Top 3 Nutrients for SEASONAL ALLERGIES
Spring has sprung, and so has allergy season!
Chances are you’ve been living with seasonal allergies for years, and you’ve probably grown accustom to the ongoing sneezing, sniffling and itchy eyes. If these symptoms sound familiar to you right now, it can mean that spring is in the air… literally! But allergies and their symptoms don’t stop at springtime, and many people suffer year round.
Did you know that people can develop allergies at any point in our lives? Seasonal allergies can occur when the immune system is exposed to certain pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds. It then (immune system) reacts by releasing certain chemicals (known as histamine) into the bloodstream which then leads to allergy symptoms.
The below are the 3 top nutrients that can help reduce the severity of seasonal allergy symptoms while supporting the immune system to reduce the occurrence of symptoms of allergies from happening in the first place!
VITAMIN C RICH FOODS - vitamin c acts as a NATURAL anti-histamine and is a known antioxidant. It’s been found that antioxidants not only help with reducing oxidative stress but can also reduce inflammation and tame the immune response that releases histamine into our bloodstream which *cue* allergy symptoms. Good sources of vitamin c rich foods include bell peppers, kale, broccoli, kiwis, thyme, chili peppers among more!
OMEGA 3 RICH FOODS - omega 3s are essential fatty acids meaning they MUST come from food. Our body cannot make these on their own and they’re essential for our health. They have a very protective role for our immune system and help reduce allergy symptoms thru their anti-inflammatory effects. Good sources of omega 3’s include nuts & seeds (chia seeds, hemp hearts, any nuts!), seafood, and oils such as olive, coconut, avocado and ghee!
PROBIOTIC RICH FOODS - fermented foods may help with reducing the development of allergies and or severity of symptoms through the probiotic strains they carry. Certain strains such of lactobacillus found in sauerkraut and kimchi have shown to induce the production of cytokines which are released by our immune system in times of inflammation. Good sources of probiotic foods include kimchi, sauerkraut and my personal favorite, kombucha!