The Most Effective Foods For Fighting Allergies

Fall has fallen and winter is almost upon us. For those of you reaching for another antihistamine, hold on one sec. Did you know that there are many delicious foods you probably already know and enjoy that can help you build your defense against cold and seasonal allergies?

Allergies can make for one miserable time – with all the sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and generally feeling like a soggy mess – but there are many foods high in anti-allergic compounds that can significantly assist you in beating back the symptoms and getting through another winter in good health.

Following is a short compendium of some of the most effective foods for fighting allergies, if you believe your diet could use an infusion of raw allergy busting nutrition, read on:

Start with Loads of Fatty Fish…

Fatty fish have two specific omega-3 fatty acids that can seriously diminish the symptoms of a flu or allergy condition, these are DHA and EPA. Omega-3 fatty acids are a well known anti-allergic and eating it right from the fish –rather than in the form of a supplement –is the best way to glean the best results.

This is because numerous studies have shown that the only way to get the full benefit from the minerals, vitamins, and even omega-3 fatty acids, is in food form.

So be sure to feast on mackerel, sardines, salmon , bluefish, herring, trout and tuna. These are all excellent sources of this important compound and will keep you from feeling terribly under the weather this season.

Eating Fish comes with a specific caveat concerning the amount of mercury in farmed fish — for this reason fish pulled from the wild is always the best option.

… a Couple bags of Nuts…

And it is not just the bounty of the ocean that is abundant with omega-3 fatty acids, tree nuts like chestnuts, pecans, walnuts, and even flaxseeds are also a formidable source of omega-3 fatty acids, although when in plants it is called the ALA chain –a compound that facilitates the production of DHA and EPA in the body.

To give you an idea of the what the equivalent would be, an average handful of nuts has about as much fatty acids as 3 Oz of salmon. Although for optimal results you would eat both of these nutritious vitamins twice a week.

In addition to their fatty acid bonus, flaxseeds also contain a wealth of selenium, a compound that can significantly reduce the allergic response. Remember that all the nutrients mentioned here are best consumed in their natural form rather than in the form of a supplement.

…Carrots, Broccoli, and other such Veggies…

There is another important nutrient you must be aware of, quercetin is a flavonoid found in many foods that is known to significantly reduce the allergens and their symptoms. It is presumed that the presence of quercetin in the diet prevents the body from producing histamines, the allergic response –and the reason we have antihistamines.

Foods high in quercetin include broccoli, apples, cabbage, onions, cauliflower and many teas as well, most of these foods also contain another very important anti-allergic property

…along with Plenty of Citrus…

Vitamin C is one of the best defenses against the cold and sickness, much like omega-3 fatty acids it is best to receive your daily intake in the form of food rather than to try and receive it through supplements –it is absorbed more naturally and this is better.

You can find this in oranges, mangos, papayas, pineapples and tangerines and plenty more delicious orbs of nutritional goodness carefully laid out at your nearest farmers market or produce aisle. Make sure to have at least two or three servings each day for best results.

.. a Daily Tooth of Garlic…

Garlic is very effective in cleaning and remedying the ailments of the bodies, it has been used in countless potions and health concoctions through the ages. Special compounds in garlic stop the production of allergy causing chemicals.

There are many ways that the awesome sickness fighting power of garlic can be taken. Many delicious foods, for instance, however the best way to get your rations or garlic is to eat it whole, or swallow one tooth a day –it will certainly keep the mosquitoes away.

… and finally a cup of Yogurt

Studies have shown that the beneficial bacterias in yogurt, or probiotics, can also cause the individual to be less susceptible to allergens like pollen. The presence of these probiotics in the body system helps to decrease the reaction to allergies, according to many doctors digestive enzymes also have this effect.

Some people have developed allergic reactions to eating yogurt, however, many doctors and specialists consider this anecdotal and further tests are being done. If you believe that you may have any allergies to yogurt, you may want to eat a small amount and see how it sits with you before admitting it into your diet plan.

Looking for some other effective foods that can help you fighting allergies? Here is also a nice video that can help 🙂