Allergies

Allergies and Functional Medicine

Here’s the thing, I love science! My husband, the forever punk, is still surprised that he married such a nerd.

I love learning new things, learning the why and the how, learning how it all fits together. This has been evident throughout my life.

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🟢 To know how the world fits together 👉 biology degree with chemistry minor

🟢 To know how I can push myself 👉 rock climber

🟢 To know how the body works 👉 physical therapy degree

🟢 To get really deep into it 👉 orthopedic clinical specialist

🟢 To know how to help others reach greater potential 👉 residency mentor, director & accreditation site visitor

🟢 To know how the body really fits together with nutrition 👉 functional medicine certified health coach

So now 👉 to know how allergies really work…

My Experience

Allergies are something I’ve dealt with for as long as I can remember. And boy do they disrupt life! I saw allergy specialists, ENTs, had CT scans, years of allergy shots, all the meds and nasal sprays, and nothing really made any great changes. I could take 4 pills a day and still have tissues all over the house, couldn’t wear makeup because my eyes watered so much, and had areas around my body with dray scaley patches. All. Year. Round. It drained my energy, kept me from focusing on work and life, and didn’t allow me to really find the joy I wanted when “enjoying” the outdoors.

Allergy Medications

So it turns out all those medications with all their promises do not address the actual cause of your allergies! No wonder they minimally work!

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Here’s what they actually do:

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🔴 They mask symptoms

🔴 They do not lower your histamine levels

🔴 They cause brain fog and fatigue

🔴 They cause digestive issues and long-term immune suppression

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And that explains why my allergies continued to worsen over time, even with “proper” care.

A Functional Approach to Allergies

If your body is inflamed (that low level constant inflammation that you don’t even know you have) you’re living at the threshold of overload. Your body learns to react to things like  pollen or dust or fragrances quickly, because it’s already at the edge. You get exposed, the inflammation crosses the line, and now your body is in a full-blown immune response. Cue watery eyes, sneezing, etc. This even leads to skin issues like eczema. Fascinating stuff, really.

Key Factors That Contribute to Allergies

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⚫Inflammation: Chronic inflammation exacerbates allergic reactions. Identifying and reducing inflammatory triggers like processed foods or environmental toxins can help calm the immune system.

⚫ Gut Health: We’ve all heard of the gut microbiome by now. It plays a critical role in immune function. In fact, the majority of your immune system lines the gut! Dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) contributes to chronic inflammation and heightened allergic responses.

⚫ Environmental Factors: Mold exposure, air pollution, and chemical irritants can overload the immune system and worsen allergies. Having a clean home free of major chemical toxins can make a big difference.

⚫ Stress: Talk about increasing inflammation. Chronic stress signals your body to stay on high alert, weakening barriers in your gut, lungs, and skin, and lowering your resilience to allergens.

What To Do About It

Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of nutrition, environment and reducing stressors in managing allergies. Here are key dietary strategies that may help reduce symptoms:

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🟡 Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon, chia seeds), antioxidants (e.g., berries, leafy greens), and polyphenols (e.g., green tea) to reduce inflammation.

🟡 Elimination Diets: Identify food sensitivities by temporarily removing common allergens like dairy, gluten, soy, or eggs. These take work, but are short-term.

🟡 Gut-Healing Foods: Add fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir and fiber-rich vegetables to support a healthy microbiome.

🟡 Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods: These contribute to inflammation and can worsen allergy symptoms.

Take Control of Your Allergies Today

Some changes are harder than others, but it's possible to make them, especially with support. You don’t have to live with constant discomfort or rely solely on medications that mask symptoms. There’s a way to address to root cause of your allergies. That’s something I didn’t know for 40 years! Once I got through all the treatments and nothing worked, I thought it was just my lot in life. But it wasn’t!

What You’ll Gain From Working With Me

👉 A personalized plan designed around you - your body, your lifestyle, and your goals.

👉 Support in uncovering food triggers and restoring balance to your gut health.

👉 Simple, natural tools to calm inflammation and boost your energy.

👉 Ongoing accountability and encouragement as you create lasting change.

👉 A clear path toward relief from allergy symptoms, and the freedom to live your life fully, anywhere, anytime.

Ready to transform your life?

Let’s work together! Schedule a free strategy session today to learn how functional medicine coaching and my programs can help you rise above your allergy symptoms naturally and sustainably so you can breathe freely, think clearly and live fully.

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References

1. Bischoff SC et al. (2016). Gut microbiota-related mechanisms in food allergy. Frontiers in Immunology, 7(319).

2. Calder PC et al. (2010). Dietary factors influencing inflammation: Effects on immune function and chronic disease risk. Nutrition Research Reviews, 23(2), 94–105.

3. Skypala IJ et al. (2015). Food intolerance and allergy: Impact on quality of life. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 45(1), 182–192.

4. Bunyavanich S, Berin MC. Food allergy and the microbiome: Current understandings and future directions. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019 Dec;144(6):1468-1477.