Nutritional Supplements for Allergy Relief

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “allergies are the immune system’s incorrect response to a foreign substance. Exposure to what is normally a harmless substance, such as pollen, causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. Substances that cause allergies are called allergens. When you come into contact with an allergen, you may experience a number of allergic symptoms including itchy, watery nose and eyes; asthma symptoms such as wheezing and coughing; or hives.”

On a scientific level, the first time an allergy-prone person is exposed to an allergen, large amounts of the corresponding IgE antibodies are produced. The IgE antibodies cause the mast cells to release inflammatory chemicals that cause swelling of tissues, as well as histamine and several other chemicals that cause itching, engorgement of blood vessels, increased secretions, and bronchospasm (tightening of muscles that surround the airways). Some of these chemicals attract white blood cells known as eosinophils. The eosinophils add more inflammatory chemicals.

There are different types of allergens. If you recognize the symptoms in your eyes, nose and lungs, your reaction is to something airborne. If you have problems with your stomach, mouth or intestines, the allergen had been ingested.

Scientists are discovering that nutritional supplements may be the simplest way to relieve allergy and sensitivity symptoms. Which vitamins are most noted?

• Vitamin C â€" This vitamin works as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It has been shown to block asthma attacks and allergic rhinitis symptoms. Vitamin C also helps remove environmental toxins from the body and helps with the formation of collagen to rebuild joint tissue damaged by allergy-induced arthritis.
• Vitamin E â€" Acts as an anti-inflammatory that blocks the activity of an enzyme that provokes inflammation. It helps maintain the elastic quality in cells. Research has shown asthma patients are often low in Vitamin’s C and E.
• Vitamin B5 â€" Produces adrenal hormones such as cortisol and has an antihistamine effect. This vitamin also reduces stress in the body.
• Magnesium â€" Serves as an adrenal and immune stimulate that relaxes smooth muscles and serves as a natural bronchodilator and antihistamine.

In addition to vitamins Chinese herbal medicine and botanicals can help you with your allergy relief. Chinese herbal formulas include apricot seed, astragalus, centipede, corydalis, chrysanthemum, ginseng, magnolia, perilla seed, and xanthium. Botanicals include but are not limited to Stinging Nettle, Ephedra, Ginkgo Bilboa, Licorice root, Chinese Skullcap, and Feverfew.

Choosing natural remedies first instead of over-the-counter medications will not only strengthen your body but will provide you with additional benefits. There is also fewer side effects.

So if you are looking to battle those allergies and recurrent reactions, look to nature first.

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Colon Cancer Risk Reduced By Vitamin Supplements

A very new study states that there is a corelation between smaller colon cancer rates and the use of vitamins A,E,C calcium, pothasium and folic acid. The study has shown that long-term vitamins use could decrease the risk of colon cancer by 57 percent.

This study was made on an group made of over 500 women and men between the ages of 33 and 62 who were found having colon cancer. They were interrogated about the quantity of vitamins they took before they found out their diagnosis. The patients were asked alot of questions regarding the dosage, frequence, and duration of the vitamins they took. Two classifications were made: multivitamin packs tooken once a day and high concentration packs. The study showed that the majority of the patients who took the multivitamin packs took the high potency supplements too.

Most of the studdies that predate this one agree that the risks of colon cancer are greatly reduced by using vitamin supplements but none of them was able to identify the specific components of the vitamins that are responsable for this. Antioxidant vitamin and folid acid rich vegetables and fruits are known for lowering the colon cancer risks, but yet again no specific components of these foods were identified.

An increase in the fruit and vegetable consumption rate was tried by several educations programs but none of them had a real success. It is recommended to eat at least five different types of these aliments but in the current society the intake of these foods decrease year by year.

Knowing the current society, the researchers of colon cancer recommend supplementing the diet with multivitamin packs rather then eating fruits and vegetables because they hope it will be more appealing to the general public.

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