How Vitamin C Helps With Seasonal Allergies
Spring is well-known for its ability to roil up the allergy misery for seasonal sufferers. But outdoor allergy problems can and do occur all year long. It just depends on what youre allergic to.
What are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies occur when there is an overreaction of the immune system to a foreign substance called an allergen. This immune response involves the release of histamine into your bloodstream which prompts the onslaught of allergy symptoms. The classic symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, itchy eyes, asthma, nasal congestion, and a runny nose.
Vitamin C: The Natural Antihistamine
Antihistamine therapy does not work for everyone it can leave you feeling dry and tired. Other side effects include difficulty with urination and irritability. Vitamin C is a welcomed alternative. In fact, it is essential that you eat foods rich in Vitamin C as your body doesnt make it on its own. A potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects your cells from damage, reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps your body to fight infections. When taken during allergy season, vitamin C can slow down the overreaction of your body to environmental triggers by decreasing your bodys histamine production.
If youre thinking that Vitamin C is pretty much confined to citrus fruits and juices, youre in for a big and pleasant surprise. These are also foods rich in Vitamin C:
Vitamin C Is A Natural Antihistamine
Antihistamines are given to get rid of the flu and cold symptoms during an allergic reaction. It also helps to tone down any internal swelling in your body. Did you know that vitamin C is a natural antihistamine? Vitamin C is known to help with the symptoms of flu and cold and it even alleviates a sore throat. Not to mention, it also helps with bringing the swelling down in your body, whether it is internal or external. Try vitamin C rich foods next time you feel like you need to take an antihistamine to help combat the symptoms of allergies and you will see a huge difference.
Dont Stop Your Medication
Vitamin C is great and all, but that doesnt mean that you need to skip your medication for that. It is a great booster on top of the medication you are taking, but it is certainly not a substitute for your medication. Not taking allergy medication can lead to a lot of health problems and, in worst cases, anaphylaxis, in which you can lose the ability to breathe properly. So, try to be cautious of the things you are eating and dont forget your medicine.
There you have it! Vitamin C is a great thing to incorporate into your diet, especially if you are prone to allergic reactions and have a weak immune system. You will see a world of a difference in your health by including vitamin C in your everyday food. But, as mentioned above, you should immediately go to an allergy clinic Manassas if you dont get benefit from vitamin C or if your allergy is severe.
Vitamin C And Allergies: Could It Help
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins that tend to stick around longer in your cells, you need to make sure youre getting enough vitamin C every day.
Even though vitamin C is found in a ton of foods like fruits and vegetables, its pretty common in Western populations for folks to have low blood levels of vitamin C. In fact, vitamin C deficiency is the fourth most common nutrient deficiency in the United States.
Having low vitamin C levels can negatively impact your bod in a number of ways, like weakening your immune system. But just because getting enough vitamin C is necessary for your overall health, it doesnt mean that peeps with allergies necessarily need to supplement with extra vitamin C.
In fact, theres not a lot of evidence that supplemental vitamin C benefits peeps with allergies who have adequate vitamin C intake.
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Makes Allergies Worse: Red Meat
If youre constantly reaching for a tissue this time of year, it may be time to step away from the red meat. Red meat like beef, pork, and lamb can carry an allergen that causes a reaction similar to seasonal allergies. It could even become life-threatening, so if you dont feel well after eating red meat, skip the burger and order the chicken.
How To Take Ascorbic Acid
Use Ascorbic Acid exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. You may also consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database listings for more information.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking ascorbic acid.
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
Ascorbic acid gum may be chewed as long as desired and then thrown away.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Keep the orally disintegrating tablet in the package until you are ready to take it. Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.
Store ascorbic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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Helps Fight Allergies: Almonds
Crunchy almonds dont just make the perfect salty snack theyre also natural antihistamines. Cooking with almonds adds magnesium to your diet helping to relax your airway and prevent the allergic response in the first place. Other magnesium-rich foods include nuts like cashews or wheat bran in bread.
How To Get More Vitamin D To Ease Eczema Symptoms
Sunshine is the primary way to increase vitamin D levels, but you cant control the weather. Realistically, supplements are necessary for many people, at least for part of the year.
Even when the sun is out, wearing protective sun clothing and sunscreen it can block UV rays and prevent vitamin D production.
Even your skin color can impact vitamin D production. Darker skin has more melanin, a pigment that can interfere with how much vitamin D you produce.
Another important source of vitamin D is food, but there arent very many foods that naturally contain vitamin D . Foods that have some vitamin D include:
- fortified drinks
But since these sources dont provide very much, vitamin D supplements are usually recommended, especially if youre deficient.
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How Much Vitamin D Do You Need
It is not known exactly how much vitamin D is needed for good immune function, but most people in developed countries get enough vitamin D for healthy bones.
While there is still debate among experts on what a deficient vitamin D level is, after a review of research on vitamin D, the Institute of Medicine reported that the vast majority of people have sufficient vitamin D levels when the 25D level is greater than or equal to 20 ng/mL. The people most at risk for vitamin D deficiency are those with a level less than 12 ng/mL.
Supplementing with vitamin D, though, overall is complex, as a persons individual level, and how much they may require daily to maintain a normal vitamin D level depends on a number of factors. These factors include:
- Whether a person has any medical problems .
In addition, it is possible to overdose on vitamin D, with the main side effect being high circulating blood calcium , which can lead to nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness, and increase the risk of developing calcium kidney stones. Therefore, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider before taking any vitamin D supplements.
What Are The Side Effects Of Ascorbic Acid
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using ascorbic acid and call your doctor at once if you have:
- joint pain, weakness or tired feeling, weight loss, stomach pain
- chills, fever, increased urge to urinate, painful or difficult urination or
- severe pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine.
Common side effects may include:
- heartburn, upset stomach or
- nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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What Is Allergic Rhinitis
The term allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is commonly used to describe the group of symptoms that people experience when suffering from seasonal allergies. These symptoms primarily affect the nose and sinuses and occur when the body is exposed to an environmental substance that usually causes other people no problems, which is called an allergen. People with seasonal allergies have an immune system that overreacts to certain allergens because their bodies perceive this otherwise harmless substance as an invader and begins to attack, causing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. During an allergy attack, the body responds by starting to release inflammatory mediators such as histamines, causing inflammation in the body. The symptoms triggered by inflammation include:
- Itchy/watery eyes
- Nasal congestion
Allergic rhinitis can be very unpleasant and affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. Although there are now dozens of over the counter and prescription antihistamine medications designed for the treatment of seasonal allergies, several studies have been conducted in the past two decades to determine if vitamin C can help with seasonal allergies.
How Much Vitamin C Should I Take To Help With Seasonal Allergies
The studies that examined the use of vitamin C for the treatment of seasonal allergies explored treatment with a much higher daily dosage of the vitamin than the recommended daily intake. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is based on age, gender, and whether or not the person is a smoker. Vitamin C daily recommended intake is as follows:
- Infants 0 6 months: 40 mg per day
- Infants 7 12 months: 50 mg per day
- Children 1 3 years: 15 mg per day
- Children 4 8 years: 25 mg per day
- Children 9 13 years: 45 mg per day
- Males 14 – 18 years: 75 mg per day
- Females 14 – 18 years: 65 mg per day
- Males 19 years and older: 90 mg per day
- Females 19 years and older: 75 mg per day
- Smokers require 35 mg more vitamin C per day based on the recommended daily intake for their age and gender
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Duration And Dosage Of Vitamin C
Treatment was performed during a mean of 3.2 weeks for acute disease and 11.9weeks for chronic disease. The mean number of vitamin C infusions was 7 in theacute disease group and 26 in the chronic disease group. Because the vitamin Cinfusion was administered mainly over the complete treatment period, thefrequency of infusions was two to three per week for both acute and chronicstates.
What The Research Shows
One 2013 study of 89 people with allergies or infection diseases found that those who received a 7.5-gram IV infusion of vitamin C had 50% less histamine in their blood than those who didnt.
A more recent study, published in 2018, examined the effects of IV infusion of vitamin C among people with skin- or respiratory system-related allergy symptoms. It found that a 7.5-gram dose reduced allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, restlessness and sleep problems in 97% of people with allergies.
An older, but high-quality study from 1991 tested the effects of a vitamin C nasal spray in 60 people with allergies. The researchers found that it improved symptoms by 74%.
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Seven Nutrients That Work For Hayfever
Do you dread the hayfever season? Do you suffer with allergic reactions or have other allergy-linked problems such as eczema, asthma, dermatitis, itchy eyes, chronic nasal congestion or catarrh?
These symptoms are miserable, but the good news is there are a number of substances that can reduce your allergic potential which you can either eat or supplement. Whats more, its also possible to reduce your allergic potential so youre less likely to have these symptoms in the first place, reduce their severity if you do have them and can also help when you have an attack.
Probiotics
All that sniffling and snuffling, itchy eyes and blocked nose symptoms is medically called rhinoconjunctivitis. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition gave 173 sufferers, during hayfever season, either 2 capsules of probiotics providing 3 billion units of bacteria or identical placebos in this randomised controlled placebo trial. At the end of 8 weeks those taking the probiotics had improved by 68%, compared to the placebo group who reported 19% improvement. So, those on probiotics had improved by 49% compared to placebo.
So, consider taking a probioticProbiotics are commonly referred to as friendly or good bacteria. They support good health by improving the balance of bacteria within the digestive system. supplement during hayfever season. This study used a combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
Quercetin
MSM
Glutamine
Bromelain
Curcumin
How Much Vitamin C Is Required
During the winter comfort foods are a popular go-to and due to the lack of fresh produce available during the winter season, it is common to shy away from fresh fruit and vegetables. Therefore, my first recommendation is to increase the vitamin C rich foods in your diet. This includes: red peppers, broccoli, red cabbage, guava, papaya, kiwifruit and orange. Dust off your blender and start making your smoothies again it is certainly one way to usher in spring. However, supplementation over and above what you take in from your diet is also recommended. Depending on the severity of your allergies, a dose between 500 to 5000 mg divided during the day, may be required. One study demonstrated that a dose of 500mg could inhibit the constriction in airways caused by histamine and for the participants in this study this effect lasted for 6 hours.
The Best Form of Vitamin C for Optimal Results
I often recommend that patients take vitamin C well before allergy season begins. This will help to prepare your body for the onslaught of symptoms before allergy season arrives. You may already be taking vitamin C on a regular basis to ward off the flu or to speed the healing of an upper respiratory infection. Just remember to choose a powdered or encapsulated supplement for quicker absorption and hopefully one that is free from chemical additives. Avoid hard tablets which can irritate your stomach lining and take longer for your body to digest.
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Should You Take Vitamin C For Your Allergies
Even though the jury is still out on whether or not peeps with allergies should be taking extra vitamin C in supplement form, its clear that vitamin C is important for health in general.
If your diet is deficient in vitamin C, your immune system could be compromised as a result. This could worsen allergic conditions as well as increase your susceptibility to infection.
Plus, vitamin C has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Low vitamin C levels could contribute to increased inflammation and cellular damage, which could worsen allergy symptoms and negatively impact your overall health.
How Taking Vitamin C Could Help Allergies
Histamine plays a big role in allergy symptoms. Your body needs histamine its part of the immune system. The problem is when your body overreacts and produces too much histamine. When your body makes histamine in response to harmless stimulants, for example, pollens, dander, or dust mites, the symptoms can be extreme.
Study 2
Vitamin C was given intravenously in this study. They gave high doses of 7.5g to 71 people. It was tolerated well and only 1 out of the 71 had any type of reaction.
Over 50% of the participants in the study took no other allergy medication only the vitamin C treatment.
Participants not only had a decrease in allergy symptoms they also had a decrease in other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, and lack of concentration. They also observed that there tends to be a deficiency of vitamin C in people with allergies.
Study 3
This study was also done with intravenous vitamin C. It was given to those with allergies and also to people with infections. Vitamin C decreased histamine in both but showed a greater decrease in those with allergies.
Vitamin C is great for every part of your immune system. This article discussed how important it is for our immune systems in general. Also, when sick we get sick vitamin C gets used up and we need more. We dont have the capacity to store much vitamin C so we continually need to replenish it.
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Does Vitamin C Help With Seasonal Allergies
For many people, seasonal allergies are the bane of their existence. No one wants to walk around with watery eyes, itchy skin, a runny nose, or a host of other symptoms that are associated with . And while springtime is the most common season for people to experience allergies, sufferers can experience allergy problems all year long. Because treating seasonal allergies can prove difficult, many people look for supplements and vitamins to help combat the symptoms and improve their quality of life. Keep reading to learn the answer to does vitamin C help with allergies?
