
Spring has finally arrived with blossoms on the trees, soft, warm breezes, and the dreaded onset of the spring allergy blues for millions of people. The relief is in the form of over-the-counter drugs, but natural supplements are the doctor’s prescription for the majority of allergy patients as an alternative or complementary treatment. Here is the top list of allergy relief supplements to breathe easily this spring.
Understanding Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergy, hay fever, or allergic rhinitis is an immune system hypersensitivity reaction and hypersensitivity to inhaled allergens like pollen, mold spores, or grass. Hyper-sensitivity causes the release of histamines and other inflammatory chemicals and leads to the following symptoms:
•Sneezing, nasal stuffiness
•Watery, runny nose
•Stuffiness, sinus pressure
•Throat scratching
•Irritability, drowsiness
Decongestants and antihistamines are suitable for all, but supplements are a godsend with minimal or no side effects.
Best Vitamins for Treating Allergies
1. Quercetin
Quercetin is a fruit and vegetable flavonoid that one consumes daily like apples, onions, and green tea. Quercetin is an antihistamine and natural mast cell stabilizer and blocks the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators in allergy.
Action: Blocks formation and release of histamine and airway inflammation. Prophylactically should be administered, 4-6 weeks prior to the beginning of allergy season.
Dose: 500-1000mg/day, divided into two administrations. Purchase preparations containing bromelain, a purported absorption-augmenting enzyme.
2. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
Butterbur is strongly controversial among researchers due to evidence that it will reduce the intensity of allergic symptoms. Most investigations described it as comparable to available over-the-counter antihistamines but without causing drowsiness.
Mechanism of action: Butterbur petasins inhibited leukotrienes and histamines, chemicals believed to initiate allergic reaction.
Dosage of preference: 50-75mg twice a day active ingredient-standardized extract. PA-free preparations only to be used since they are the cause for the liver damage.
3. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Stinging nettle was used for two thousand years as an emollient allergic disorder treatment and had some degree of therapeutic efficacy in the vast majority of allergy symptom relief tests.
Mechanism of action: Stinging nettle has anti-inflammatory substances that inhibit histamine receptor action.
Recommended dose: 300-500mg freeze-dried nettle leaf capsule daily, or as tea.
4. Vitamin D
There had been research that showed low vitamin D status with increased allergy sensitivity in a recent study. Vitamin D is immunoregulatory.
Mode of action: Allergy-perpetuating immunity and anti-inflammatory cytokines are inhibited by vitamin D.
Best dose: 1000-2000 IU/day but best dose would have to be calculated from initiation values and would have to be done under a doctor’s supervision.
5. Probiotics
Gut and immune interface is study-validated more with more known about potential role of certain probiotics in allergy control.
Mechanism of action: Probiotics stabilize gut microbiome modulating the immune response. Normalcy will prevent allergic reaction.
Suggested usage: Take supplemental 10-20 billion CFU Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species daily.
6. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
The glutathione precursor, body-produced antioxidant, potent antimadator, a body-produced substance that is synthesized from the body’s own molecules.
Action: Thin mucus secretions and antioxidant ingredients which will suppress inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Recommended dose: Twice a day, and especially during pollination season, 600mg.
7. Spirulina
Blue-green algae, according to some research, have been found to be inhibitory of nasal allergic response.
Mechanism of action: Spirulina is found to have very high concentrations of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pigment phycocyanin. This has been found to be histamine release-suppressing.
Dosage: 2000mg/day, two times a day.
8. Bromelain
Bromelain is purified pineapple stalk anti-inflammatory enzyme.
Mechanism of action: Bromelain thins out nasal passages and loosens nasal mucus so one can breathe freely. Also, increases the absorption of quercetin when taken together.
Ideal dosage: Take 400-500mg food three times a day.
How to Make an Allergy Relief Plan a Success
To achieve best allergy relief supplement results, implement the following best practices
1. Start early: Take 4-6 weeks’ worth of supplements before allergy season so they will be on hand to take as preventive medication.
2. Preventatives: Supplement with environmental controls such as HEPA filters, sound-reducing cleaning, and closed windows when pollen seasons occur if pollen is an issue.
3. Regimen: All of the supplements must be taken on a regular basis if they are going to be effective.
4. Watch out for synergy: Symptom prevention through drug therapy will generally be synergistic and will occur with combination products.
5. Observe what occurs: Observe what supplements most effectively treat your own illnesses.
Safety Considerations
Even natural supplements will be safer than some drug but not absolutely risk-free
•Visit a physician: Always first visit your doctor prior to consuming a supplement, especially if you take medication or suffer from some chronic illness.
•Breast-feeding and pregnancy: Supplements simply don’t pass the scrutiny when it comes to breast-feeding or being pregnant.
•Best single attribute: Select an organization that insures the product is tested for strength and cleanliness by an unbiased third-party.
•Allergic reaction: Interestingly, one even develops an allergy to allergy supplements. Consume in small dosages and keep an eye on side effects,
Conclusion
Allergy relief supplement is a wonderful herbal medicine for palliative therapy of seasonal allergy symptomology. From the antihistaminic activity of quercetin to butterbur’s leukotriene inhibitory activity, these plant medications have more than one line of action against opposing the multi-factorial immune mechanisms involved in allergic reaction.
For all of us, holy grail is better balance between appropriately screened treatment and supplements and environmental control sustained. With some evidence base to the supplements and some intuition how to use them appropriately, you might have a mix plan so that you could breathe easily and spring magic without an allergic catastrophe.
Keep in mind as well that people respond differently and what is optimal for you would be optimal for another person. SLOW. And pay close attention at your body responding because that is where you are going to find out what allergy relief supplements will do in your case.