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For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring can mean itchy eyes, runny noses, stuffy throats, and a general feeling of complete misery.
While many people rely on over-the-counter allergy medications, you may be surprised that nature has some potent anti-allergy relief solutions. Many individuals prefer more natural allergy relief solutions due to the possibility of a lowered risk of side effects and an appreciation for a more holistic way of life.
Here are 6 natural compounds that may bring back the spring in your step by helping relieve allergies naturally.
Vitamins play an essential role in maintaining the body's overall health, from supporting healthy growth to glowing skin and strong nails. Research suggests that vitamins like C and D may also reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that the body uses for many processes, from making collagen to supporting the immune system. Vitamin C may also help with allergy relief.
Vitamin C may prevent mast cells from releasing histamine into the body. Mast cells are immune cells that help protect the body against pathogens. When faced with foreign invaders, mast cells release certain molecules, like heparin and histamine, into the bloodstream and the tissues of the body. Histamine is one of the primary molecules that may cause allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, and swelling.
Studies suggest that vitamin C may help prevent the release of histamine in response to allergens.
One clinical study focused on the effect of vitamin C on histamine levels in 89 patients. The study involved 19 patients with allergic diseases and 70 with infectious diseases. 7.5 grams of vitamin C was administered intravenously (through IV) to each patient. The study found that serum histamine levels decreased in all patients, but there was a more significant decrease in patients with allergic disease.
Studies suggest that vitamin C may help decrease histamine production or stop mast cells from releasing it. While vitamin C is thought to play a role in histamine, vitamin D may provide allergy relief differently.
Vitamin D is usually associated with bone health, but this body-made vitamin also has other important roles, like supporting the immune system.
Studies suggest that vitamin D helps reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, widely known as hay fever. A meta-analysis focused on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on hay fever. After reviewing over 2000 articles and 5 randomized controlled trials, the meta-analysis found that compared to placebo, vitamin D supplementation without corticosteroid use reduced hay fever symptoms.
Another meta-analysis wanted to see the results of vitamin D supplementation on children who suffered from allergic diseases. The study analyzed the results of 32 randomized controlled trials involving over 2,000 participants and found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a reduction in the severity of symptoms of atopic dermatitis and hay fever.
Research indicates that vitamin D may help with allergy relief by regulating the immune system.
While vitamins may have potent allergy relief properties, studies suggest minerals like zinc may also provide powerful natural relief.
Zinc is a mineral necessary for over 300 body reactions. Its deficiency has been associated with everything from slow growth to poor immune health.
Studies suggest that zinc deficiency may also contribute to allergies. Multiple studies have linked zinc deficiency to a significantly increased risk of developing allergy symptoms that are five times higher than those who don't have zinc deficiency.
Consequently, zinc supplementation may help alleviate allergy symptoms. One interventional study focused on the effects of oral zinc supplementation for those with severe seasonal allergies. The study involved 34 patients divided into 2 groups. The treatment group received 40 mg of zinc a day and cetirizine, an antihistamine. The control group only received cetirizine.
After two weeks, the study found a significant reduction of allergy symptoms in the zinc group and an improvement in quality of life.
Researchers believe that zinc supplementation, when given to correct a deficiency, may relieve allergy symptoms by balancing the immune system and preventing mast cells from releasing histamine.
Many naturally occurring substances may be beneficial for overall health. Still, studies are starting to suggest that some natural compounds like quercetin and black seed oil may be specifically beneficial for relieving allergies.
While vitamins and minerals may play a key role in immune regulation and reducing allergy symptoms, other powerful approaches may provide natural allergy relief.
Research indicates that quercetin may be a powerful natural allergy reliever. Quercetin is a naturally occurring substance found in various foods, from asparagus to green tea.
Quercetin is often considered to have potent anti-inflammatory effects, but it also may be a potent anti-allergy agent. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study investigated the effects of quercetin supplementation on seasonal allergies.
The study involved 66 participants between the ages of 22 and 78 who took 200 mg of quercetin daily for 4 weeks. The study found that those in the quercetin group experienced a significant reduction of allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and sleep issues associated with seasonal allergies.
The study also found that the quercetin group reported an increase in their quality of life compared to the control group. Studies suggest that quercetin may reduce allergy symptoms by inhibiting the production and release of histamine.
Nigella sativa, widely known as black seed, black cumin, or black caraway, is an annual plant with pale blue or white flowers. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, along with other plants that have been used medicinally, such as goldenseal.
Black seed has been used for centuries in the Middle East as a traditional medicinal for ailments of the kidney, liver, lung, and digestive systems. Modern science suggests that black seed may also relieve allergies.
One prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study examined the effects of black seed oil on patients with hay fever. 66 participants were included in the study, both males and females, with an average age of approximately 47 years old.
The study lasted 30 days and found that black seed oil could reduce allergy symptoms like itchy and runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion within 15 days of first use.
Another controlled clinical study examined the effects of black seed oil on 68 patients with hay fever. The participants were separated by the severity of their symptoms, which were either mild, moderate, or severe. The study also had a control group that didn't receive black seed oil.
At the end of 6 weeks, the study found that all of the patients in the mild group were symptom-free, while a significant portion of the moderate and severe groups were either symptom-free or had fewer symptoms, 93.7% and 83.3%, respectively. This contrasts with the 30.1% who reported improved symptoms in the control group.
Studies suggest that black seed oil is a potent anti-inflammatory, and this property may help relieve allergies.
The importance of gut health can't be overstated. Poor gut health has been linked to a wide variety of disorders, from diabetes and obesity to chronic inflammation.
Probiotics may help reduce the symptoms of allergies. One randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial focused on how probiotic supplementation would affect hay fever symptoms.
The study lasted up to 12 weeks and involved 40 participants who suffered from seasonal allergies. It found that those in the treatment group saw a reduction in allergy symptoms like runny nose while also experiencing an increase in quality of life, better sleep, and less fatigue.
Another randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind prospective study, this one involving 106 participants and lasting 90 days, looked at the efficacy of probiotics compared with prebiotics in reducing the symptoms of hay fever. The study found a significant reduction in allergy symptoms in the probiotic/prebiotic group compared to the placebo group.
Probiotics are thought to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms by regulating gut health and supporting the immune system.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, the spring weather doesn't have to bring itchy eyes, a runny nose, or uncontrollable sneezing. Natural allergy relief may be moments away with potentially helpful approaches like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, quercetin, black seed oil, and probiotics. Adding these natural approaches to an anti-allergy routine may help provide long-lasting allergy relief so you can get out and enjoy spring.
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