magazine-pdf.org_13325_Better_Nutrition_April_2017_2

allergy
SURVIVAL
natural
supplements
to let you
breathe
easier
BY LISA TURNER
GUIDE
Ah, the sunny days, chirping birds, blooming flowers,
and budding trees of spring: it’s magical to many of us.
But for the 26 million Americans who suffer from
seasonal allergies, the stirrings of spring and summer signal
weeks of sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose. You
could stay inside and just skip the whole thing. But if you’re
susceptible to airborne allergies, indoor irritants such as pet
dander, mold, dust mites, and even cleaning products can trigger
some nasty symptoms.
What happens when your body is exposed to pollen, grass,
or other seasonal allergies? The bronchial and nasal passageways
in the body are lined with mucous membranes; these are
rich in mast cells, a type of immune cell that contains histamine,
a chemical that’s responsible for most allergy symptoms.
Mast cells are lined with receptors—if a receptor encounters
an airborne allergen, such as pollen, it alerts the mast cell to
release histamine, which causes a chain reaction of events
designed to expel the foreign invader from the body, including
sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
All in all, it’s pretty miserable. But if you suffer from seasonal
allergies, you don’t have to sit out spring. Many natural supplements
have been shown to reduce or even eliminate allergy
symptoms and improve overall well-being. Arm yourself with these
seven natural supplements, and start taking them before allergy
season begins. You may even be able to stop and smell the roses.
!" • APRIL 2017