Of the many natural remedies for allergies, vitamins and nutritional supplements are useful tools for strengthening your body against seasonal attacks because they can balance your immune system. This balance is essential because allergic reactions are due to an immune system that is over-active, attacking harmless substances with the same vigor as it would a virus or bacteria. When your immune system is functioning properly, allergic reactions are reduced.
Vitamins for Allergies
Several vitamins can not only help you combat seasonal allergies, but will also improve your immune system overall. If you find that you get sick often, aside from allergies, you will find these vitamins beneficial.
Vitamin C
The old stand-by, vitamin C is often the first vitamin thought of when one gets sick or has issues with seasonal allergies. This is sound wisdom because vitamin C acts as an anti inflammatory, meaning if your sinuses or lungs get inflamed, vitamin C will help counteract this reaction.
The catch is that to get this benefit, you need large doses of vitamin C, and many people find that they experience digestive problems when they consume large amounts of this vitamin. Thankfully, you can purchase forms of vitamin C that are easier on the stomach. Ester C is one form that is designed to avoid stomach upset. Some may also find that powdered vitamin supplements such as Emergen-C are easier to tolerate.
Start with a low dose and work your way up gradually until you have found how much you can tolerate. If stomach upset occurs, cut back until you feel better. Also, take it throughout the day. Taking all of your vitamin C when you get up in the morning will result in the excess being flushed from your body before you can use it. Divide your dose into three or four doses throughout the day for your body to be able to use it better. You may find that doses of 5000 to 20,000 milligrams a day will be most effective for allergies but start out with 1000 to 3000 milligrams divided throughout the day and work your way up to your personal maximum dose.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an amazing supplement that can offer many health benefits. In the case of allergies, it has been found to improve lung function. If you deal with wheezing due to allergies or asthma, adding magnesium to your diet can make a big difference. Start with 150 milligrams and work up to 400 milligrams a day for the best results.
Like vitamin C, magnesium can cause digestive issues if you take too much, too fast. This is why you should build up gradually until you find the dose where you lose tolerance. The best absorbed form of magnesium is a liquid magnesium chloride/magnesium acetate solution. This can be added to water or juice.
If you have kidney problems or myasthenia gravis, you should discuss with your doctor before taking magnesium.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has been found to inhibit the production leukotrienes by slowing the production of neutrophils. This is beneficial because overproduction of leukotrienes leads to inflammation. This makes vitamin E very important for a properly functioning immune system.
Typical doses of vitamin E are two to four IU a day. Discuss this with your doctor, especially if you take anticoagulants as vitamin E can increase the potency of anticoagulant drugs. Because of its ability to thin the blood, you should stop taking vitamin E one month before any surgeries.
Additional Help
Along with these vitamins, other natural remedies for allergies include herbs. Taken together, you will provide your immune system with the help it needs to find balance and respond properly to allergens in your environment.
Before taking any vitamins or herbs, you should always consult with your doctor or other health care professional, especially if you have health issues or take medications. Natural remedies are generally safe, but can sometimes interact with medications, so always be educated about what you are putting into your body.