Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common conditions in Ireland. Studies estimate that more than 30% of people experience the condition at some point in their life. Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis that is caused by pollen.
Allergies are an over-reaction of the body’s immune system. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect our body. A properly functioning immune system is the biological warfare unit for the body, protecting it against harmful substances: substances such as bacteria and viruses and toxins and parasites. While the function of the immune system is reasonably simple to understand, how it works is complex and intricate.
The immune system normally recognizes and reacts to foreign substances called allergens. Allergens are harmless to most individuals; pollen is a common allergen. For many people, the common allergens don’t cause any problems. But in a body with allergies, the immune system overreacts and treats something fairly harmless, like pollen, as something really dangerous to the body.
Allergens enter the body through four main routes: the airways, the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and the circulatory system.
Symptoms can occur at certain times of year or all year round. People that have seasonal symptoms tend to react to pollen. The pollen comes from flowering trees, grasses or weeds. If symptoms are present all year the allergen is likely produced by dust mites, pets or mould. When the immune system of an allergic body recognizes an otherwise innocuous substance as harmful, it does many things. One of those things is to release chemicals to fight off the allergen. One of the most well-known of those chemicals is called histamine. The allergic body’s immune system attacks the substance with a ferocity far greater than required. This all-out attack by a whole bunch of bioactive chemicals is what causes the clinical signs of an allergy. Allergic rhinitis symptoms include:
Lots of over the counter and prescription drugs are available to help treat the symptoms of hay fever. There are also many herbs, supplements and natural ingredients which may be of interest to those who suffer with allergies.
One of the lesser-known products are Beta Glucans. Beta-glucan is a fairly new supplement, but it is commonly used to help fend off winter bugs such as colds and flu. Research shows that the nutrient can influence aspects of the immune system through a few different roles. Beta-glucan can aid allergies by balancing their effects on the immune system. In one study, supplementation with Beta Glucans for just 4 weeks improved allergy symptoms, overall physical health, and emotional well-being compared with placebo in self-described “moderate” hay fever during allergy season. A similar positive response has been show with beta glucan supplementation and people who suffer with allergic rhinitis. Nutri Nua’s Immune Complex contains Beta Glucans and Vitamin C along with other nutrients which are supportive of the immune system such as Vitamin D and Zinc. Research has shown that vitamin D levels are often low in people who suffer from hay fever, so it is great to have the additional vitamin D present in this product.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine and antioxidant. Studies have shown it may decrease inflammation, swelling, and related symptoms that happen at the site of an allergic reaction
Histamine is an immune mediator produced during the immune response to pathogens and stress. Histamine stimulates vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, resulting in the classic allergic symptoms of runny nose and eyes. Studies on both animals and humans have indicated that vitamin C depletion is associated with enhanced circulating histamine levels, and that supplementation of the animals with vitamin C resulted in decreased histamine levels. This means that keeping your vitamin C level optimal is essential for those who suffer with hay fever.
Curcumin
Widely known and used for its anti-inflammatory properties, Curcumin has been shown to help maintain resistance to allergies, by dampening the hypersensitivity immune response to pollen and other allergens. In people suffering from hay fever, Curcumin suppresses the release of key cytokines which has a direct relationship with the alleviation of nasal symptoms (sneezing and runny nose), and nasal congestion (hence improving airflow). In one study Curcumin alleviated allergic rhinitis symptoms by 70% and resulted in less sneezing, itching and runny nose and reduced nasal congestion. And, the improvements persisted for 80% of participants after stopping the treatment.
General Advice
It is generally advised to monitor pollen counts and avoid spending too much time outdoors when the pollen count is high. Preventing pollen from entering via the nose and eyes is a simple but effective strategy to reduce symptoms. Wearing sunglasses and using barrier ointments around the nose are good tips. Wash your face and hands and remove outer layers of clothing or change your clothes when you come indoors. Drinking lots of water also helps. Water relieves any irritation in your throat and can thin the mucous membranes in your nasal passages, unblocking your nose. Refined sugar, which is typically found in processed foods, triggers a dramatic rise and then fall in blood sugar levels. This goes on to cause a surge in adrenalin that activates the release of histamine which will only worsen the overall symptoms of hay fever. It is best to try to avoid refined sugar as much as possible.
Many people feel that they have tried everything to help with their hay fever, and it can be stressful having to face in to the symptoms every year. Hopefully this information has been useful and has introduced some new ideas and products which may help. Please note this blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Patients are advised to consult a licenced health care professional before starting a nutritional supplement, especially if you are on medication.
References:
Carr AC and Maggini S. (2017) Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients 9(11): 1211 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/
Clemetson C.A. (1980) Histamine and ascorbic acid in human blood. Journal of Nutrition (110):662–668. https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/110/4/662/4770941
Hagel A.F., Layritz C.M., Hagel W.H., Hagel H.J., Hagel E., Dauth W., Kressel J., Regnet T., Rosenberg A., Neurath M.F., Molderings GJ & Raithel M (2013) Intravenous infusion of ascorbic acid decreases serum histamine concentrations in patients with allergic and non-allergic diseases. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology (386): 789–793. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00210-013-0880-1
Johnston C.S., Solomon R.E., Corte C (1996) Vitamin C depletion is associated with alterations in blood histamine and plasma free carnitine in adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. (15): 586–591. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.1996.10718634
Kirmaz C, Bayrak P, Yilmaz O and Yuksel H. (2005) Effects of glucan treatment on the TH1/TH2 balance in patients with allergic rhinitis: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. European Cytokine Network 16(2): 128-134 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15941684/
Shawn M Talbott, Julie A Talbott, Tracy L Talbott, and Elaine Dingler (2013) β‐Glucan supplementation, allergy symptoms, and quality of life in self‐described ragweed allergy sufferers. Food Science and Nutrition 1(1): 90–101. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951572/
Tian HQ and Cheng H. (2017) The role of vitamin D in allergic rhinitis. Asia Pacific Allergy 7(2): 65-73 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mpc/articles/PMC5410413/
Vetvicka V. (2017) β-Glucan in Allergies. American Journal of Immunology 13(1) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317725425_b-Glucan_in_Allergies
