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2024.07.31
Combat Hay Fever with Diet and Supplements! A Cosmetic Internal Medicine Specialist Explains How to Control It from Within
To maximize your beauty, care for both the inside and outside is essential. We aim to bring advanced anti-aging treatments, such as peptide therapy common overseas, to our Japanese patients. While aesthetic medical approaches may offer more gradual results, they are crucial for building the foundation that supports beauty and youth. We combine nutritional therapy and lifestyle improvements with hormone replacement, peptide therapy, and regenerative medicine to propose personalized treatment plans. We provide long-term support for health and beauty from within.
Hello, everyone.
I am Yoko Maeda, the supervising physician at BIANCA Aesthetic Medicine.
Profile of Dr. Yoko Maeda, Director of Aesthetic Medicine
Completed initial training at Okinawa Prefectural Nanbu Medical Center and Children's Medical Center. Worked in the Department of Radiology at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and at an aesthetic clinic. Encountered high-dose vitamin C intravenous therapy at a seminar by the Intravenous Therapy Research Society. Studied abroad as a Research Fellow at the Riordan Clinic in the United States. Achieved notable accomplishments, including passing the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine's specialist certification exam at the youngest age.
Currently serving as a Medical Director of Aesthetic Medicine at BIANCA. The role of a Medical Director of Aesthetic Medicine is to approach healthy beauty by caring for the body from within. As a professional in anti-aging care that treats aging from the inside out, I support patients in improving their constitution and maintaining a youthful appearance for years to come by proposing personalized treatments such as natural hormone replacement therapy, peptide therapy, and supplement therapy.
＜Professional Affiliations and Qualifications＞
・Director, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Medicine
・American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Certified Specialist
・A4M Anti-Aging, Metabolism, and Functional Medicine Fellowship
・Certified Chelation Specialist, American Academy of Advanced Medical Sciences
＜Check out more information about Dr. Yoko Maeda's aesthetic medicine practice here＞
Dr. Yoko Maeda's Instagram account isHere
The official Instagram account for BIANCA isHere
The official YouTube account for BIANCA isHere
Many people suffer from hay fever, finding it impossible to go outside without masks or glasses when pollen season arrives. For those with severe symptoms, it can lead to skin irritation and disrupt daily life, making the season for cedar and cypress pollen a real downer.
This time, we'll discuss the mechanism of hay fever and countermeasures you can take yourself.
The Mechanism of Hay Fever
Hay fever, as the name suggests, is an allergic disease caused by plant pollen.
When pollen entering the body is recognized as a foreign substance, IgE antibodies are produced to protect the body. IgE antibodies bind to mast cells in the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, which are involved in allergy symptoms.
When pollen adheres in that state, mast cells secrete chemical messengers that stimulate nerves and blood vessels, causing the eyes and nose to become irritated in an attempt to expel the pollen—this is the mechanism of hay fever.
To remove pollen that has entered the body, symptoms such as itchy eyes, redness, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion occur.
Allergy treatments available at the clinic
First, among the hay fever countermeasures available at clinics, antiallergic medications are a key option. They come in various forms, such as oral medications and nasal sprays, and their effectiveness and side effects vary.
For individuals whose symptoms cannot be controlled with antiallergic medications, subcutaneous injections of histaglobin or neurotropin may also be used.
Additionally, Botox, which blocks neurotransmitters, is sometimes used for pollen allergy treatment. For severe pollen allergies, a highly effective medication called Xolair is now covered by insurance.
Even those who have not seen improvement in their hay fever symptoms with medication may find relief.
Home Remedies for Hay Fever
The body's attempt to remove foreign substances is part of the human immune response. Regulating the intestinal environment to maintain a healthy immune system is also an important part of managing hay fever.
To manage hay fever in daily life, it's also important to avoid foods that trigger inflammation.
＜Foods That Can Cause Inflammation＞
- ・Sugar
- ・Flour
- ・Dairy products
- ・Alcohol
- ・Omega-6 fatty acids found in sesame oil, mayonnaise, eggs, etc.
＜Foods Less Likely to Cause Inflammation＞
- ・Vegetables
- ・Foods containing high-quality protein such as meat, fish, and soy products
- ・Whole grains such as brown rice and rye with low GI values
- ・Omega-3 fatty acids found in perilla oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, etc.
To combat hay fever, it's advisable to avoid foods that trigger inflammation and consciously consume foods with anti-inflammatory properties. This can also help alleviate hay fever symptoms.
Consuming foods that are less likely to trigger histamine release can also help alleviate hay fever symptoms.
Foods That Promote Histamine Secretion
- ・Fermented foods such as cheese
- ・Red wine
- ・Chocolate
- ・Spinach
- ・Banana
- ・Pineapple
- ・Mushrooms
- ・Avocado
We also recommend actively incorporating these foods into your diet.
Pollen Allergy Countermeasures You Can Take with Supplements
Another way to combat hay fever is by using supplements that provide easy nutritional support.
Nutrients Recommended for Hay Fever Relief
- ・Vitamin C
- ・Vitamin D
- ・OMEGA-3 (Fish Oil)
- ・NAC
Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Omega-3 (fish oil) help reduce inflammation and are recommended for everyone.
Additionally, NAC, a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, has been found to suppress inflammation caused by hay fever, reduce mucus viscosity, and alleviate congestion and mucus buildup associated with hay fever.
Although it is a small-scale clinical trial, NAC has also demonstrated efficacy against ragweed. For those who find it difficult to manage symptoms with vitamin C, vitamin D, or omega-3, trying NAC may be worthwhile.
Points to Note in Medical Treatment
Dietary and supplement approaches to hay fever management focus on improving your body's constitution. Rather than expecting immediate results, this approach aims to regulate your body. Therefore, we recommend starting 3 to 6 months before the peak pollen season to build up your defenses.
If you suffer from hay fever, please come in for a consultation. From the perspective of a cosmetic internal medicine specialist, we will propose an approach to help you become beautiful from the inside out.
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