So why is it that some of us seem doomed to suffer these disruptive symptoms every year while others walk through clouds of pollen without a care? About 70 percent of the entire immune system is found in the gut, so weakening it by taking antibiotics at a young age or using a lot of antimicrobial cleaning products—the so-called hygiene hypothesis—can also lead to an increased risk of allergies to food, airborne allergens, and even asthma and eczema. Studies also show that exposures to bacteria, viruses, and even parasites when we are kids strengthen our immunity even further by teaching our immune system naturally what to react against, preventing the misfiring against benign things like tree pollen. Many things overtax our natural stress response: emotional stress at work or home, eating too much sugar or processed foods, and skimping on sleep being just a few. When our stress levels run high, our brain starts telling our body to secrete hormones like cortisol and chemicals like histamine and other neurotransmitters. Several studies have shown that this can make us more inflamed, create more congestion in our nasal passages, and even worsen asthma. A study done on college students studying for exams showed that allergic cells in their blood rose and asthma symptoms worsened during final exam week. The good news is that there are natural and safe methods to redirect our immune system, calming the inflammatory response and lessening our allergy symptoms. Tweaking your diet, managing your stress, and using more natural supplements and techniques will help you navigate allergy season and have you smelling the roses in no time. She started the Moday Center for Functional and Integrative Medicine in Philadelphia, where she practices both traditional medicine and integrative medicine. You can learn more about Dr. Moday through her blog and website and follow her on her YouTube channel, Functional Medicine TV.
