Allergies
Allergy
symptoms occur when your body's immune system overreacts
to substances in your environment, such as cat dander,
dust, or pollen, and starts fighting them as if they
were bacteria or viruses by releasing a biochemical
called histamine.
You
can blame mom and dad for the fact that you're allergic;
the tendency is inherited. But some doctors believe
that a healthy diet and certain nutritional supplements
can balance your immune system, keeping it strong but
not overreactive.
With
that in mind, here are particulars on the nutrients
that may be helpful in fighting allergies.
Prescription
for Healing
For the best allergy-alleviating action, add these nutrients
to your balanced diet.*
Nutrient:
Magnesium
Daily amount: (see below)
Nutrient:
Vitamin C
Daily amount: 100-500 mg
*
plus a multivitamin/mineral supplement containing 100%
of the Daily Value for most nutrients.
Magnesium
may ease breathing.
This mineral helps relieve constricted airways in the
lungs. One study found that lab animals severely deficient
in magnesium had higher blood levels of histamine when
exposed to allergens than animals getting enough magnesium.
If you are going to add a magnesium supplement to your
diet, make sure the amount in your multi and additional
supplement of magnesium do not exceed 350 mg combined.
Vitamin
C stops histamine.
Studies have shown that high levels of vitamin C help
reduce histamine release and make histamine break down
faster once it is released. Other studies have shown
that vitamin C deficiency can send blood levels of histamine
soaring.
Bioflavonoids
help too.
These chemical compounds, which are closely related
to vitamin C, may help reduce the body's release of
symptom-producing histamine. The chemical structure
of bioflavonoids is similar to that of a drug used in
asthma inhalers. Experts recommend eating bioflavonoid-rich
foods such as citrus fruits, cherries, dark grapes,
broccoli, and red and green peppers, and drinking herbal
teas.
MEDICAL ALERT
*If you have heart disease or kidney problems, check
with your doctor before taking magnesium supplements.
Doses of magnesium exceeding 350 mg a day may cause
diarrhea.
*Doses
of vitamin C exceeding 2,000 mg a day can cause diarrhea.
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