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Vitamins for Treating Allergies

Allergies are a common problem that can plague you at school, work and home. Prescription and over-the-counter medications provide some relief, but may also cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry throat and more.

Vitamins provide a way to improve your condition while also providing natural supplements to your body to help support the immune system.

  1. Bromelain

    • Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. It's known to reduce swelling and inflammation, two common problems associated with allergies.

      Pineapple or pineapple juice can provide this allergy-fighting enzyme. As a vitamin supplement, it's recommended to take up to 500 mg three times per day. Some studies show that bromelain shouldn't be taken too often (more than 10 days straight), as it may cause side effects including nausea and vomiting.

    Vitamin C

    • Vitamin C may help battle allergic reactions. Studies from the University of Cal-Berkeley have shown those affected by allergies like hay fever could exhale better after taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C. People who took Vitamin C supplements showed positive effects on pulmonary function tests, improvement in white blood cell function (the cells that battle disease) and a decrease in respiratory infections.

      These benefits may come as Vitamin C replaces histamines in its battle against the flu. Histamines are chemical substances that battle germs and bacteria in your body. But in doing so, histamines cause inflammation as well. For example, histamines might cause a nose to get stuffy during a cold as your nose inflames. Vitamin C is shown to battle flu symptoms but also replaces the histamines without the swelling found in your throat and nose, those commonly known flu symptoms.

    Vitamin B5

    • Take 100 mg of vitamin B5 once a day to help relieve your allergy symptoms. B5 plays a role in the release of hormones in support of the body's adrenal gland. The hormones support the metabolism and help fight allergies.

      In addition to fighting allergies, B5 is known to be beneficial to skin, nerve and muscle maintenance.

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