Vitamins And Minerals For Allergies

An allergic reaction is caused by inadequate response from your immune system to foreign substances such as pollen, food, dust or chemicals. Conventional treatment includes antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Alternative health care providers use natural supplements such as vitamins, minerals and herbs to boost the immune system and, therefore, help your body to naturally fight allergies. If you have allergies and are considering taking natural supplements, you should first talk to a health care provider.

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential to your overall health. Vitamins regulate the metabolism and are involved in biochemical processes that help release energy from the food you consume. Minerals are necessary for the health of the bones, heart and nervous system. Some of these nutrients also play an important role in managing allergies because they help maintain proper function of the immune system and have anti-histaminic properties.

Vitamins

Vitamin D may reduce the risk of food allergies in children, according to a study conducted by a research team from Harvard Medical School published in the August 2010 issue of "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology." The authors indicate that vitamin D plays a key role in the immune system defense and protection of the digestive tract against food allergens.

Other research studies found that vitamins B3 in form of niacin or niacinamide and C may improve allergies due to their anti-histaminic qualities, says Dr.Werbach, author of "Textbook of Nutritional Medicine." He also suggests that vitamin B 12 has been found beneficial chronic urticaria and vitamin E may help atopic dermatitis. Both urticaria and atopic dermatitis are allergic skin conditions. Panthothenic acid has been also used for allergy relief, however, clinical research are needed to confirm the role of this vitamin in managing allergies, says Werbach.
In addition to vitamins B, C, D and E, Dr. James Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing "also recommends supplementation with vitamin A in allergic sufferers, explaining that this vitamin is necessary for optimal immune system function.

Minerals

Calcium helps relieve allergic conditions of the skin and respiratory system and magnesium may improve allergic reactions, especially if an individual who has magnesium deficiency. In addition to calcium and magnesium, the minerals manganese, potassium and zinc may improve symptoms of allergies.

Considerations

A variety of vitamins and minerals may be used to help manage allergies. A qualified health care provider may recommend you take extra vitamin B-3, C, D and E and minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in addition to a complex formula based on your symptoms. Keep in mind that vitamins and minerals do not replace anti-allergy drugs and are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat allergies.