A Supplement to Relieve Your Allergies

Spring has arrived! Finally. And with it comes allergies.

If you suffer from pollen and other outdoor—or indoor—allergies, a study appearing in this month’s issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has good news for you.

Researchers found that supplementing with folic acid can help relieve your allergy symptoms. When you have allergies, your body’s immune system produces more IgE antibodies than it needs to. The result is they typical allergy response—watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose.

However, people who have higher levels of folic acid in their system also have less IgE antibodies—that means fewer allergy symptoms.

Currently researchers don’t fully understand how folic acid works to reduce IgE production, so further research in merited before doctors start using folic acid supplements to treat allergies.

That being said, many people don’t get enough folic acid from their diets as it is, so if you suffer from allergies you should at least make sure you’re getting some folic acid from your multi-vitamin. You need between 400 and 800 mcg each day between food and your supplements.

In addition to folic acid, there are other supplements that you can consider for allergy relief.

One of my favorites is quercetin. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in fruits and vegetables like apples and red onions. When taken as a supplement quercetin helps to keep your cells from releasing histamines that produce allergy symptoms. Rather than reducing the level of IgE antibodies, quercetin works to reduce the reaction of your cells to the antibodies.

Another good supplement is gamma linolenic acid, or GLA. This is an essential fatty acid that helps to reduce inflammation. Some research shows that people with allergies tend to have lower levels of GLA in their systems. By supplementing with GLA, you might lower your allergy symptoms. The best way to supplement with GLA is to take evening primrose oil.

Allergies can make the nicest weather seem miserable, but with these supplements, you can begin to bring your allergies under control… and then you can love the summer again.

Stay well,
Meghan Krohn

Being Rich and Having Allergies—What's the Link?

When I was growing up I had a cousin who suffered with horrible allergies. He spent every spring and summer wheezing, sneezing and rubbing his itchy, red eyes. It was a real nuisance, but certainly not life threatening.

Nowadays, many of the allergies out there are more serious. I heard a news story the other day about a young man who died from accidentally eating a meal prepared with peanut oil—I'm sure you've heard similar stories.

Peanut allergies are one of the deadliest allergies out there. In fact, it surprises me whenever I get a pack of peanuts on a plane anymore. You would think the airlines would not want to risk the liability.

Unfortunately, allergies are on the rise in this country. Food allergies, environmental allergies, allergy-triggered asthma… they’re all increasing. What's strange is that according to a recent study the rise is happening only in affluent countries.

As the standard of living increases so does the incidence of allergies. For example, people in industrialized nations are four times more likely to have allergy-induced asthma than those in undeveloped nations.

So just what's going on? You think that with the advantages of nutrition, medicine and good hygiene there would be less allergies not more.

Actually, the advances in hygiene and sterilization are a big part of the problem when it comes to allergies. We live in such sterile, clean environments anymore that our immune systems aren't challenged the way they were meant to be. When your immune system isn't occasionally challenged by viruses or bacteria it can become confused. When that happens it is more likely to attack minor intruders like pollen, mold, or certain foods. Normally, these things are harmless, but allergies can make them dangerous.

The overuse of antibiotics is also part of the problem. Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in your gut, which can make you more prone to allergies.

So what do you do? How do you prevent your body from developing allergies? I don't think there's one surefire answer to that question, but here are a few tips that will get you started in the right direction.

For starters, I suggest you get more good bacteria by eating more yogurt and maybe taking a probiotic supplement.

Also, open your windows now and again. We live in such sterile environments that it's a detriment to our health. Letting in some fresh air from the outside can be helpful.

Try cutting out processed foods. Science has shown that the chemicals and preservatives in processed foods you consume are making your body more sensitive and prone to allergies. And it’s no surprise that there’s a correlation between affluent nations and allergies since most developed countries have an abundance of fast food restaurants and grocery stores filled with processed foods.

Also it would be wise to make smart decisions about antibiotics. Basically don’t over use them. And many doctors will tell you that they are wasted if you are combating a virus—since they only work on bacteria. If you must take them, make sure you finish the prescription completely and try taking a probiotic supplement to restore the good bacteria that are wiped out by the antibiotics.

A few simple steps like these can help keep your immune system well-adjusted and working the way it should.

Stay well,

Al Serin