and above your waist. The lymph drains through a number of nodes before returning to the blood. These filter out bacteria preventing it entering the bloodstream. When lymph does enter the blood, it is thought that it can cause serious health problems. The reality is that you have twice as much lymph fluid in your body as blood. The lymph continuously bathes each cell and drains away the detritus in a circulatory system powered only by your breathing and movement. If the movement of the lymph stopped entirely you would die in a matter of hours.

Most of us don’t think much about our lymph function until something goes wrong – usually when an infection causes a swollen lymph node – but there are things you can do to avoid this and ensure your lymphatic system stays healthy. The following natural ways to support your lymph function should be a part of every woman’s health habits:

Clean up your diet: Reduce your body’s toxic burden by avoiding processed food, eating organic when possible, and eliminating simple sugars, saturated fats found in dairy, pastries and red meat. The idea here is that the less waste your lymph has to deal with, the more easily it will flow.

 

Drink plenty of filtered or mineral water: At least six to eight glasses per day. Your body needs hydration to keep the fluids running!

 

Consider regular visits to a lymph drainage massage therapist: This is a wonderful and healthy way to pamper yourself (and your internal organs).

 

Practice deep breathing:  Breathing deeply from the diaphragm, not shallowly from the chest, and through the nose rather than the mouth, is one of the best ways to move lymph fluid through your body.

 

Get regular physical exercise: Unlike your heart, your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump action and depends on your body’s musculature movement (the lungs, muscles etc) to shift lymph around your body, which is why regular exercise is so crucial. As well as exercise in general, specific activities such as trampolining and shaking your body as in dancing are beneficial. Jumping on a rebounder, or mini-trampoline, just five minutes a day is a great way to get your lymph system pumping. Walking, stretching, t’ai chi, yoga, Pilates, and other activities are helpful, too — especially if you do them every day. Or find an activity that suits you. Some women prefer ballroom dancing, others swimming. What’s important is that you make it a regular part of your life.

 

Don’t be afraid to sweat! A weekly sauna or steam bath is a pleasant way to facilitate a healthy sweat, and sweating helps detoxify the body and so supports lymphatic function. Avoid aluminium-based antiperspirants (they block sweating and add to your toxic load) and choose natural deodorants instead.

 

Avoid restrictive clothing that press on your lymph nodes: Under wires and over tight bras, jeans, and skirts can impede lymph flow. Try to go bra-free for at least 12 hours a day, and don’t sleep in one. If this is uncomfortable for you, consider buying a camisole.

 

Skin brush: A five minute skin brush before a bath or shower will reduce congestion. Always brush towards the heart – the direction of lymph flow.

 

Consider acupuncture: Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine are far ahead of their Western counterparts when it comes to ‘unsticking’ the lymph system. As a treatment or preventative, acupuncture can be a great way to keep things moving. It can also help alleviate discomfort that may arise while you are detoxing.

Curly kale has six times more calcium than broccoli and spinach and is loaded with antioxidants to boost immunity and has high levels of vitamin A, C and K. Just a 100g serving will provide 30 percent of the recommended daily amount of calcium to protect against osteoporosis.