To see why we are dealing with chronic inflammation:
Causes of Chronic Low-Level Inflammation
For a comprehensive chart of tactical maneuvers to regulate inflammation in the body:
Treatments for long-term inflammation
Listed below are some of the "no-brainer" tactics and some successful, study-supported treatments specifically used against allergies.
Tobacco smoke /Strong chemical odors. Avoid these environmental irritants, which may increase sinus problems
Pet dander. Move animals out of the general living space
Dust mites - use impermeable mattress covers, wash bedding every week in hot water and remove all non-washable items from the bed (E.g. stuffed animals); remove bedroom carpets and upholstered furniture;
Food. A food allergy reaction is not the same as food intolerance, which is instead, an undesirable effect (E.g. gas, nausea, diarrhea) of eating a particular food (maybe because they lack a necessary digestive enzyme). Foods containing allergens accounting for ~90% of food allergies, include wheat gluten, milk or other dairy products, soy, peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish, or eggs. Taking stomach acid-reducing medications (E.g. Nexium®) may allow harmless food proteins to become potential allergens by limiting their digestion in the stomach.
Cockroaches. Keep kitchen clean; put out traps.
Pollen. Avoid communing with nature during the spring and early summer when grasses, trees, weeds (particularly ragweed) pollen usually occurs. Get someone else to mow the grass!
Balance Omega 3 / Omega 6 intake
- Reduce omega-6 intake. An increase in the use of margarine and vegetable oils containing inflammatory omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids has led to an imbalance with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. Omega-6 linoleic acid in such as corn/safflower/sunflower oils, is a precursor to arachidonic acid, which can be converted to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that causes the IS to release a protein that triggers allergic reactions.
- Increase anti-inflammatory Omega-3 DHA and EPA intake. Eat more cold water fish (E.g. salmon, herring, tuna, sardines) containing anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, which inhibit the formation of inflammatory prostaglandin PGE2. Since it is difficult to obtain sufficient omega-3 fat in today's farmed fish, you should strongly consider supplementing with a marine oil, such as wild salmon oil.
- Supplement anti-inflammatory Omega-6 Di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). Metabolized from gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in high amounts in evening primrose, borage and blackcurrant oils, also inhibits the formation of inflammatory prostaglandin PGE2. With allergies, one should consider taking a GLA supplement, but not before dealing with likely omega-3 deficiency.
Borage, blackcurrant, or evening primrose oil for DGLA
Ensure sufficient intake of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine),Magnesium, Zinc, vitamin B3 (Niacin) and vitamin C. Vit. C is needed by the conversion enzymes D6D and D5D to provide pathways for production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. E.g. If you don't have enough D6D enzyme, you can't ever make enough GLA (to convert to anti-inflammatory DGLA) from Omega-6 Linoleic Acid, which is contained in such as nuts, seeds and vegetable oils
EFAs -> Local Hormones - First Response Team
Magnesium regulates and suppresses histamine production. Histamine is released in response to various allergens, such as perfumes, pet dander, dust, pollen etc. - histamine causes allergy symptoms. An article in the prestigious British journal "The Lancet" reported that healthy magnesium levels are associated with lower rates of allergies and asthma. The best way to swiftly increase magnesium is via transdermal magnesium chloride or by nebulizing magnesium chloride
Ensure your body has a sufficiency of antioxidants. Through diet, via supplementation, or lifestyle choices
- Vitamins A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10;
- VITAMIN D. The best way to ensure you are getting enough of this powerful anti-inflammatory is to take a daily "sunbath".
Vitamin D - The Sunshine Vitamin
- MELATONIN. Produced during a good night's sleep in a darkened room, this hormone is a very powerful antioxidant that is generally overlooked.
MELATONIN -The Darkness Hormone
- Some good food choices for antioxidants - blueberries, pomegranates, cherries, grape seed, green tea, wine.
- Avoid trans fats, other damaged fats, and anything else that produces ROS in the body - depleting its precious antioxidant supply
Stress, Toxins, Damaged Fats, Microbes and NOT Enough Antioxidants
Avoid excess alcohol consumption. May increase IgE levels and aggravate allergy symptoms.
Lack of intestinal microflora allows allergies, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases to flourish. E.g. asthma, eczema;
Probiotic strain bifidobacterium longum relieves clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hayfever)s
