How good gut health can help to keep allergy symptoms away

By Lee Holmes, Nutritionist, Cookbook Author, Wholefood Chef, Love Your Gut Powder & Golden Blend. Check out Lee’s website for recipes and health 

Spring loving, had me a blast.

Spring loving, happened so fast.

I met a girl, crazy for me.

Met a boy, cute as can ah… ahh… ahh… ahchoo!

Spring fever got you down?

While Spring brings with it a sense of lightness, florals and warmth for so many, for others, the only thing that comes to mind when I say spring is suffering with sneezes and sniffles – bless you!

If the very thought of seasonal change makes your nose itch and eyes water, you’re not alone. While you can plough through the tablets and sprays or even wear a mask to protect you from days with a high pollen count, there are easier ways to clear out seasonal allergies. It all starts in one of my favorite places – the gut.

Did you know that seasonal allergies and gut health are related? Looking after your gut can actually help you reduce your seasonal sniffles! If you don’t believe me, let it be known that about 70-80% of your immune system actually lives in the gut. This means that by looking after your gut you’re also caring for your immune system.

On the other side of the tissue, if you have problems with your gut, it can trigger immune-related conditions such as seasonal allergies. So, if our gut health is compromised by, for example, consuming seven chocolate mud cakes and three bottles of wine for several weeks in a row, you can increase the inflammation in your body and worsen your reactions.

Foods like refined sugars, carbohydrates and gluten can cause inflammation within the gut and get your eyes watering. Instead, go for fresh produce loaded with antioxidants, such as papaya which is high in antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin A. These have an anti-inflammatory effect and help heal the gut. They’re also needed for proper functioning of the immune system.

ZINC

Zinc is another key nutrient that’s needed to maintain both a healthy immune system and healed gut lining. Eating foods rich in zinc is a sure way to look after your immune system and your gut! Go for grass-fed beef, oysters, lamb, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and spinach.

ONIONS

Onions are another superstar ingredient that can help reduce inflammation as they contain a compound known as quercetin, which is a natural anti-histamine. Be sure to always start your cooking and stewing with an onion for rock-star gut and immune system healing. Soups and stews are a great way to include onions into your diet.

PROBIOTICS

Another supercharged way to repair gut health and improve immunity is by the inclusion of probiotics. To keep our guts flourishing, probiotics are necessary to help the growth of the good bacteria within your gut. To replenish your strains of good bacteria, try consuming a small amount of probiotic-rich foods at least a few times each week. I like to go for full-fat organic yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and fermented vegetables.

If you’re trying to look after your gut, you have to try my Love Your Gut powder, made from food grade highest quality diatomaceous earth. It naturally lessens the build-up of waste in the colon and removes heavy metals, pathogenic bacteria and parasites from the body to improve your immunity. If you’re keen to lower inflammation Golden Gut Blend contains the wonder spice turmeric and is a raw whole food powder that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, low in fat, paleo and vegan. It can help improve nutrient absorption, digestion and regulation plus it’s full of anti-inflammatory properties because of all of the delicious spices. Think of it like fairy dust for your gut and immunity!

To help knock back seasonal allergies and look after your gut, I recommend increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Check out my Baked Papaya with Lime & Coconut Yoghurt recipe. The star of this dish – papaya, is a great fruit to include because it’s rich in a digestive enzyme known as papain. Papain can help reduce inflammation and support gastrointestinal health which boosts your immunity and digestive system. It’s also high in fibre to keep your colon happy and healthy; just another reason why you’ll love this dish. Oh, and it’s absolutely delicious too!

For more recipes visit my website www.superchargedfood.com