Get Rid OAllergies With These 3 Nutrients....

Dear Reader, nnDid you know there are nutrients in fruits and vegetables that can help you get rid of allergies?nnMany of you are suffering from sneezing, sniffling, runny nose, and watery, itchy eyes. The problem is that even if you’re getting relief from the usual allergy drugs, you’re replacing one set of problems with another—and the consequences can be serious.nnThat’s because most of these medications aren’t good for you. Today you learn about a safe, natural way to beat allergies.nnBoth over-the-counter and prescription allergy drugs come with a host of side effects that pose serious health risks. You may have experienced some of them, including:nn• Drowsinessn• “Brain fog”n• Rapid or irregular heartbeatn• High blood pressuren• Constipationn• Dry mouthn• Short-term memory lossn• Urine retentionn• Erectile dysfunctionn• Muscle spasmsn• Kidney and liver damagen• Blurred visionnnFighting allergies doesn’t have to be this unpleasant—or dangerous.nnThe secret behind Nature’s remedy lies in three natural compounds: bromelain, quercetin, and vitamin C. Bromelain comes from the roots of the pineapple tree. Quercetin is plentiful in all kinds of plants, including apples, berries, broccoli, squash, and some nuts and seeds. And of course many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C.nnEven though there have been plenty of studies proving their effectiveness, this “triple threat” has slipped under modern medicine’s radar screen. I’ve been using them with great success in my practice for years.nnThink of allergies as a kind of mistake. They happen because things like dust, pollen, or stuff in animal fur trick your immune system into thinking it’s under attack (that’s why the symptoms of colds and allergies can be so similar—they’re your body’s way of responding to a foreign invader).nnBut if you have an allergy to them, your body kicks into gear anyway. Special cells in the blood vessel linings of the inner eyelids, nasal membranes, and lungs release substances called histamine and inflammatory prostaglandins. These are the real culprits behind all the misery. They release fluids and cause swelling to flush out what your body thinks is a viral or bacterial infection.nnQuercetin targets the special cells that make histamine. Studies have shown that it not only prevents allergies before they start; it can stop allergic reactions in progress, even at doses as low as 1.5 micrograms. And it works instantly. nnBromelain partners up against allergic reactions in two different ways. It counteracts the effects of inflammatory prostaglandin, and also helps your body to absorb quercetin more efficiently.nnVitamin C adds two more allergy-fighting forces to help you fend off the sniffles. You probably already know about its immune-boosting benefits. It turns out it’s also a potent anti-histamine. It halts the production of histamine and speeds up the breakdown of histamine already in the blood. A 1992 study showed that taking two grams of vitamin C per day lowered histamine levels by 38 percent in healthy adults—after just one week. nnWhat’s more, vitamin C and quercetin reinforce each other. Vitamin C makes quercetin last longer, and quercetin prevents vitamin C from breaking down. nnYou can find formulas that combine bromelain and quercetin in health food stores. Follow the directions on the label, since the recommended amounts will vary depending on how severe your allergies are.nnAdd about 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day to get the full anti-allergy benefit.nnTo Your Good Health,nAl Sears, MDnn1 Middleton, E. et al “ Quercetin: an inhibitor of antigen-induced human basophil histamine release.” Journal of Immunology. 1981. 127:546-50.n2 Kelly, G. “Bromelain: A literature review and discussion of its therapeutic applications.” Alternative Medical Review. 1996. 1:243-57.n3 Johnston, C. et al “ Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis.” Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 1992. II(2):172-76.n4 Middleton, E. et al. “The effects of plant flavonoids on mammalian cells: implications for inflammation, heart disease and cancer.” Pharmacological Review. 2000. 52:673-751.nn