HAYFEVER

About Hayfever

Hayfever (allergic rhinitus) is an allergic response to pollen.  It causes itchy eyes, watery discharge from the nose and eyes, sneezing and irritability.  Symptoms can arrive with tree pollens from February to May, depending on the climate, and go right through the summer months for other people who are more allergic to grass pollens. 

Other people suffer from hayfever-like symptoms throughout the year, and these people have perennial rhinitus, caused perhaps by animal hair or feathers, dust, fungus spores and pollution from exhaust fumes. 

It’s particularly important to take anti-oxidants such as vitamin A, E, C, selenium, zinc, beta-carotene, and Reduced Glutathione if you suffer from perennial rhinitus, to squash the free radicals caused by pollution and sunlight.  If you also take the amino acid Methionine together with calcium twice a day, as well as vitamin C, B6 and zinc, this will reduce the histamine which is causing the allergic symptoms.  Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the membranes of the cells that release histamine, which triggers allergic symptoms.

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Hayfever

The following nutrition guidelines should be followed:

	Avoid wheat and milk, both of which produce mucous and will very likely aggravate the problem.
	Also avoid sugar which dramatically reduces immunity, as well as alcohol.
	Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, of all colours.
	Eat sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and one or two Brazil nuts per day (unless you are allergic to these, of course).
	Avoid exposure to pollen and traffic fumes as much as possible – some people, particularly cyclists, wear masks, which may be helpful for some).

Health Supplements for Hayfever

The following health supplements should be considered:

	1  x Multivitamin and mineral (e.g. VM75 from Solgar)
	2 x Advanced Antioxidant Formula (from Solgar)
	3 x Ultra Vitamin C 1000mg plus flavonoids  in divided doses (Higher Nature)

Also consider:

	L-Methionine 500mg twice a day  (Solgar)
	2 x True Food Calcium and Magnesium (Higher Nature)
	1 x Magnesium Pantothenate  (anti-inflammatory) (BioCare)
	1 Quercetin with Bromelain 3 times a day (helps stabilise mast cells, and digests protein which may be involved in tissue sensitivity)  (BioCare)

Other information

‘Hayfever Guard’ is a brand new product which combats hayfever without the use of any drugs.  It is a plastic device which is inserted into the nostril to prevent pollen from reaching the sinus and triggering an allergic reaction.  The plastic cones, containing filters, are attached by a thin strip of plastic and the whole device is plugged into the nose and can be worn daily.  It comes in small or medium and is hardly noticed.  Breathing and eating is easy whilst wearing it.  Tests have been so successful that scientists at the University of Plymouth, England, are currently conducting experiments to see if the nose guard could also filter out bacteria and viruses, which could reduce the spread of colds and flu.  Hayfever Guard costs £3.99 and contains one plastic device and 5 replacement sets of filters.