By Taj Panesar Kingston University

The marked changes in the western diet over the last decade seem to play a significant role in atopic diseases such as Asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). A decreased consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and milk has lead to the hypothesis that epidemiological changes of these diseases are associated with the changes in the food consumption in individuals1. Deficiency in dietary antioxidants and changes in dietary balance between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) which includes fish oil, fish, shellfish and leafy vegetables, and omega 6- PUFA which include vegetable fat, such as margarine and processed foods seem to play an important role in allergic reactions. In a recent study conducted in Europe it was discovered that a protective effect for vegetable and fresh fruit consumption but it showed a negative effect for butter and margarine use on wheezing symptoms in children. Apart from butter, none of these foods were associated with allergic rhinitis1 . Butter used for pasta was correlated with allergic rhinitis.

Margarine is rich in 6-PUFA while butter is an animal fat rich in saturated fatty acids. Recent ecological study across 37 centres in Europe showed a positive association between daily intake of monosaturated fatty acid and prevalence of allergic sensitisation in adults1 . Overall, PUFA has been shown to modify cell-mediated immunity, as well IgE production and allergic responses. But 3-PUFA and 6-PUFA have opposite effects and roles in controlling inflammation therefore it is important to balance these aspects in a diet to overcome allergic rhinitis symptoms. Antioxidants and fatty acids play an important role since they influence the immunological and inflammatory response that are key importance1 to allergy rhinitis and asthma. It is shown that atopic patients have an altered composition in serum and cell membranes, while a balance 3-PUFA and 6-PUFA metabolism exists in nonallergic children5

When it comes to antioxidants the lack of beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E may increase susceptibility to oxidant attack and airway inflammation3 , while fatty acids might have a negative impact on the immune and inflammatory responses. Recently other nutrients have come into play such as magnesium intake, saturated fats and other antioxidants like selenium that might be involved in the management of these and other allergic diseases

Vitamin C is the major antioxidant substance in the airways and it protects against endogenous and exogenous oxidant molecules3 . Vitamin E, which can be found in olive oil is a fat-soluble constituent of cell membrane and represents the body's principal defense against oxidant-induced membrane injury4. It also suppresses neutrophil migration and inhibits immunoglobulin (Ig) E production, which possibly leads to the hypersensitivity experienced in allergic reactions and leading to the production of histamine, which plays an important role in asthma and allergy rhinitis. Lastly it is important to mention the consumption of milk since its considered a proxy for vitamin A intake but symptomatic children seem to avoid milk because it is one of the most allergenic foods. Therefore it is important to maintain a healthy diet with high content in vitamin C and E, and there should a strict balance between two categories of PUFA foods to avoid allergenic symptoms to allergic rhinitis and asthma

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Allergy UK
www.allergyuk.org

BBC Weather – pollen count
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pollen

National Society for Research in Allergy
www.all-allergy.co.uk

National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit
http://www.pollenuk.co.uk/
http://www.pollenuk.co.uk/aero/ABPollenUK.html

Pollen UK
The pollen and spore monitoring network of the United Kingdom .

http://www.aaaai.org/AADMC/
The Allergy and Asthma Disease Management Center (AADMC) Web site has been constructed to provide timely, practical and important information to physicians from a wide variety of backgrounds and clinical practice.

http://www.allergyuk.org/art_hayfever.aspx
Allergy UK is the country's leading national medical charity dealing with allergy and we are here to help you. Allergy UK provides you with up to date information on all aspects of allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity.

http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/hayfever.html
website including conventional information on hayfever.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hay_fever/article_em.htm
Everything you need to know about hayfever including the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis.

http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/hayfever.htm
Directed by Dr. Morris, which talks about what is allergy, who gets allergy including hayfever or allergy rhinitis and other allergy products.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/allergies/allergicconditions_hayfever.shtml

www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pollen
BBC usually has a section on hayfever every season, probably the best link on this list!

http://www.allergyadvice.co.uk/
Allergy advice that offers up to date information in relation to Benadryl.

www.all-allergy.co.uk
National society for research in allergy

1. Farchi S, Forastiere F et al. Dietary factors associated with wheezing and allergic rhinitis in children. European Respiratory Journal 2003; 22: 772-780

2. Weiland SK, von Mutius E et al . Intake of trans fatty acids and prevalence of childhood asthma and allergies in Europe . ISAAC Steering Committee. Lancet 1999: 12: 2040-2041.

3.Heffner JE, Repine JE. Pulmonary strategies of antioxidant defence. Am Rev Resp Dis 1989; 140: 531-554.

4.Huang SL. Pan WH. Dietary fats and asthma in teenagers: analyses of the first Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan . Clin Exp Allergy 2001: 31: 1875-1880

5.Bolte G, Frye C, Hoelscher B, Meyer I, Wjst M, Heinrich J. Margarine consumption and allergy in children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 163: 277-279