Natural Ways to Reduce Allergy Symptoms

[View this email in your browser]( 3 Amazing, Natural Ways to Reduce Allergy Symptoms—& More! Summertime and the livin’ is sneezy. Allergies to pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, and flowers, as well as to mold, peak from March to November, depending on where you live—and the peculiarities of the year. Climate change is mixing up some traditional cycles. The allergy season is up to 3 weeks longer than it used to be in some areas and pollen loads are greater. These days, around 30% of US adults contend with seasonal allergies, as do 25% of kids. Allergies do a lot more than make you stuffy, wheezy and sneezy. Pollen and other allergens can damage DNA in the nose, sinuses, and lungs, causing inflammation that worsens allergic reactions and weaken immunity. And pollen can also cause an asthma attack. One EPA study found up to 60,000 ER visits a year are linked to asthma-related responses to tree and grass. That’s why it is so important to take steps to reduce your allergic response ahead of time, and control it when it hits. Self-Care is Smart Care I think 3 natural substances offer effective ways to tamp down your allergic response while building up your gut biome’s natural defenses against allergies. [Quercetin]( is a plant flavanol with antiallergic properties. It inhibits histamine release, reducing the load of inflammatory compounds and pro-inflammatory cytokines. It’s found in onions, apples, grapes, and my favorite, broccoli, but is very poorly absorbed by the body. That’s why I take a daily supplement to help boost my immune strength and allergy resistance. Studies show that between 250 and 500mg a day will tamp down an allergic response. Stinging [Nettle]( may inhibit inflammation and disrupt the histamine response. To gain its benefits, the iHerb.com blog, "[Antihistamines to Help Relieve That Itchy, Sniffy, Sneezy Feeling]( says a supplement of 600mg once daily was found to reduce allergy symptoms better than standard antihistamines in a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial of 90 patients. [Lacticaseibacillus]( (formerly known as Lactobacillus casei), found in [probiotic]( [drinks]( and capsules, may help restore balance to your gut biome. Everything from allergies to obesity, chronic stress and a diet loaded with over-processed foods and sugars can damage the biome. Restoring balance tamps down your allergic response because well-balanced bacteria in your gut can help calm body-wide inflammation and protect your gut lining from damage that can worsen allergies. One study even found making sure kids' guts have sufficient Lacticaseibacillus reduces their risk of allergies and atopic dermatitis by age five. That’s nothing to sneeze at! Simple Steps for Fewer Symptoms In addition to those natural therapies, if you want to reduce your allergy symptoms, it’s always smart to monitor pollen levels and limit outdoor time during morning and evening when they spike. And start sporting a stylish hat to prevent pollen from adhering to your hair. Also, upgrade indoor air quality. Use an indoor air filter and/or air conditioner—they both need a HEPA filter. Also wash your hair, shower, and change clothes after being out in pollen-dense air. You’ll be amazed at how much difference it makes! Talk to Your Doc You also want to see an allergist to identify what specifically triggers your allergic response and find out if prescription and OTC medications may help. Long term, you may also benefit from allergy shots, AKA subcutaneous immunotherapy, or sublingual immunotherapy (that’s drops under your tongue). And for more info on managing your seasonal allergies, check out “[How to Relieve Allergies Naturally]( That’s nothing to sneeze at! Raw Broccoli Salad with Sweet Soy Vinaigrette To add [quercetin]( to my diet, I incorporate my favorite vegetable, broccoli. My daughter, Daphne, has a great recipe for a raw broccoli salad that I especially enjoy during the summer months. This Raw Broccoli Salad with Sweet Soy Vinaigrette gets dressed up with a handful of fresh herbs and Honey-Turmeric Walnuts, and you can add a pinch of smoked chile flakes while they toast if you’re feeling spicy! [Get the Recipe]( This newsletter is not a substitute for your physician’s advice and the claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Know someone who might be interested in this newsletter? Please share it with them! First time reading? [Sign up here.]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Copyright © 2024 ZoCo Productions LLC, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you signed up for a ZoCo Productions newsletter. Our mailing address is: ZoCo Productions LLC 555 W 57th St.New York, NY 10019 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.