Hay Fever Supplements

About Hay Fever Supplements

Hayfever is an allergic reaction mounted by the immune system in response to an allergen. This allergen can be anything from pollen to a protein found in common foods, such as the gliadin protein in wheat. Some other examples of potentially allergenic proteins are actinidin in kiwi fruit and casein in milk. Allergies typically involve a combination of the following signs and symptoms:

• Headache
• Runny or stuffy Nose
• Sneezing
• Itchiness in the ears, nose or throat
• Watery, red or itchy eyes

When these symptoms are experienced often, it can take negatively impact quality of life. Fortunately, most hayfever is not serious and can be self-managed with simple over the counter supplements and remedies. Apart from avoiding the triggers of the allergy, there are ways to modulate the immune system and how it responds to allergens. Specific natural compounds are available that can reduce the activity of specific immune cells, such as T-Helper 2 Lymphocytes and Mast Cells. In addition, looking after gut health and promoting a healthy microbiome is of paramount importance. The microbiome are beneficial bacteria that reside within the stomach and intestines, playing a massive role in the way the immune system responds to allergens, viruses and even harmful bacteria. 

Natural bioflavonoids have anti-allergy effects and are helpful when taken to combat hayfever. Quercetin is one of most powerful bioflavonoids, known to offer anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects (inhibitor of NFKB). Quercetin has plenty of scientific research to back its use, with studies showing that it can reduce histamine levels, allergic leukotrienes, antigen-specific IgE formation and the inflammation inducer interleukin-6. Natural food sources of this bioflavonoid include onions, apples, broccoli and grapes. 

Many natural herbal medicines, such as Garlic, Horseradish and Perilla frutescens seed, may provide relief from hayfever. Perilla frutescens seed is one of the few natural remedies that helps to modulate activity of T-Helper 2 Lymphocytes, the allergic arm of the immune system. With a little know-how and natural supplementation experimentation, learn to keep your immune system balanced and ready to face the challenges of the day ahead.