Thousands of people experience a variety of allergies whether seasonal or year round. Incorporating the right nutrition as well as understanding the triggers to different types of allergies gives you control over pesky allergy symptoms.

General Allergies- Vitamin D

I have had the experience of thinking that I was developing allergies in my 40’s.  It seemed weird to me that after 4 decades of an allergy-free life I started experiencing sneezing attacks, swollen, red eyes and sinus pressure. Over months my symptoms became worse, especially at night, and progressed to needing prescription allergy medications.

I thought I developed an environmental allergy in my 40’s, but after further testing, I discovered I had a low Vitamin D level. Other changes I had experienced were simply feeling ‘off’, low energy, sluggish, and metabolic shifts. I started to feel like myself again after a few weeks of consistently taking a Vitamin D3 supplement. The sneezing, runny nose, and watery eye symptoms went away. I also learned studies show upwards of 25% of allergic symptoms are correlated with a Vitamin D deficiency. 

Seasonal Allergies- Butterbur

Butterbur works similar to Singulair by reducing swelling in the nasal passages. Some studies show it is as effective as Zyrtec and Allegra, without the side effect of sleepiness. Most importantly with butterbur is to purchase it from a reputable source to avoid consuming it raw. We recommend Migra Eze because it has a stabilized butterbur in it and patients experience outstanding results. 

Seasonal Allergies-Quercetin

Quercetin is an excellent mast cell stabilizer.  When exposed to an allergy we have mast cell degranulation which triggers the cascade of allergy related symptoms.  Quercetin works by stabilizing mast cells to avoid allergy expression. We recommend D-Hist. D-Hist has been a client favorite for seasonal allergies. There are no side effects of this product. More information about D-HIST can be found by visiting the clinic during business hours.

Vision-Vitamin A

Have you started to notice more difficulty seeing at night?  Changes to night vision are commonly associated with Vitamin A deficiency.  The standard American diet is lower in real Vitamin A, we often get small exposure with mixed carotenoids, but not a true fat soluble Vitamin A.  There are simple ways to add more Vitamin A into your daily diet. Increase your intake of colorful veggies, fish, meat, and even a little liver. Consider supplementing a fat soluble Vitamin A if levels are still low after the addition of these foods. It is important to consult with a doctor or nutritionist when it comes to consuming Vitamin A because it can accumulate and lead to excessive levels in your blood.

Scaley skin and dandruff- Vitamin B

Do you suffer from scaley skin or dandruff? Seborrheic Dermatitis is a dry, flaky scaling condition that effects the skin. When the scalp is affected it is known as dandruff.  This condition is associated with allergies of the skin to the environment, topical creams, cleaning agents, and more. The simple fix is B vitamins! B complex vitamins are water soluble, which means you are safe from ‘over doing it.’  They have positive impacts on several systems such as hair, skin, nails, energy, and more. Additional information about Vitamin B can be found by visiting the clinic during business hours.

Chicken Skin- Vitamin A, C and dietary change

Chicken skin, small bumps, even ingrown hairs are associated with a condition called keratosis pilaris. This is common in kids and is often outgrown with age. However, many adults experience keratosis pilaris as well.  This condition is primarily impacted by diet, meaning it is triggered by inflammatory foods. Inflammatory foods include fast food, junk food, and processed foods. An elimination provocation program is an effective resource in discovering triggers unique to you. Keratosis pilaris responds favorably to Vitamins A and C, but it is more important to establish the dietary contributions to the condition. Learn more about our elimination provocation program and corresponding nutrition by visiting the clinic during normal business hours.