Topics of Interest  >  Complementary and Alternative Therapies THE COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIES DIETARY ADVICE: There are a number of dietary approaches that can be under taken to improve allergy symptoms. Allergy testing should be considered. This would allow the identification of both food allergens and inhaled allergens that might be responsible for the allergy symptoms you are having. This would then allow you to target those items for elimination from your diet, and to minimize exposure to inhaled allergens. If allergy testing is not done, an elimination diet could be done. An elimination diet essentially eliminates in a systematic fashion selected food items, and to then determine which foods are associated with an improvement or a worsening of allergy symptoms. Studies in asthma patients show a marked improvement in asthma symptoms on a Vegan Diet. See our handout on asthma for a full description of a Vegan Diet. Next best would be to follow the Food Guide Pyramid, which would be a sort of Vegan Diet plus 4-6 ounces of animal protein per day. See our hand out on the Food Guide Pyramid and on "Health and Wellness Through Nutrition" for further explanation on the Food Guide Pyramid. Of particular interest in the treatment of allergy symptoms is the group of dietary substances known as Flavonoids. Flavonoids have a number of properties, but key among them in allergy patients is their ability to reduce inflammation and to inhibit the release of Histamine, which is the key mediator of an allergic reaction. Patients with allergies should attempt to include in their diets those foods known to contain Flavonoids, which would be citrus fruits, berries, legumes, onions, green tea, parsley, and red wine. If you are found to be allergic to these items, or if these food choices do not work for you, then consideration should be given to supplementation with Flavonoids, as described below. There are a number of chemicals found in, or more aptly, added to, our food, to which many allergy patients are sensitive. These would include dyes, preservatives, color-enhancers, etc. Please read this section in our Asthma handout, and care should be given to avoiding these chemicals, which are especially prevalent in processed and prepared foods. ADVICE ON NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: MULTIVITAMINS: You should be on a high-potency multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFA's): You should consider supplementation with essential fatty acids such as Fish Oil or Flaxseed Oil. Essential Fatty Acids are used as building block in the formation of cell walls, and healthy cell walls are more resistant to the effects of allergens, especially inhaled allergens. Essential fatty acids also have an impact on the inflammatory process, which is part of the allergy response. See our handout on essential fatty acids for more details. Improvement with EFA supplementation is not seen immediately, but takes 6-12 months while the EFA's are incorporated into the newer and healthier cell walls. FLAVONOIDS: As mentioned above, Flavonoids have the ability to inhibit the release of Histamine, and thereby temper the effects of the allergy response. If dietary sources are not adequate, supplementation should be considered. This can be done in several ways. Flavonoids can be obtained through Herbal Remedies, or through supplementation with the Flavonoid Quercetin taken as 200 mg three times a day prior to meals. MINERALS: The following minerals should be included as part of your multi-vitamin/mineral supplement, or can be taken as individual supplements: MAGNESIUM- 200-400 mg per day. SELENIUM- 50-100 mg per day. ANTI-OXIDANTS: You should be taking anti-oxidants that prevent the damage to tissues from free radicals, which can alter cellular function throughout the body. This could be accomplished by taking individual anti-oxidants or an anti-oxidant preparation containing several. Since anti-oxidants work better when combined than when taken individually, the choice to take individual anti-oxidants should include the following: Vitamin C: 500 mg twice a day. Vitamin E: 200-400 mg twice a day. Beta-carotene or mixed carotenoids: 25,000 U per day. Additional anti-oxidants will be discussed below under Herbal Therapy. At Nature's Healthcare, we have available three products that, taken together, would meet these needs. Those products would be: Pure Encapsulation 950 Multi, EPA/DHA fish oil supplement, and Pro-Antho-Forte flavonoid antioxidant complex. REDUCTION IN ALLERGEN EXPOSURE ALLERGENS IN THE HOME: If allergy testing has been done, the results can guide you here in order to get the most bang for your preventive buck. However, general guidelines can be given here, based on the allergens most commonly found in the home, which, unfortunately, happen to be the allergens to which most patients are sensitive. The following issues regarding home allergen exposure need to be addressed to expect maximal improvement in allergy symptoms: Smoking: There should be absolutely no smoking in the home of a patient with allergies. Did I already say there should be no smoking in the home of a patient with allergies? Domestic Animals and Pets: For sensitive patients, pets should not be living inside. Dust Mites: A common allergen, the dust mite requires action above and beyond usual housecleaning for control. First, the air filter from the supermarket for $4.95 is not enough. To filter out dust and its mites requires a "HEPA," a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Dust mites are also found in and difficult to eradicate from carpets. Powders which help with mite control are available for applying to carpets prior to vacuuming. The Bedroom: Special care is needed in the bedroom for allergen control, as this is usually where allergy patients, especially children, spend most of their time. The following are helpful in minimizing household allergen exposure: Mattress, pillows, and box springs: should be encased in zippered coverings which are impermeable to allergens, and which are commercially available. Bedding: in order to control exposure to dust mites in the bedding, all bedding, everything, should be washed weekly, in 130 degree water, in detergent that is free of additives and of fragrances. Selection of blankets should favor those which will withstand the rigors of such washing, and wool and down filled blankets should be avoided. As an alternative to washing at 130 degrees, additives are available for the wash which will help control mites in the bedding. Or, a mixture of 100cc of eucalyptus oil with 25cc dishwashing detergent, added to the wash in a 30 minute warm water pre-soak, has received some attention. The eucalyptus oil treatment is recommended every two to three months. Dust-proofing the bedroom: attention to some of the following can minimize the accumulation of dust and the allergens they contain. Avoid dust collectors such as wall hangings, pennants, and throw pillows. Furniture should favor wipeable surfaces such as wood, plastic, vinyl, and leather, over upholstered furniture. Heavy drapes and curtains should be avoided in favor of window shades. Closets should remain shut to prevent dust accumulation on clothes. If carpeted, the bedroom should be vacuumed with the application of a powder specific for control of dust mites. Bare floors are best. Air filter: a separate, portable air filter for the bedroom should be considered. There are a number of commercial resources to turn to for information, services, and products. In Austin, a comprehensive resource for home allergen control is "The Allergy Relief Store," at 3500 Jefferson, near Seton. Online services are available at www.allergycontrol.comr or at 1-800-422-DUST. HERBAL THERAPY: There are two types of Herbal Remedies available. One would be what we have come to call "Western Herbs," the other would be Chinese Herbs. With Western Herbs, we generally understand the mechanism of action of the Herb. That is, we know what cellular function or metabolic process those Herbs effect, much like we understand the mechanism of action of prescription drugs. Unlike most prescription drugs, however, many Herbs effect cellular functions in more than one place or in more than one tissue, so they can be used for more than one symptom or condition. Chinese Herbs, on the other hand, are not directed at a particular cellular function or metabolic function. Rather, they are used in combinations, and are directed at symptoms or conditions that are felt to arise from an improper flow of energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee"), through the body. If you decide to use Chinese Herbs, the combination of herbs given to you will be decided by our practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine based on her evaluation of you. If you decide to use Western Herbs, there are several herbal remedies that can be used in your case: -Western Herbs: Western Herbs used for control of allergies are primarily those that contain anti-oxidants. If Quercetin is not taken as a separate dietary supplement, the following herbal preparations can be taken instead: Grape Seed Extract (also referred to as Proanthocyanidins): 25-50 mg three times a day, OR Green Tea Extract w/ 50% phenol content 150-250 mg three times a day. OR Ginkgo Biloba Extract: 40 mg three times a day. ACUPUNCTURE: A number of scientific studies referenced in the database of the Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health show acupuncture to be effective as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of asthma and allergies. We recommend that you consider acupuncture as part of your treatment program. MIND/BODY WORK: The database at the NIH also contains numerous references supporting the use of Yoga and Meditation, and the breathing exercises they promote, as effective therapies for patients with asthma and allergies. We recommend you consider learning and participating in Yoga and Meditation especially during those times when asthma symptoms are occurring. These techniques are also helpful in managing stress and achieving a sense of calm and inner balance. SELF: At Nature's Healthcare, we believe everyone needs to focus on achieving a balanced lifestyle, including devoting the proper time and attention to the maintenance of ones' spiritual and emotional health. This involves the setting of priorities and efficient time management in order to balance your time spent on your occupation, your family, and yourself. Time for yourself includes not only time spent on your physical health, but also time spent on your spiritual growth, your personal growth, and personal reflection and fulfillment. DETOXIFICATION AND GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTION: Many practitioners of Holistic Health consider detoxification and proper gastrointestinal function to be at the core of any wellness program. The issue is that, without proper liver and GI function, it can be difficult to achieve a state of proper nutrition, even with attention to other aspects of nutrition such as diet and supplementation. This issue, however, is sufficiently complex as to be considered a treatment plan in itself, with its' own herbal therapies and supplements. As well, the need to address detoxification varies significantly from person to person, depending on their individual exposure to environmental toxins, etc. and can involve the use of diagnostic studies to assist in developing a treatment plan. It is mentioned here only for completeness, and to emphasize the possible future need to develop a detox program for you, such as a 4-R Program. Supplementation with Acidophilus (Lactobacillus), which is a bacterium in the gut involved in digestion and absorption, is one easy and affordable step you can take to begin the process of proper GI function. We are glad you have come to us for assistance in your pursuit of health and wellness. We will be happy to pass along to your primary care physician or other health care provider the advice we have given you, or you can share this information with him/her yourself. We are always available to answer your questions at 306-0212. Back to Top

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