Preventive Allergy Supplements

Are your allergies aggravating you? Many medications are used to treat allergy symptoms, but natural remedies and supplements can offer a gentler approach.

Many allergy patients get advice on using supplements for their allergies.

"Some asthmatics have been shown to be deficient in vitamins B-6 and B-12. It certainly isn't going to hurt you and you know B vitamins are good for stress and having asthma is a stressful situation," Sharp Community Medical Group Immunologist and Allergist Dr. Clara Toro said.

Toro emphasizes the preventative qualities and reminds us that problems occur when you take too many or too much of a supplement.

"Less is better. First of all, they may not be synergistic. They may not work well with each other and they may even interfere with each other," Toro said.

In the book, Natural Ways to Relieve Allergies and Asthma, you can find out what certain supplements do:

Vitamin A maintains healthy mucous membranes as well as the skin, eyes and lungs.
Vitamin C eases nasal, sinus and bronchial congestion. Taking more than 200 to 250 mg a day is not useful to the body and could cause harm to the kidney.
Vitamin E neutralizes smog-induced symptoms that make allergies and asthma worse. Take 400 units of vitamin E each day.
Niacin inhibits the release of histamine, which sets off the whole process of inflammation and congestion.
Vitamin B-5 produces the natural anti-inflammatory cortisone. Take 4-7 milligrams daily.
Vitamin B-6 reduces allergy symptoms. Take 25-200 milligrams daily.
Vitamin B-12 reduces wheezing and reactions to sulfites used to preserve fresh vegetables and wine. Take between 9-25 micrograms, daily.
Calcium reduces allergic reactions in the skin and respiratory tract. A daily dose of 1 gram reduces the swelling of nasal passages caused by allergens.
Vitamin D-2, combined with calcium eases airway constriction in asthma.
Selenium maintains the health of membranes and fights free radical damage to cells and tissues. Take 50 to 200 micrograms daily, but don't exceed 200 micrograms since it could be toxic.

Minerals like magnesium balanced with calcium also have preventative qualities.

"It dilates the bronchial muscle. You have to remember this is a mild bronchial dilator. It's not going to help you if you have an asthma attack and you take a pill of magnesium. It isn't going to do it." Take 80 to 100 mg at the maximum. If you take too much you will get a laxative effect," Toro said.

Let your doctor recommend the right supplement to prevent your allergy supplements from accelerating.