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Allergy

In people with an allergic disease, the immune system is overzealous: it considers substances that are harmless in themselves to be dangerous. These allergy-causing substances are called allergens. There is a wide range of allergies, e.g. pollen-, house dust mite-, animal hair- or mould-allergies. For a confirmed diagnosis, skin and blood tests are used. Therapy usually consists of allergen avoidance or reduction and medication. In specific immunotherapy (hyposensitisation), the body is trained to no longer classify the respective allergens as "enemies":

Did you know that nutrients can be used for certain problems or symptoms?

Alternatively, as a preventive measure and during allergies, you can support your body and immune system with high-quality micronutrients. In this article you will read about

* Pollen allergy             * Suggestions and information about a micronutrient alternative               * Conclusion
*the classic allergy therapy     * Prevention & tip    

The classical allergy therapy

Many allergy sufferers have to take daily medication during the pollen season to relieve the annoying symptoms. Depending on the symptoms, antihistamines or cortisone preparations (sometimes even available on prescription) are taken or eye drops or nasal sprays are used.

Suggestions & information about a micronutrient alternative

Micronutrients for allergic rhinitis that help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis:

  • Vitamin C  plays an important role in allergies. As an antioxidant, vitamin C can protect cells from the effects of the allergic reaction. Vitamin C can also increase the rate at which histamine is broken down, so that it can act for less time, and reduces histamine formation. Vitamin C deficiency is often found in blood level measurements associated with allergy symptoms.
  • Calcium, if given concomitantly, can reduce allergic reactions due to its stabilising effect on the cell membrane. 
  • In addition, zinc and vitamin D in high doses can positively influence the immune system in relation to allergy.

Support through beta glucan

Two studies observed an improvement in allergy symptoms after supplementation with beta glucan. In the first study, the administration of 250 mg Wellmune resulted in improvements in several respects. Not only did the subjects have less severe allergic reactions to mugwort, but they also felt generally less stressed and happier (1). Similar benefits of beta glucan were observed in children between one and three years of age (2).

Sources: (1) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/fsn3.11 | (2) https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-016-0138-0

Pollen allergy

How can bacteria and micronutrients relieve the symptoms?

As with all allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is an overreaction of the immune system to a foreign substance (allergen). In allergy sufferers, the body deceives itself and considers a harmless foreign substance (e.g. pollen) to be dangerous. In order to fight the "intruder", the defence processes are set in motion:

  1. Our immune system triggers an unnecessary defence reaction in which defence molecules - called immunoglobulins or antibodies - are formed that can specifically recognise/bind a foreign but harmless molecule (e.g. pollen component). In allergies, so-called IgE antibodies are usually involved, which are distributed on the surface of mast cells. This takes about 1 week.
  2. Only when allergens bind to the mast cell-bound IgE antibodies on renewed contact is the allergic reaction triggered. This happens very quickly: first the mast cell releases messenger substances such as histamine and cytokines. This in turn leads to a local inflammation, which signals that an intruder must be fought here.
  3. This local inflammatory reaction then leads to the typical symptoms of, for example, a pollen allergy.

In allergy sufferers, banal foreign substances trigger an immune response. The initial reaction of the immune system is called sensitisation. An allergic reaction occurs after renewed contact.

Prevention & Tips

This is how to enjoy spring despite allergies.

  • During the pollen season, it is advisable to ventilate only briefly at a time; during rainy periods or if pollen screens are attached to the window, ventilation can be longer. 
  • Do not hang up clothes worn during the day in the bedroom. 
  • Wash your hair, preferably in the evening before going to bed, to remove pollen from it. 
  • Rinse the nose regularly to care for the nasal mucous membranes and to rid the nose of pollen.
  • Wash bed linen regularly 
  • Do not hang bed linen and clothes outdoors to dry 
  • Wear sunglasses not only to protect yourself from the sun, but also from pollen. 
  • Check the current pollen count regularly on social media channels
  • Do physical activities outdoors preferably early in the morning, at high altitudes or shortly after rainy periods
  • Avoid walks along freshly mown meadows
  • Start preparing for the pollen season early
  • Plan holidays more consciously, e.g. at the seaside or in the mountains, as the pollen count is generally much lower there
  • Use paper handkerchiefs only once
  • It is quite possible to develop a cross-allergy to other substances together with hay fever.

CONCLUSION

Today, there are quite effective natural alternatives for the treatment of hay fever.
It is worth trying out these natural variants.

Products for help against allergy...