Natural Approaches for Seasonal Allergies

If sneezing and itchy eyes are affecting your day-to-day routine, you may have seasonal allergies. The following natural approaches may have beneficial effects on your symptoms - give them a try:

1.    Take freeze-dried stinging nettles and butterbur. Both herbs perform as well as antihistamines, without the drowsiness.

2.    Eliminate dairy and any products that contain casein (to avoid immune-system irritation).

3.    Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids - they help combat inflammation caused by allergic reactions. Wild Alaskan salmon, freshly ground flaxseeds, and high-quality fish oil supplements are good choices.

4.    Eat foods rich in quercetin. This bioflavonoid can help prevent the release of histamine. Citrus fruits, garlic, parsley, apples, broccoli and tea all contain quercetin.

5.    Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits, such as berries and cherries, to help modify the body's inflammatory response.

6.    Try nasal douching with a warm saline solution by using a Neti pot.

7.    Drink plenty of water to keep nasal passages hydrated and to help flush out your system.

Vitamin C for Help in preventing Colds or Flu

Vitamin C is a natural anti-viral compound that's highly concentrated in macrophages - the white blood cells that fight disease. Not only does vitamin C have anti-viral activity, it also scavenges the superoxide anion - a molecule associated with severe flu-associated complications. It's no surprise that research shows that taking vitamin C daily can help prevent colds or flu or shorten their duration.

In fact, a 1999 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 1,000 mg of vitamin C every hour for 6 hours and 1,000 mg three times daily thereafter can effectively prevent or relieve flu symptoms.

Be sure to include highly concentrated natural sources of vitamin C - like acerola cherry, camu camu, citrus fruits, berries and peppers - in your diet to bolster your immunity.

Avocado for Liver Health

Researchers at Shizuoka University in Japan performed a study where groups of rats were fed different types of fruit. The rats then received a powerful toxin, known to induce liver damage. The researchers then measured changes in specific enzymes which would indicate how much damage had occurred.

Out of 22 different fruits tested, the avocado (yes, avocado is a fruit) showed the most potent liver-protecting activity. In fact, avocados boast five specific compounds that can actively reduce liver damage.

Hirokazu Kawagishi, the leader of the study says, "Besides offering taste and nutrition, avocados seem to improve liver health. People should eat more of them."

Don't be deterred by the high fat profile of avocados. The fats they contain are primarily heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. The "alligator pear" also provides antioxidant vitamins E and C, glutathione, lutein and zeaxanthin. They're also high in fiber and potassium and provide a good source of folate.

Green Tea for Blood Sugar Control

According to one study, animals given the green-tea based antioxidant, EGCG, had a 50% lower blood sugar after eating starch than the animals that didn't get the EGCG but ate the same amount of starch.

This aligns with other studies we've seen over the years that green tea and oolong tea can help to control the blood sugar response from a meal due to their unique antioxidants.

So if you're eating a meal that contains carbohydrates, you can protect yourself from the blood sugar spike with a cup or two of green tea along with the meal.

Pure Cocoa Powder for Blood Sugar Control

It might sound surprising, but pure cocoa powder contains flavanols which are powerful antioxidants that can help improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.

I recommend organic cocoa powder (pure, NOT with any added sugar), which you can add to smoothies or in other ways to help your body improve blood sugar control.  I like to add a heaping spoonful of organic cocoa powder to smoothies made with frozen berries or fresh and my favorite protein powder for a delicious blood-sugar controlling treat!

You can also make your own healthy hot cocoa drink at home by blending a couple spoonfuls of org cocoa powder with your milk of choice and some stevia or honey to sweeten.  Then just heat on the stove by slowly stirring and in a few minutes you have a delicious healthy hot cocoa, low in sugar, high in fiber from the cocoa, and also high in antioxidants that can improve your insulin sensitivity.