If you suffer from a runny nose, itchy eyes, shortness of breath and congestion with the change of the seasons, then you may be suffering from seasonal allergies. Many individuals who are afflicted with this condition are prescribed decongestants, antihistamines and bronchodilators by their physician in order to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. These medications often carry dangerous side effects and can be quite costly. Making simple changes to your dietary habits and supplementing with natural products can help reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies, or alleviate them altogether.
The main cause of seasonal allergies
Chronic seasonal allergies have been shown to be the result of an overgrowth of a substance called candida. Candida is a type of yeast that lives and thrives in the gastrointestinal tract. Every human has varying amounts of this yeast in their body. However, it is balanced and kept to a minimum by beneficial bacteria known as intestinal flora. This flora aids the digestion process and helps to remove toxic substances from the body. Candida is considered to be a parasitic yeast, robbing the body of nutrients and increasing the amount of toxic waste the body must work to eliminate.
Foods and supplements to alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms
The main foods you should consume to alleviate seasonal allergies are those that contain probiotics in order to restore healthy intestinal flora and combat candida. Yogurt, fermented milk, miso and dietary supplements are all beneficial. Check the labels to make sure they contain active probiotics, such as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium, which most closely resemble those found in the human digestive tract.
Supplements designed to eliminate candida, such as Candida Clear by VitaBase, contain herbs known to help balance the colonization of candida and support the health of the intestinal tract. When combined with foods that contain probiotics, these supplements can help significantly reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies and alleviate the problem by treating it at its source.
Green tea contains natural antihistamines, which can help greatly reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Physicians often prescribe antihistamines to allergy sufferers to control watery eyes and sneezing. Green tea can provide the same benefit without the drowsiness often experienced from taking traditional allergy medications. It is ideal to consume one cup of hot green tea when you get out of bed in the morning to help keep your allergy symptoms under control for the majority of the day. Two to three cups per day may be needed to keep symptoms under control.
Some research suggests that consuming omega-3 fatty acids can be helpful in reducing airway inflammation. One study in particular consisted of 23 adults with asthma who took an omega-3 supplement for a period of five weeks. At the end of the study, they experienced a significant reduction in airway inflammation, allowing them to breathe easier with less wheezing and coughing. Add foods such as sardines, herring, mackerel, albacore tuna and salmon to your diet several times per week to experience these benefits.
Aller-7 Support by VitaBase supports healthy respiratory and immune systems by promoting clear airway passages, stabilizing mast cells and neutralizing free radicals. It is generally well-tolerated and will not cause side effects such as nervousness, headache, fatigue and drowsiness, which are common with many allergy medications.
There is no need to stay indoors during allergy season. By consuming the proper foods and supplementing with high quality products, you can enjoy the outdoors without suffering from the uncomfortable effects of seasonal allergies.