Simple Food ~ Sane Life

Nutrient Restoration!

Allergy season is upon us! The local pharmacies are busy places, with some people looking for quick relief and others stocking up for the long haul. There’s a wide selection of medicines to choose from ranging from a variety of pills and syrups, to eye drops and nasal sprays. These treatments can be quite effective to get us through the allergy seasons. Remember,

Anytime you add something in, something else leaves.

When we are adding in treatments of any kind your body can and will often be depleted of nutrients.

Nutrient Restoration to the rescue! Farmacodynamics ~ the effects that organic whole foods have on the body!

Inhaled and oral corticosteroids, such as Flonase, Nasonex, Advair, Flovent, Pulmicort, to name a few, which are used to treat allergies and other respiratory conditions are known to deplete calcium, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamin c, vitamin d and zinc.(1) The foods that can restore these nutrients are plentiful!

Calcium: Some good sources are dairy, dark leafy green vegetables, seafood, sardines, almonds, asparagus, broccoli, brewer’s yeast, cabbage, carrots, carob, figs, kelp and other seaweeds, tofu. Herbs: alfalfa, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, fennel seed, fenugreek, flaxseed, raspberry leaves, hops, nettle, parsley.

Folic acid: Good food sources of folic acid include asparagus, beets, broccoli, avocados, Brussels sprouts, dried beans, chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, oranges, fresh peas, turkey, savory cabbage, bok choy, and spinach.

Magnesium: Magnesium is found is most foods. Some good sources are meat, fish, dairy, seafood, apples, bananas, avocados, apricots, brown rice, cantaloupe, figs, garlic, grapefruit, kelp, tofu, lemons, peaches, and whole grains.

Potassium: Good sources are apricots, avocados, lima beans, bananas, dates, dulse, brown rice, garlic, potatoes, nuts, raisins, yams, yogurt, figs, and spinach.

Selenium: Brazil nuts are the only concentrated source. Other good sources are broccoli, chicken, brown rice, dairy, kelp, garlic, liver, onions, salmon, seafood, root vegetables and whole grains

Vitamin C: Good sources are berries, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, brussell sprouts, onions, papayas, green peas, pineapples, radishes, and sweet peppers.

Vitamin D: Sunlight is the best source. Good food sources are: various fish liver oils, mackerel, halibut, salmon, sardines, oysters, eggs, dairy, butter, dandelion greens, liver, shiitake and chanterelle mushrooms, steal cut whole grain oatmeal, sweet potatoes, alfalfa, parsley, horsetail, and nettle.

Zinc: Good sources are eggs yolks, fish, oysters, lamb, legumes, kelp, liver, mushrooms, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, whole grains, poultry, alfalfa, cayenne, burdock root, chickweed, fennel seed, parsley, and sage.

If you are using a steroid for your allergies or respiratory issue, please make a grocery list and include the items that you enjoy eating from the list. There’s something for every meal of the day. Play with your food! See which ones balance out the imbalances.

Meal time is not just another pretty plate! It’s common knowledge that when we breathe easier we have more energy and our food tastes better.

I hope this has you munching and dining with a new appreciation and insight! Reconnect in gratitude for the breath of fresh air it provides your body and life.

Peace,

Karyn

1. Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook (Paperback)2001, Lexi-Comp, by Pharmacists: Ross Pelton, James B LaValle, Ernest B Hawkins, Daniel L Krinsky.
   

As always, if you take these products in supplement form please consult your doctor or pharmacist for any drug or other health contraindications. No matter how well researched, this blog is not a substitute for medical advice.