Vitamins and other phytonutrients may be profoundly helpful in reducing symptoms of allergy sufferers. Perennial allergies are defined by the Merck Manuals as allergies that occur all year. The culprit of this type of allergies is often substances that a person is exposed to daily and usually unknowingly. Household dust that may host mold, fungi, animal dander and mites often triggers common symptoms of nasal congestion, and itchy and runny eyes and throat. Many nutrients act to reduce the sensitivity of the respiratory tract to such particles, as well as boosting immune function.
Rosmarinic Acid
Rosmarinic acid is a supplement that has been found to naturally inhibit the inflammatory process at the route of allergies. It's specifically beneficial in treating perennial allergies, a 2004 Clinical Experiments in Allergy journal notes, as reported by Life Extension magazine. The article studied rosmarinic acid in treating allergies caused by the common household dust mite in mice models. Oral dosing of the rosmarinic acid extract was concluded to be an effective strategy for treating perennial allergies and their inflammatory contribution to the development of asthma.
Vitamin C
The University of Maryland Medical Center says vitamin C's action as an antihistamine may help control symptoms of perennial allergies. The allergic response is mediated by the substance histamine. Histamine leads to symptoms of local inflammation, such as itchy, runny nose and eyes and throat. As an antihistamine, vitamin C in doses of 2000mg per day has been shown to be preliminarily effective, but more studies are needed to confirm its benefits.
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant nutrient that has been evidenced to prevent and treat symptoms of allergy. As described by the Natural Health Research Organization, the action of quercetin is slightly different than that of vitamin C. Though vitamin C blocks histamine from attaching to the cells of the respiratory tract, quercetin actually prevents it from being released. It's termed as a mast cell stabilizer and is regarded as the most effective anti-allergic antioxidant. The most important aspect of treating perennial allergies is trying to identify the causative agent. Although it's in the process of discovery, quercetin may present as a logical remedy to help the body reduce its reactivity to the unidentified allergen.
