Natural Alternatives to Allergy Treatment

The treatment of allergies has evolved a lot over the years. It was once thought that allergy shots or the injection of common allergens was the best method for treating allergies. However, in recent years, prescription medications and the use of over the counter allergy remedies have become much more popular due to the added convenience and more immediate results. With recent concern over the side effects and the long-term effects of these kinds of medications, however, many people are looking for a more natural approach. Fortunately, there are many natural alternatives to treating allergies that offer equally effective results.

Of the many beneficial supplements for boosting the immune system and combating allergies, fish oil is one of the most notorious. While the best way to reap the benefits of fish oil and omega-3s is to incorporate more of them into your diet, fish oil is also available as a supplement and can be taken in capsule form. Omega-3s and fish oil can be found in foods such as salmon, tuna, oysters, and mackerel. In addition, omega-3s are found in foods like walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, and spinach. Fish oil and Omega-3s have many other health benefits besides treating allergies as well. This supplement has been found to help boost heart health, aid in the treatment of asthma and depression, and also works as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Another natural method for treating allergies and boosting the immune system involves the use of probiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that normally are found inside the digestive tract. However, there are many things that can deplete the level of friendly bacteria that normally exists. Antibiotics work to destroy dangerous forms of bacteria that can lead to infection, but they can also kill off the good kind of bacteria as well. Patients who have recently taken antibiotics or who use antibiotics frequently may need to restore the level of probiotics in their digestive tract. Also, stress and an unhealthy diet can lead to lower levels of healthy bacteria.

Probitotics are essential to the human immune system and help to ward off attackers such as dangerous bacteria and allergens. Probiotics can be found in many popular brands of yogurt, such as DanActiv or Activia, but they are also available in a supplement form. Acidophillus is a natural supplement that has long been used a probiotic pill. Acidophillus pearls are essentially the same thing, but are available as smaller capsules.

One of the newest probiotic pills to the market is a brand called Align probiotic. It is sold in the pharmacy section of your local drug or discount store. Align offers the same probiotic health benefits of eating yogurt like Activia on a daily basis for those who do not like or are unable to eat yogurt. Align is a capsule that is taken daily to help boost the immune system and replenish friendly bacteria in the digestive tract.