Is Honey a Cure for Pollen Allergies?

Many purveyors of honey at local farmers markets highlight the allergy fighting benefits of honey.  The promise is that if you eat local honey for a few weeks before going to a new location you will build up a resistance to the allergens in the local air.  Is it true I don't know -- and I don't like honey.  But I thought it would be interesting to do a little research and see what others think. 

I was surprised to see that very little information existed on the allergy prevention benefits of local honey.  I found YouTube videos promoting everything from better digestion to better taste.  But very little on the allergy benefits of local honey.  One article from ABC News on the Go by Diane Sawyer Allergy Remedies -- Fact or Fiction? notes the idea of eating honey to prevent allergies doesn't work.  According to Neil Kao, an allergist and station head for the Allergic Disease and Asthma Center simply eating local honey picked up at a farmer's market is not going to help with your oak, ragweed or juniper tree allergy.  Kao said the pollen bees pick up from flowers is heavier than the grass or tree pollen that are the main causes of springtime allergy misery.

There is a limited study noted in the same article that people who are allergic to birch pollen who ate honey with birch pollen added were able to control their allergy symptoms more than those who used mainstream medicines.

I find this interesting and may have to find a way to give honey a try. Another thing I heard is that people who have oral allergies or are allergic to fruit are allergic to birch pollen.  In another posting I will investigate that and if honey can play a role in helping people with oral allergies.

Gluten Intolerance and Lactose Intolerance are not Allergies

Gluten and Lactose can cause many people symptoms and problems that are similar to those of food allergies.  Food allergies are an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food.  Intolerance of gluten and lactose is a less serious condition that does not involve the immune system. More information on the differences can be found at the mayo clinic website www.mayclinic.org/foodallergy.

Although technically not an allergy gluten intolerance can be painful and uncomfortable.  It can also lead to celiac disease.  Most people know that lactose intolerance is an intolerance to milk and milk products such as cheese and ice cream.  I did not know what gluten was or what happens if it causes you a problem.  Gluten, I learned is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.  

I read a very good article about gluten intolerance by Katrina Plyer who found out she had celiac disease and was gluten intolerant. The article can be found at www.health.usnews.com/surprisingsignsof glutenintolerance.   She notes that many of the symptoms of gluten intolerance can mimic those of an allergy.  

Symptoms can include:

• Gastrointestinal effects
• Malabsorption of vitamins
• Skin rash
• Migraines
• Joint Pain
• Lactose Intolerance
• Chronic Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia

Gastrointestinal problems are common for food allergy sufferers as are skin rashes.  It is difficult to tell whether one is suffering from an allergy or an intolerance.  

The solution for both though is to avoid an foods that cause distress.