Fact: allergies are becoming an epidemic.
Worldwide, about a billion people suffer from allergic diseases. Scary when you consider that before the Industrial Revolution, allergies were so rare that there is virtually no mention of them in any of the old medical texts.
Allergies and climate change is a thing
Many people are unaware that climate change is driving the increase of allergies. An ongoing study of U.S. pollen levels by scientists from Rutgers University finds a steady increase in pollen production during this century and anticipates a near tripling of pollen levels from 2001 to 2040. This increase in pollen has less to do with rising temperatures and more to do with the pollution that is causing climate change.
A report published last year by the National Institute of Health (U.S.A.) attributes greater pollen to higher atmospheric carbon dioxide—the result of industrial and automotive pollution.
What you don’t know about pollen
Pollen grains are actually toxic. They contain an enzyme that damages the lining of the nose and lungs, which then encourages allergic reactions.
Pollution not only increases the pollen load, but it makes pollen more allergenic, causing grass pollen, for example, to express more of its allergy-inducing proteins. So polluted air damages our respiratory tissues and also creates a living environment that’s more likely to induce allergy.
The effects of this cascade far beyond the symptoms of hay fever: children exposed to heavy traffic have an increased risk of developing pollen allergy. Pollen allergy, in turn, impairs their school performance and sleep. Among adults, pollen allergy impedes driving skills and productivity at work. Scientists in the Netherlands found that pollen allergy impairs the operation of a motor vehicle to the same extent as drinking two cocktails.
The best way to manage your allergies is to identify their root cause and eliminate toxicity from the spaces we inhabit. Also consider taking a supplement like Releaf African Ginger, a product of natural origin with antihistaminic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity to support the management of allergic reactions, colds, coughs and influenza, as well as to help clear the nasal passages associated with cold symptoms. It can also be used to help support the management of asthma.
Content from:
Mindbodygreen.com
