Spring Flowers Bring Nasal Showers: Nutrition Tips for Dealing with Seasonal Allergies
ACHOO! Does Spring equal red, watery, itchy eyes, scratchy throat and the sniffles? You have seasonal allergies. It’s that time of the year again when the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, the grass is turning green, spring is in the air and your seasonal allergies are in high gear!
Stocking up on allergy medication is the norm, but did you know taking certain vitamins can help you deal with common allergy symptoms? Vitamins can’t cure or prevent allergies, but if you look for nutrients that are a natural anti-inflammatory or stock up on supplements that will boost the immune system, you can reduce the severity of seasonal allergies. Remember to A.C.E. your vitamin intake to find some allergy relief!
Vitamin A
Vitamin A improves your immunity as it promotes healthy mucous membranes, which keep bacteria out of the body and helps defend you against the sniffles. Great sources of Vitamin A are milk, cheese, spinach, sweet potato, carrots, and kale.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C gets huge marks for its antioxidant properties, boosting your immune system and helping to reduce inflammation. Vitamin C also reduces histamine release, which is part of many allergic reactions. Vitamin C works best in conjunction with Vitamin E. You can get your daily Vitamins C dose in fruits like papaya, kiwi, and strawberries, and greens such as kale, broccoli and brussel sprouts and peppers.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another antioxidant and research is showing that it may be effective at suppressing allergic reactions while also building your immune system and protecting you against viruses. Find Vitamin E in dark leafy greens such as spinach, sunflower seeds and almonds, and papaya.
Omega 3s
Omega 3 fatty acids boost your immunity and are well known for reducing inflammation, which in turn can help lessen the severity of allergy symptoms. Increase the salmon, tuna, walnuts, flax seed and other food high in Omega 3s in your diet and look for a good Omega 3 supplement. There are many on the market and not all taste like fish oil, some even come in a gummy that is fun to take! Look for one that is pure source fish oil, distilled to remove contaminants and approved by Health Canada.
Probiotics
Experts say keeping your intestines healthy with probiotics can play a key role in allergy symptoms. Probiotics aid in digestion and fight off disease causing bacteria. We need to replace the good bacteria in our digestive systems since eating processed or high sugary foods or taking antibiotics can cause the bad bacteria to multiply. Look for yoghurts with live probiotic cultures.
Get your vitamins A, C, E, Omega 3s and probiotics to help your body deal with ‘Spring Fever’ and give yourself a little natural relief from seasonal allergies.
Deb Lowther is a mother of 3 young daughters who, when not running after the kids, is running in the trails! She blogs about Raising Healthy Kids and ensures her own have fun while eating healthy & staying active. You can visit her websites to learn more www.iron-kids.com & www.adultgummies.com.
