Natural Allergy Relief

You are what you eat - foods for allergy control

by Murray Grossan, M.D.

You are what you eat, so be careful if your total diet is only corn dogs.

The science of foods vs sinus disease is still unsettled. If you read various newsletters, it seems that every month there is a new food touted as a cure all.

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Food facts that are definite and have stood the test of time however include:

• You can be allergic to certain foods and they can congest the sinuses and cause headaches. Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to all the low calorie foods – watermelon, all melons.
• Certain foods do open the nose up – horseradish, garlic, Cajun spice which contains cayenne pepper.
• Certain foods stimulate the movement of cilia and mucus in the lungs and nose including chicken soup and green/black tea
• Having breakfast in bed can beneficial to your allergy, sinus and chest condition.
• Milk is not by itself a mucus producer, unless you happen to be allergic to it.

Most doctors agree that getting vitamins, minerals, etc. by diet is better than by supplements. There are specific exceptions of course, but for most “essential” vitamins, food source beats pill source.

All doctors agree that taking mega doses of vitamins in not desirable. In the 40’s people took huge doses of vitamin D for arthritis and some died as a result.

Most agree that the standard one a day vitamin pill is probably a good idea. These are designed to follow the American Medical Association recommended dose of Vitamin A, D, E, Thiamine, Riboflavin, B6, Folic Acid, B12, and C. Some add Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium and most of the commercial products follow the recommended doses.

I must stress the importance of avoiding mega doses of “natural” vitamins. I have seen some fairly convincing studies of good results for various conditions with mega doses of vitamins or minerals, but unless there is real proof of the safety of these doses, I can’t recommend them to my patients. I still remember the Vitamin D disaster.

However there are specific conditions where your doctor may recommend a dose larger than the “AMA recommended” daily dose. For example a larger dose of Vitamin A for certain skin conditions.

What foods can help a chronic sinus condition?
Foods rich in antioxidants are recommended.

Beta Carotene helps make healthy mucus membranes. It is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Those foods rich in Beta Carotene include Apricots, Asparagus, Beef liver, broccoli, sweet potato, yellow corn.

Vitamin C foods are recommended for their antihistamine effect: Broccoli, oranges, papaya, red, green, or yellow peppers, strawberries, sweet potato, and tomato juice.

Vitamin E foods tend to boost a person’s immune system. It is an antioxidant: Almonds, corn oil, peanut butter, safflower oil, salmon, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.

Fish oils such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 provide the essential fatty acids that seem to reduce inflammation and promote sinus health. These are found in oily fish products such as anchovy, herring, herring and sardines.

Many persons are sensitive to yellow dye – Tartrazine – Yellow Number 5. Foods containing these include certain breakfast cereals, pies, canned puddings, etc.

Another common sensitivity is that due to Sulphites. These are contained in fried fruits, wines, French fried potatoes and chips, and pickles.

A common sensitivity is that due to MSG that is in Chinese foods.

These sensitivities – Tartrazine, Sulphites and MSG are not allergies, but rather sensitivities to these chemicals. Getting light headed and dizzy after a Chinese meal is due to the MSG.

For many of my patients, adherence to a “healthy” diet has been important in keeping their sinus conditions under control.

As for food allergies, you can be allergic to almost any one – eggs, milk, gluten, etc. Blood test assays can help make a diagnosis but self testing is most important. If you suspect a food, avoid it for a week. Then eat it in large quantities for a week. If the allergy comes on, then you have made a diagnosis.

For example, you suspect apples. Avoid them for a week. Now eat raw apples – 3 or more per day. If allergy symptoms come on, you have made a diagnosis. However, cooked or canned apples or applesauce may not cause symptoms because the cooking/canning breaks up the larger molecules.

Excuse me now, writing this article has made me hungry.

Dr Murray Grossan's website may be found at Hydromedonline.com

First Published: December 2006
Updated: April 2007

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