By Mishra H. Keller, CHHC, Founder and Director of Nutrisults

Are your allergy symptoms getting the best of you? Don’t blame the pollen and the blooming plants for your misery! It’s your immune system that needs a boost. Check out these 5 action steps that will keep your immune system strong and protected from whatever seasonal stuff Mother Nature can conjure up! What would your life look life if you were free of the seasonal allergy drudgery?!

1. Drink more water – The body is 75% water, so it makes sense that this essential fluid must be continually replenished. We can go a month without food, but we can live only two or three days without water. It is crucial to our survival. Unfortunately, a large majority of the American population is dehydrated, which contributes significantly to a poor state of health. Regularly flushing out the kidneys and bladder with water ensures that dead cells and other waste products can be expelled before they reach toxic levels. Purchase a re-usable water bottle and start experimenting with the amount of water that is best for your body and level of activity.

 

2. Increase leafy green vegetables – And I’m not talking about iceberg lettuce! I mean the darker more nutrient dense greens like, kale, collards, mustard greens, arugula and spinach. (Although spinach is highly nutritious, it should be eaten in moderation due to the high oxalic acid content, which depletes calcium from bones and teeth.) Learning to cook and eat greens is essential for creating lasting health. Greens help build up our internal rainforest and strengthen our circulatory and respiratory systems. Greens purify the blood, strengthen the immune system, promote healthy intestinal flora and improve liver, gallbladder and kidney function. They are also helpful in clearing of congestion, especially in the lungs, and for reducing mucus. If dark leafy greens are missing from your daily menu, try selecting a new green at the market each week. A great resource to support you with this is Greens, Glorious Greens! by by Johnna Albi & Catherine Walthers.

 

3. Eat less processed sugar, meat and dairy – Yeah I said it. I’m not saying that you have to give it up for good, just eat less of it. Processed sugar feeds the bacteria that are present in our bodies. When too much sugar is present, an overgrowth of that bacteria can occur which can cause us to be more susceptible to damaging toxins and other environmental triggers. Dairy products can cause digestive problems and are mucus forming. Excessive meat eating can wreak havoc on your digestive system, because meat is more difficult for your body to digest. Not to mention the toxic environment that it can cause if you’re not eating enough fiber to move it along and it literally gets stuck in there! 70% of your immune system is clustered around the gut. The last thing that your body needs during allergy season is a compromised immune system. If you do eat these foods, be sure to choose the freshest and highest quality. Look for organic meat products, natural sweeteners and unprocessed dairy where available.

 

4. Eat locally and seasonally – Eating seasonally is one of the best things that you can do for your immune system. Mother Nature is a smart gal. She produces the perfect, most nourishing and supportive foods, at exactly the right time of year. This is an especially advantageous time for allergy prevention because it’s spring. This is the time of year when it’s natural for the body to cleanse anyway. If you’re eating the type of foods that are growing around you right now, then you will be helping your body facilitate the cleansing process, therefore keeping your body free of an overly toxic environment. Check out farmer’s markets and local farms that offer Community Supported Agriculture programs for the best value locally grown and produced food items.

 

5. Get your optimal amount of sleep daily – Sleep helps us thrive by contributing to a healthy immune system. Even though you’re off in restful dreamland, your body is still hard at work doing things like growing and repairing tissue and resting and repairing neurons. If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and release of hormones regulating growth and appetite. Everyone’s body is different, so there is no one magic number of required hours of sleep for optimal health. Experiment and figure out how many hours you need to wake up rested and ready for the day, and then make sure you’re getting that amount daily.

Mishra H. Keller lives in Chicago, Illinois. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) with dual certifications in Holistic Health Counseling from IIN and Columbia University. She is an expert in the areas of diet and nutrition, personal relationships, business development and marketing, career guidance, sustainable lifestyle changes and spiritual development. Ms. Keller works with clients via phone and in person at The Rosenthal Clinic at 122 S. Michigan Ave

Mishra H. Keller, CHHC, Owner www.nutrisults.com 

773-649-9454