Naturally through the allergy season - tips for everyday life in the pollen season

Strengthening the immune system

The sun is shining – finally. Summer has arrived and we'd preferably like to spend all our time outdoors. For some people, however, this very time outdoors becomes a real ordeal. The air is teeming with pollen and leaves those affected with runny noses, swollen eyes and physical exhaustion.

A pollen allergy occurs when a person's immune system is overly sensitive to certain pollens. The body mistakenly recognises the pollen as a threat and launches an allergic reaction. This leads to symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, a blocked nose and breathing difficulties. The exact reasons why some people are prone to pollen allergies are not yet fully understood, but both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role. To support the body naturally during this taxing period, we'd like to give you some tips in this blog post.

Because an allergy is an exaggerated immune response, it helps enormously to have a strengthened immune system that can mitigate the effect of the allergy. You can lay the foundation for this with sufficient sleep, rest, a healthy diet and regular exercise. Nutrients such as vitamin C can also support the normal function of your immune system and should definitely be part of your diet.

Consume histamine-modulating nutrients

What is histamine actually? Histamine is a natural substance found in the body that plays an important role in allergic reactions. It is produced and stored in specialised immune cells called mast cells, as well as in certain nerve cells. Histamine is released when the body reacts to an allergenic stimulus, such as pollen, animal hair or certain foods. It binds to specific receptors in tissues such as the skin, the airways and the mucous membranes and triggers an inflammatory reaction. There are certain nutrients that can help block the effects of histamine in the body or regulate histamine levels, for example quercetin. Quercetin is a flavonoid that naturally occurs in many fruits and vegetables. It can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells. Foods such as onions, apples, berries, cabbage and green tea contain quercetin.

Look after a healthy gut microbiota

A healthy gut flora, also known as the microbiota, plays a significant role in regulating the immune system and can have an influence on allergic reactions. The gut hosts a diverse community of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which together form the gut flora. These microorganisms interact closely with the immune system and the gut barrier. To keep the gut flora healthy naturally, you can take the following measures: A fibre-rich diet with fruit, vegetables, wholegrain products, pulses and nuts. Consume probiotic foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and kefir regularly. Drink enough water to support digestion. Reduce sugary and highly processed foods. Know your allergens and try to avoid them. Knowing your allergens is the basis for dealing with them. An allergy test (e.g. Medivere-Allergietest) can check what your body reacts to. Based on that, you can try to avoid the allergens, e.g. specific pollen.

Precise forecasts of expected pollen levels and valuable tips can be found, for example, on this website.

The companion app Allergy plus, provides real-time data on current pollen levels and helps you stay up to date when you're out and about on which pollens are in the air.

Allergy season can be a real challenge for you and your body. By consciously supplying your body with important nutrients and adopting appropriate behaviour you can support yourself during this time. In acute cases, and when everyday life is significantly affected, we of course recommend that you see a specialist.