Top Foods For Managing Allergies

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This time of year brings a lot of misery to people in the form of red, watery eyes, runny noses, and sneezing. Pollen levels increase and, thus, increase allergic symptoms. There are many who suffer from allergies throughout the whole year from offending allergens such a animal dander and dust mites.

One way to help decrease the severity of your allergies is to boost your immunity with immune-enhancing foods. These foods will have high levels of vitamin C, magnesium, beta-carotene, and quercetin.

Vitamin C

It has been shown to decrease production of histamine, thus reducing an immediate allergic episode. It is a natural antihistamine. It helps relieve allergic symptoms and prevents inflammatory reactions.

Suggested foods

Green and red peppers, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, potatoes, cabbage

Beta-Carotene

When converted to Vitamin A, it helps boost immunity and keeps the respiratory system working optimally. It also is a powerful antioxidant.

Suggested foods

Sweet potatoes, kale, spinach. carrots, winter squash, collard greens

Magnesium

May reduce constricted airways in asthma by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes. It can buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Some think a deficiency in magnesium can release histamine.

Suggested foods

Almonds, spinach, avocados, oysters, seeds, peanuts, buckwheat

Quercetin

Rich in bioflavonoids. It can reduce allergic reactions by having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases inflammation

Suggested foods

Apples, cranberries, grapefruit, grapes, pears, spinach, kale, cabbage

In addition, ginger is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. It may provide some relief from allergy symptoms by dilating constricted bronchial tubes.

* Originally published in our blog at TCM Wellness Services

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