If you suffer from fall allergies, your immune system is trying to fight off a substance you’re sensitive to by releasing histamine, which leads to all those unpleasant symptoms, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). These irritants can include specific types of mold, pollen, and weeds, which all typically increase toward the end of summer and affect your symptoms.
However, three supplements show promise in helping us prepare as much as we can to combat those fall seasonal allergy symptoms:
Vitamin D
It is suggested that vitamin D levels may correlate with allergic rhinitis, although studies are not entirely consistent. A 2017 review by Asia Pacific Allergy reports that a specific form of vitamin D could lead toward protection in some autoimmune diseases. An increasing number of studies have linked vitamin D levels with allergic disorders, particularly asthma. A 2017 found that only 10% of people in the group with allergic rhinitis, compared to 26% in the control group, had adequate serum levels of vitamin D.
Besides getting that boost of vitamin D directly from the sun, you can also find vitamin D in fortified foods, fish, and egg yolks. A high-quality vitamin D supplement can also be beneficial. The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for vitamin D is 600 IU (International Units) or 15 micrograms for anyone 1 to 70 years old.
Vitamin C
A hallmark of the allergic response is an overproduction and release of histamines. It is being explored if vitamin C may reduce our body’s natural production of histamines, therefore leading to better control of symptoms associated with fall allergies. One review included a study that found vitamin C decreases the proportion of participants who had bronchial sensitivity to histamine.
Vitamin C is found primarily in fruits and vegetables. But again, a high-quality supplement can do the trick as well. The RDA for vitamin C is 90mg (milligrams) for adult males and 75mg for adult females.
Probiotics
Probiotics are living microorganisms which offer benefits to the host and can provide anti-inflammatory effects. Probiotic use may reduce severity of allergy symptoms, decrease the need for medication and improve quality of life in allergic rhinitis. A recent review reports that probiotics showed a significant clinical benefit in 17 of 23 randomized controlled trials in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. A 2017 study found that a probiotic combination achieved significant improvement of symptoms and quality of life in children with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis.
Look to yogurts and fermented foods for probiotics. Probiotics can be effective at varying strengths. Studies have determined health benefits can be found from 50 million to over 1 trillion CFUs (colony-forming units) per day. Supplementation with a probiotic blend is a popular choice for many.
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