Skip the Sneezy, Snotty Misery of Seasonal Allergies

Fifty million Americans suffer from allergies. And if you’re one of them, you’re probably already dreading the countdown to spring.

You remember all too well the sneezing, congestion, itchy nose, and watery eyes that make life MISERABLE when triggered by pollen, grass, and ragweed.

There are plenty of drugs to help treat allergy symptoms. However, their long-term use can lead to some unpleasant (or worse) side effects.

But an exciting new study has revealed a SURPRISING way to fight back against allergies.

Allergic rhinitis is an overreactive immune reaction to something like pollen or dust.

In response to the allergen, your body releases histamines that cause your nose to run, your eyes to water, and you to sneeze to REMOVE the offender.

Antihistamines help block histamine’s effect on your body.

But now there’s a NEW way to fight back. And it starts… of all places… in your BELLY.

The Guanke strain of Lactobacillus plantarum is a probiotic that scientists say controls your body’s immune response by helping maintain the Th1/Th2 balance. (Allergies often result from having too much Th2.)

With that in mind, researchers wanted to see if this probiotic strain could help treat allergic rhinitis.

The study included 47 adults with seasonal allergies who received 1.5 grams of Lactobacillus plantarum probiotic for four weeks.

By the end of the study, the volunteers experienced significant reductions in their total nasal and non-nasal symptom score.

They had significant improvements in the inflammation of the mucus membranes in their noses, as shown by their scores on a rhinitis control assessment test.

They also had decreases in serum IgE, a common allergy blood test, and reduced markers of inflammation.

These results are right in line with other recent research showing that there’s a connection between gut bacteria and the body’s response to allergies.

P.S. My picks for the top five foods to EASE seasonal allergies.

SOURCE:

“Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum GUANKE effectively alleviates allergic rhinitis symptoms by modulating functions of various cytokines and chemokines,” Front. Nutr., 15 January 2024, Sec. Nutritional Immunology,” Volume 10 – 2023, doi. org/ 10.3389 /fnut.2023.1291100