Do you dread the warmer months due to increased hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose? You’re not alone.
Approximately 20% of U.K. residents are hay fever sufferers, while the condition affects 10% to 30% of the population worldwide.
According to recent data from The Met Office released last month, hay fever symptoms may be affecting people earlier than usual – and the symptoms may even be more severe.
The Met Office suggests that climate change may extend the pollen season so that it starts earlier, lasts longer, and brings an increased concentration of pollen.
This could mean hay fever sufferers experience a “double hit” of symptoms as the pollen seasons overlap. Health experts claim that while many hay fever sufferers are allergic to a single type of pollen, it’s when the tree, grass and weed pollen seasons begin to overlap that some sufferers don’t experience a break from their symptoms – and this means they could be impacted from February through to October.
At Naturally Healthy News, we’re about helping people discover natural solutions to relieve uncomfortable conditions such as hay fever.
Here are some of the best natural solutions you may want to consider…
Vitamin C
One of the best ways to prevent hay fever symptoms is to take Vitamin C. As a natural antihistamine, Vitamin C can protect your cells from damage, reducing the severity of allergic reactions and helping your body fight infections.
During allergy season, taking Vitamin C is essential to slow down the body’s overreaction of your body to environmental triggers. It does this by decreasing histamine production in the body. [1]
Quercetin
As a powerful antioxidant, Quercetin is known for its radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties, which are known to work synergistically with other immune-supporting nutrients.
Quercetin can reduce hay fever’s side effects, such as itchy or watery eyes, sneezing or sinus congestion, by inhibiting the release of histamine from immune cells. One study published in the journal Molecules found that Quercetin can help to combat conditional allergic rhinitis, for example. [2]
Probiotics
As live bacteria and yeasts, probiotics have various health benefits that can help to influence your body’s immune response. Over 23 studies have found that taking Probiotics can decrease the severity of hay fever symptoms.
There’s also a connection between beneficial gut bacteria and eye and nose irritation. This suggests that healthy gut bacteria can improve immune regulation while preventing immune cells from overreacting to allergens. [3]
Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral that the body needs to support a healthy immune system. Taking a Zinc supplement has been shown to relieve the symptoms of respiratory allergies and to shorten the length of common cold symptoms.
For example, people with asthma and allergic rhinitis have also been found to contain lower levels of Zinc in their blood and sputum (a thick type of mucus made in the lungs). [4,5] This research suggests that taking Zinc can be essential in keeping respiratory symptoms at bay.
To Summarise…
It’s important to be aware of these nutrients’ vital role in providing natural relief for hay fever and allergies.
The right combination of nutrients can ease the symptoms associated with these conditions and support one’s immune system overall.
You may want to consider taking the nutrients in the supplements recommended below, as this can further help hay fever sufferers enjoy the spring and summer months with less discomfort.
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6136002/
[2] https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-020-00434-0
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25899251/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759868/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273967/
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PrescriptBiotics™
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Olive Leaf Extract with Zinc
Provides proven antiviral and antioxidant protection for immune support. Contains 500mg of Olive Leaf Extract (20% Oleuropein), 100mg of Grapefruit extract (99.5% naringin), and 9mg of Zinc (Citrate) per 500mg serving (one capsule). Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. 90 vegetable capsules.
