With spring comes the return of environmental allergies, if you have them - snow mold, windy days, and pollen can bring on itchy eyes, sinus congestion, and runny noses. If you know that you typically experience seasonal allergies, now is the time to get started with a plan to reduce your symptoms throughout the year. My favourite strategies for managing allergy symptoms are:
- Quercetin
- Vitamin C
- Nettle
- NAC
- Acupuncture
- read more here
I have found that allergy sufferers have been experiencing more symptoms the last few years, which I suspect is due to inflammation, overwhelmed livers, and high stress levels. These are all things that we can work on together.
It's also a wonderful time to utilize liver supportive herbs or homeopathic remedies, as well as consider anti-parasitic protocols.
After approximately March 15th, the angle of the sun makes it possible to make Vitamin D again. Considering that most blood work is showing low Vitamin D levels in people that do not supplement or that supplement at a low dose, this is exciting news! There's an App called "My Circadian" and another called "D Minder" that can help you to determine your best times for sun exposure (I have no affiliation with these apps). There's some cool research that shows getting sunlight during the spring will help to prepare your skin and body for the stronger rays of summer light. Our bodies are so smart!
Now that the snow has melted, I encourage you to get outside to walk, if you are able, or on a walking treadmill indoors. Walking 8,000 steps per day has been shown to:
- lower heart disease risk & blood pressure
- reduce type 2 diabetes
- reduce risk of premature death by 40-50% (1)
- trim abdominal weight
- improve mood & well-being
- benefit joints
I can't wait to see you for your spring check-in!
Dr Christa
1.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/brisk-walking-1-to-2-days-a-week-reduce-all-cause-cardiovascular-mortality