Allergies

What are allergies? Many of us have symptoms and reactions to things in our surroundings. [1] Pollen, foods, medicines. environmental encounters with latex, pet dander, mold, insects and/or their bites and stings can trigger allergies. The list is almost endless, making it difficult to find the clarity that might lead to a resolution. The word is allergen- a substance that causes a reaction in some people but is harmless to others. So, an allergy[2] is not the allergen, an allergy is the reaction to the allergen.

Why then do we get the reaction? The system in our body that responds to the allergen, the allergic response, is our immune system. It’s not just a response to the allergen; it’s an over-response. The biochemistry of this is understood well enough that many effective medical interventions have arisen. Many people find relief from the medical (prescription and OTC) interventions available, but is it possible that symptom management becomes “a piece of tape over our Check Engine Light”? How might you know? Every person is unique and there are no simple rules that cover everyone in complicated matters such as these. No one should change or discontinue prescription medications without the instruction of their prescribing provider. Many people have found that their allergies have responded favorably to nutritional support.

We also created a short video to introduce this idea—watch it here before diving deeper into the details below.

The A Team

As we look at foods and food supplements to find strength and resilience in the face of our overwhelmed immune system, we don’t have to look far to find a place to begin. Zinc, Quercetin, bioflavonoids, Elderberry, Garlic along with Vitamins A, C and D are on the short list of tried-and-true resources for immune support.

I spent years in the fitness and supplements industry before I decided to return to school to pursue Chiropractic. The supplements industry is a wonderful field, a volatile landscape where good (or bad) ideas can be promoted and vetted by the jury of the marketplace. However, in the excitement of novel ideas and advances and understanding, some very good tools fade from popularity and memory.

The Role of Vitamin C

There was a time when remarkable results in wellness and recuperation were realized by trying a regimen of higher-dosage vitamin C. One-gram (1000 mg) doses- or as tolerated- taken two, three or four times spaced through the day can favorably support the immune system and is worth a try.

The Role of Garlic and Cod Liver Oil

Garlic has long been relied upon for its health benefits, especially before the advent of antibiotics. Similarly, Cod Liver Oil gained recognition for its combination of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and healthy fatty acids, earning it a spot alongside Garlic as a Superfood. While fresh Garlic is likely the most effective, supplement preparations like Kyolic [5] have become popular staples in many health regimens. Cod Liver Oil can be difficult to consume due to its taste, taking supplements that provide Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Omega-3s can offer many of the same health benefits, helping us achieve the wellness benefits Cod Liver Oil is known for. I have long relied on the emulsified version [4] of Cod Liver Oil which somewhat improves the taste but definitely improves assimilation.

The Role of Vitamin D, Zinc and Quercetin

The lessons learned during the Covid crisis shouldn’t be lost on us, where we saw Vitamin D, Zinc and Quercetin (a zinc ionophore, transporting zinc across membranes like hydroxychloroquine) have success in combating the virus and in mitigating Long Covid [3]- so demonstrating usefulness in supporting immune modulation. Getting tested for Vitamin D levels and supplementing to stay in the high end of normal could help with qualified immune function. Long before there was a Covid epidemic, health food store shelves stocked quercetin for the people that had come to rely on this special bioflavonoid as a difference-maker in the fight against allergies. Quercetin effectiveness can be improved when taken with zinc as well as glutathione. Elderberry is among the most concentrated natural forms of quercetin, and it makes sense to me to potentiate the benefit of quercetin with elderberry syrup.

Try Eliminating the Allergen

The other obvious course of action is to, of course, avoid allergens. Some people find improvement here by looking beyond the obvious. Pollen, foods, medicines, environmental encounters with latex, pet dander, mold and insects are the more obvious culprits. For some, however, things like metals found in jewelry, textiles (clothing and bedding), or detergents or perfumes can be offenders. The tedium of trying to eliminate things one by one can be challenging but the improvement can be worth it.

Can a Chiropractor help?

Allergy sufferers might have another recourse for relief- a chiropractic adjustment. Many of the people I have worked with over the years find their own unique combination of things that help and things to avoid- we hope something here can be of help to you.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Seals, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Seals and his community. Dr. Seals encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

[1] Facts and stats – 50 million Americans have allergies. ACAAI Patient. (2024, January 25). https://acaai.org/allergies/allergies-101/facts-stats/

[2] Matías-Pérez, D., Antonio-Estrada, C., Guerra-Martínez, A., García-Melo, K. S., Hernández-Bautista, E., & García-Montalvo, I. A. (2024, January 8). Relationship of quercetin intake and oxidative stress in persistent COVID. Frontiers in nutrition. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10800910/

[3] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2024, August 24). Allergies. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497

[4] Swanson premium emulsified cod liver oil – mint flavor 16 fl oz Liq – Swanson®. Emulsified Cod Liver Oil – Mint Flavor 16 fl oz Liq – Swanson®. (n.d.). https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/swanson-premium-emulsified-cod-liver-oil-mint-16-fl-oz-474-ml-liquid

[5] Wakunaga: Quality Supplements to support your healthy lifestyle. Wakunaga of America. (2024, March 7). https://kyolic.com/

Written by: Donaid Seals D.C

Dr. Seals is a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic with over 25 years of experience caring for people. His thinking is the product of his education, practice experience and many years in the natural foods and fitness industry. He has become living proof that old muscleheads don’t die-or fade away; sometimes they grow up to bring real-world expertise to the clinical picture. Traditional background information is available here.