Sinus infections can bring your life to a screeching halt. I would know, I dealt with chronic sinus infections for over 25 years and endured four sinus surgeries. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know when it comes to the best foods for sinus infections.
The best foods for sinus infections should include super foods such as kale, broccoli, cabbage, as well as colorful low sugar berries packed with Vitamin C. Think blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. Make sure however, to avoid sugar and processed foods while recovering from a sinus infection. Bone broth also packs a powerful punch as it helps to reduce mucus while boosting the immune system.
Vegetables on top on a rustic surface.
6 Best Foods For Sinus Infection
1. Garlic
Garlic is a powerful antifungal! It can also fight against bacteria and viruses. It’s also has protective properties against cancer and is great for the heart.
2. Greens
Greens are another powerful antifungal as well as a potent anti-inflammatory. Green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli are all associated with lower cancer rates. I have a post entitled 3 ways to eat more fruits and vegetables (even if you hate them). Many of us have trouble with the desire to consume more vegetables. I have some great tricks and tips in that post to help you easily up your intake of vegetables.
3. Berries
Berries contain antioxidants which help fight free radicals that contribute to chronic sinusitis. They are also a good choice because they are low in sugar and are easily added to juices and smoothies where they can mask the flavor of green vegetables. This works particularly well for children.
4. Ginger
Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and also contains antimicrobial activities. It can be easily added to morning juices. I make a fruit and vegetable juice for my teenage son every morning. You can find my recipe here if you need juicing ideas.
5. Water
Drink plenty of fresh water to help flush out the sinuses. Water also helps to thin the mucus and keep your cilia moving! Staying hydrated is especially important when are bodies are fighting infection as water plays a role in the kidneys filtering out waste. We can also loose fluids when we are sick leading to dehydration.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil will not only help with inflammation but is also a terrific antifungal.
Watch My TV Interview About My Decades Long Battle With Sinus Infections
Those are the best foods for a sinus infection, below is a list of foods on the “avoid” list.
6 Worst Foods When You Have A Sinus Infection
1. Sugar
Sugar should especially be avoided as it fuels yeast and fungus, as well as weaken your immune system. Studies have proven mice become more addicted to sugar than cocaine when given the chose between the two. We all know humans can feel a strong addiction to sugar as well making it very hard to kick the sugar habit. There are plenty of sugar substitutes that are healthy options such as xylitol and monk fruit. Avoid man-made sugar substitutes that are harmful to human health.
2. Processed Foods
Processed foods are usually full of sugar and preservatives which will only weaken your immune defenses. They also tend to contain artificial colors and dyes. If you have any food allergies you may already know that these types of ingredients can many times cause allergic reactions. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store bypassing all of the pre-made, prepackaged foods.
3. Wheat and Gluten
Wheat and gluten cause many people allergic reactions. They may even be as subtle as a stuffy nose and they may not realize this reaction is stemming from a wheat or gluten allergy. These types of foods notoriously contain fungi which we now know can be one of the culprits in chronic sinus infections.
4. Dairy
Consuming dairy can cause some to experience an increase in mucus. Allergic inflammation causes swelling in the nose and around the opening of the ear canal according to Allergy.org.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol can cause swelling in the nasal passages as well as dehydration so it is best to be avoided.
6. Tomatoes
As healthy fruits and vegetables are for us, tomatoes can trigger the release of histamine in the body.
Note: I try to follow the Kaufmann diet. Here you can read more about the Kaufmann diet along with a fill list of what you can eat along with easy recipes.
Why Are Sinus Infections So Hard to Treat?
A sinus infection can be difficult to treat. What complicates matters is the possibility of having a sinus fungal infection in combination with a bacterial infection. Bacteria are opportunist. Oftentimes where there is bacteria in the sinuses there is also fungus. The Mayo Clinic has come to the conclusion that 96% of all sinuses infections are fungal in nature. The fact that bacteria are usually present just complicates matters. Proceeding by attacking the bacterial infections with antibiotics fuels the fungal infection which causes the bacteria to come back shortly after antibiotic treatment. You can see how this maddening cycle continues if one is unaware of the fungal component.
Finding a physician that is well trained in fungus is crucial as outcomes are typically better if a proper culture is done to detect the exact bacteria and fungus growing in ones sinuses. Unfortunately, many people are given round after round of antibiotics without a culture being done. Essentially the doctor has decided to give a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is known to knock out two major bacterial groups. In my case, and maybe in your case, a different antibiotic will be needed.
Because extensive antibiotic use is associated with higher cancer rates, it is best to not waste time “guessing” at which antibiotic will work best. A proper culture will not only show what pathogen is growing in your sinuses, but will also show which antibiotic will work best (susceptible to the pathogen) and even which antibiotic the pathogen is resistant to. As you can see this is vitally important information to have. Most Ear Nose and Throat doctors will not normally go the extra mile and suggest a fungal culture as well. You can kindly ask for one and if you find you are getting resistance from your doctor it may be time to find a new physician.
Finding A Fungal Literate ENT Physician To Treat Your Sinus Infection
Finding an Ear Nose and Throat who is proficient in all things fungal is tough. That Mayo Clinic bombshell back in 1999 I told you about earlier didn’t seem to find its way into medical training in a drastic way. So where do you find a fungal ENT? Doug Kaufmann of Know The Cause suggests visiting a compound pharmacy. Compound pharmacies customize medications to patients needs. Particularly fungal medications such as Nystatin. I personally flew to another state to see Dr. Donald Dennis. In my opinion there is no one better who understands the complexities of fungal sinusitis. Dr. Dennis is also interested in treating the entire body (even though he is an ENT) and not just the sinuses. He has a line of Microbalance products and supplements which can help one recover from mold illness and/or toxic mold exposure.
My Book Eat Pray Get Well – A Journey from Chronic Illness & Brokenness to Wholeness & Healing is now available on Amazon and my website. Exclusive interviews with Doug Kaufmann – host of televisions Know The Cause, Joe Cross of Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, renowned cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, Supermodel Carol Alt and so much more…
Below Watch My TV Interview on PBS American Health Journal – I discuss my decades of chronic illness due to mold exposure.
Medical Disclaimer – I am not a doctor. My blog does not provide official medical advice. I can not recommend any supplement or treatment plan. Information provided on this site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
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