Hayfever hope

The immune system is meant to protect you from sickness but in hayfever it is attacking your own body, producing antibodies to ward off the pollen so instead you get watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and just feel miserable.

ScienceDaily (June 6, 2008) — Scientists reveal that a daily dose of probiotic can improve the immune status of people with hay fever.

"In this study, volunteers with a history of seasonal hay fever drank a daily milk drink with or without live bacteria over 5 months. The study was double-blinded and placebo controlled, so neither the volunteers nor the scientists knew who had been assigned the probiotic drinks. The probiotic drinks contained Lactobacillus casei, a bacterial species that has been widely studied for its health promoting properties. " It showed that it takes a while to work but it does make improvements.

Immunotherapy is also a safe and effective way to treat hayfever-like allergies. COCHRANE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. This is a treatmentt where drops of allergen extracts are placed under the tongue called sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT and has been backed up by many studies. ScienceDaily (Dec. 8, 2010) It would involve skin testing by, an allergist,to confirm specific allergies. My children had this done at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Clinic in Sydney, Australia. Then a trial of sublingual immunotherapy would possibly be recommended with or without dietary changes.


PHOTO CDC Public Health Image library ID 11162 Author James Gathany

Dr Weil's dietary suggestions

"The following measures are worth trying for anyone with an autoimmune disorder:

• Decrease protein intake toward 10 percent of daily calories; replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein.


• Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources.
  
• Eat more fruits and vegetables regularly and make sure that they are organically grown.


• Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, and all foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.


• Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.


• Take ginger (start with one capsule twice a day). Turmeric can also be helpful. Try "Turmeric Force" capsules from New Chapter and follow the dosage directions on the package. "
  

PHOTO By srebbe64

The oldest diet around

The paleolithic diet is simple - based on foods humans ate prior to agriculture. It includes red meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, some nuts, seeds, vegetables, roots, fruit and mushrooms. It is based on the premise that humans are adapted to the diet of their ancestors in cave man times.
Proponents believe it eliminates allergies and food intolerances especially as it contains no dairy products or grains which are the 2 main causes of food sensitivities in our times. It also eliminates potatoes which are thought to aggrevate arthritis.
SBS Food Investigators program is running a trial diet which shows how a modern couple progress on this ancient diet.
Geraldine Georgeou is a dietician who bases her healthy eating plan on the Paleo diet. It includes recipes and a shopping list.
Interestingly it is also the foods, now often recommended, to introduce to your baby when they commence eating solids - starting with the vegetables.

Gluten intolerance

I have wheat intolerance which was diagnosed with an elimination diet through the Royal Prince Alfred Allergy Clinic in Sydney, Australia. I often wonder if this means I should avoid all gluten as oats upsets me too. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats.
On Daily Strength forums I read of a lady with an autoimmune condition that is in remission - she believes this is due to avoidance of all gluten. She follows a diet designed for celiacs. She also avoids all dairy. This may be difficult but is worth a try if it can improve symptoms. Take the Gluten-Free Challenge which will help you with recipes.
Associated Conditions to Celiac Disease CD
"For the patient who may have had active, untreated celiac disease for a number of months or even years, there may be associated immune-related conditions. There is an established association between CD and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and with thyroid disease." Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America, Inc. (CSA)
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder.
LINKS:
Celiac disease at Medline Plus
Gluten Intolerance Group
Celiac Disease Foundation
Julia's Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
Julia's Simple Gluten Free Brownie Mix Muffins
Celiac.com

Allergy Link

For myself I have always thought there was an allergy connection to my autoimmune conditions. Many people who suffer from autoimmune conditions report an intolerance to cow's milk or wheat. I have done the elimination diet many years ago through the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Clinic and definately discovered intolerance to wheat and dairy.
I will try and post links relating to this here
IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN IGAN AND ALLERGIES
GLUTEN SENSITIVITY from Gluten Intolerance Group
Could Gluten Be Causing Your Health Problems? from Gluten Intolerance Group