Hay fever is an allergy to pollen from grasses and trees, whose pollen is spread by the wind. 20% to 30% of the Dutch population has hay fever and this number increases annually. One of the causes is the accumulation of pollutants in our body, which means that our immune system reacts less and less adequately to incoming substances. A malfunctioning intestine, the so-called ‘leaky gut’ or leaky intestine, can also be the basis for allergic complaints such as hay fever or dust mite allergy.
What is a leaky intestine?
Leaky bowel is a condition in which tiny holes appear in the intestinal wall. The mucous membrane that lies over the intestinal wall is usually inflamed, which prevents the good gut bacteria from attaching properly. When you have a leaky intestine, waste products produced in the intestines can penetrate the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream and from there throughout the body. Also partially digested food can enter the body. This causes various problems, such as inflammatory and allergic reactions, mood complaints and hormonal problems. This condition also causes important nutrients not to be properly absorbed by the body, further affecting overall health and the immune system.
The following symptoms may indicate hay fever or related allergy:
- – runny nose and later a blocked nose
- – sneezing
- – tickling cough
- – itchy, burning, and tearful eyes
- – swollen and red eyes
- – burning throat, sore throat
- – headache
- – fatigue
The symptoms of hay fever are caused by histamine, the substance that is released during the allergic reaction. The allergic reaction is a symptom of a weakened immune system and is usually accompanied by a leaky intestine. The good news is that if you deal with the complaints at the cause, in the intestines, there is a lot of gain to be made: reduction and sometimes even solving all the above complaints!
Nutrition
Eat as unprocessed and as pure as possible, preferably organic and avoid (refined) sugars and alcohol. Drink water as clean as possible, interspersed with herbal and green tea.
Dietary additives (“E” numbers) and pesticides can irritate the intestines and provoke allergic reactions. Sugars and alcohol feed fungi in the intestines and contribute to imbalance. If necessary, get tested for intolerances, such as gluten, wheat or lactose (from dairy).
Histamine is produced by the body, but also occurs in food and beverages. It really matters to avoid the biggest culprits. Above all, try to find out what you respond to the most:
- Spices, such as anise, cumin, vanilla, etc.
- Dairy: especially fungal cheeses, old cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, buttermilk and the whites of an egg.
- Fish: particularly in mackerel, tuna, cod, herring, sardines, shrimps (prawn crackers, shrimp paste) and shellfish. Canned fish, by the way, is worse than fresh fish. Fish from the freezer contains the least histamine.
- Meat: in particular pig and lamb.
- Vegetarian products: especially ‘fermented’ soybeans, such as tempeh.
- Vegetables: especially tomatoes, spinach, sauerkraut, beetroot and mushrooms.
- Fruit: a lot of histamine is in avocado, kiwi, strawberries, melon, pineapple, grapefruit and raspberries.
- Drinks: especially cider, (red) wine, beer and herbal tea. More than 2 cups of coffee a day can also cause disruptions.
- Miscellaneous: licorice, chocolate, marmite, soy sauce and soy contain a lot of histamine.
- Seeds and nuts are histamine-rich. Peanut also often causes problems!
For all foods, the rule applies: fresh is better than long storage.
Natural substances that act as anti-histamines:
Vitamin C: minimum 2000 mg per day. Take together with quercetin.
Zinc-silver (KNO) spray: the spray can be used for complaints in the nose, throat and eyes, and quickly brings relief. Use as needed.
Scutellaria: Scutellaria is an herb that, in addition to inhibiting histamine, also reduces inflammation.
Black currant: for upper respiratory tract infections, flu, colds.
Plantain: for hay fever, itching, allergic skin complaints, asthma, bronchitis.
Hay fever is an allergy to pollen from grasses and trees, whose pollen is spread by the wind. 20% to 30% of the Dutch population has hay fever and this number increases annually. One of the causes is the accumulation of pollutants in our body, which means that our immune system reacts less and less adequately to incoming substances. A malfunctioning intestine, the so-called ‘leaky gut’ or leaky intestine, can also be the basis for allergic complaints such as hay fever or dust mite allergy.
What is a leaky intestine?
Leaky bowel is a condition in which tiny holes appear in the intestinal wall. The mucous membrane that lies over the intestinal wall is usually inflamed, which prevents the good gut bacteria from attaching properly. When you have a leaky intestine, waste products produced in the intestines can penetrate the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream and from there throughout the body. Also partially digested food can enter the body. This causes various problems, such as inflammatory and allergic reactions, mood complaints and hormonal problems. This condition also causes important nutrients not to be properly absorbed by the body, further affecting overall health and the immune system.
The following symptoms may indicate hay fever or related allergy:
- – runny nose and later a blocked nose
- – sneezing
- – tickling cough
- – itchy, burning, and tearful eyes
- – swollen and red eyes
- – burning throat, sore throat
- – headache
- – fatigue
The symptoms of hay fever are caused by histamine, the substance that is released during the allergic reaction. The allergic reaction is a symptom of a weakened immune system and is usually accompanied by a leaky intestine. The good news is that if you deal with the complaints at the cause, in the intestines, there is a lot of gain to be made: reduction and sometimes even solving all the above complaints!
Nutrition
Eat as unprocessed and as pure as possible, preferably organic and avoid (refined) sugars and alcohol. Drink water as clean as possible, interspersed with herbal and green tea.
Dietary additives (“E” numbers) and pesticides can irritate the intestines and provoke allergic reactions. Sugars and alcohol feed fungi in the intestines and contribute to imbalance. If necessary, get tested for intolerances, such as gluten, wheat or lactose (from dairy).
Histamine is produced by the body, but also occurs in food and beverages. It really matters to avoid the biggest culprits. Above all, try to find out what you respond to the most:
- Spices, such as anise, cumin, vanilla, etc.
- Dairy: especially fungal cheeses, old cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, buttermilk and the whites of an egg.
- Fish: particularly in mackerel, tuna, cod, herring, sardines, shrimps (prawn crackers, shrimp paste) and shellfish. Canned fish, by the way, is worse than fresh fish. Fish from the freezer contains the least histamine.
- Meat: in particular pig and lamb.
- Vegetarian products: especially ‘fermented’ soybeans, such as tempeh.
- Vegetables: especially tomatoes, spinach, sauerkraut, beetroot and mushrooms.
- Fruit: a lot of histamine is in avocado, kiwi, strawberries, melon, pineapple, grapefruit and raspberries.
- Drinks: especially cider, (red) wine, beer and herbal tea. More than 2 cups of coffee a day can also cause disruptions.
- Miscellaneous: licorice, chocolate, marmite, soy sauce and soy contain a lot of histamine.
- Seeds and nuts are histamine-rich. Peanut also often causes problems!
For all foods, the rule applies: fresh is better than long storage.
Natural substances that act as anti-histamines:
Vitamin C: minimum 2000 mg per day. Take together with quercetin.
Zinc-silver (KNO) spray: the spray can be used for complaints in the nose, throat and eyes, and quickly brings relief. Use as needed.
Scutellaria: Scutellaria is an herb that, in addition to inhibiting histamine, also reduces inflammation.
Black currant: for upper respiratory tract infections, flu, colds.
Plantain: for hay fever, itching, allergic skin complaints, asthma, bronchitis.
