5 Best Vitamins for Allergies and Sinus Relief

If you suffer from allergies, you know the sinus pain, congestion, and discomfort all too well. And you're not alone. Allergies are common; seasonal allergies affect over 25% of adults and 20% of children in the United States. The numbers are even higher if you add other allergic and sinus conditions. (Source 1)

Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and foods like peanuts or shellfish. These allergens can trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, itchy eyes, or skin rashes. People with allergies may need to avoid exposure or take supplements or medications to manage symptoms.

Natural remedies, including supplements, can help support immunity and alleviate allergy symptoms. They may also play a preventative role. This article will dive into vitamins for allergies and sinus relief. We'll discuss:

• Vitamin C
• Quercetin
• Curcumin
• Glutathione
• Vitamin D

"Natural remedies, including supplements, can help support immunity and alleviate allergy symptoms. They may also play a preventative role."

Supplements and Immune Health

The immune system requires many vitamins and minerals for proper functioning, including vitamins A, C, D, and E and selenium and zinc. Additionally, antioxidants from plant foods or made by the body also serve as immune support. (Source 2)

Several supplements may enhance immune health and support allergic responses. Next, let's look at the specific nutrients and vitamins for allergies and sinus support.

Vitamin C

Humans can't synthesize vitamin C; we need to obtain it regularly from vegetables and fruit. As a supplement, vitamin C is well-known for its antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. It helps prevent oxidative damage and reactivates other antioxidants, including vitamin E and glutathione. (Source 3)

Research supports vitamin C supplements for the common cold, but its immune benefits go further. Research is promising for using vitamin C supplements to support allergic conditions and demonstrates preventative effects. (Source 3)

"Research supports vitamin C supplements for the common cold, but its immune benefits go further. Research is promising for using vitamin C supplements to support allergic conditions and demonstrates preventative effects."

Vitamin C is safe as a vitamin for allergies and sinus health, even at high doses. However, high doses of standard vitamin C may cause digestive side effects. Liposomal vitamin C is better tolerated, absorbed, and bioavailable.

Recommended vitamin C products:

• Core Med Science Liposomal Vitamin C - Softgels
• Core Med Science Liposomal Vitamin C - Liquid Sunflower Formula
• Core Med Science Liposomal Vitamin C - Capsules

Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid plant nutrient found in apples, onions, and other plant foods. It supports the immune system in many ways because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-allergic properties. As a natural antihistamine, quercetin may suppress the histamine response associated with environmental and seasonal allergies. (Source 4, 5)

"As a natural antihistamine, quercetin may suppress the histamine response associated with environmental and seasonal allergies."

Read more about using quercetin for allergies here.

Quercetin supplements have low bioavailability, which is improved with a liposomal delivery system.

Recommended product:

• Core Med Science Liposomal Quercetin

Curcumin

Curcumin is the active compound of turmeric spice and is well-researched for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. More recently, scientists are investigating curcumin as supplemental support for allergies and allergic diseases because of its ability to modulate the immune system. One reason for its benefits may include the promotion of glutathione synthesis, which we'll discuss next. (Source 6)

Like the other supplements discussed, curcumin is safe, even at high doses, but is more bioavailable in a liposomal form.

Recommended curcumin products:

• Core Med Science Liposomal Curcumin + Resveratrol - Liquid
• Core Med Science Liposomal Curcumin - Liquid
• Core Med Science Liposomal Curcumin - Capsules

Glutathione

Glutathione, the body's master antioxidant, comes from the diet and is made by the body. Antioxidants, including glutathione, help protect cells from the damage caused by allergic inflammation and an overactive immune response. Stress, toxins, and inflammation can deplete glutathione, making supplementation supportive for those with allergies.

Research suggests that those with a low dietary intake of antioxidants correlate with higher allergy and asthma rates. Glutathione may help to restore immune balance and cellular health in those with allergies. (Source 7, 8)

"Research suggests that those with a low dietary intake of antioxidants correlate with higher allergy and asthma rates."

Recommended glutathione products:

• Core Med Science Liposomal Glutathione - Softgels
• Core Med Science Liposomal Glutathione - Liquid
• Core Med Science Liposomal Glutathione - Capsules

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is known for its role in calcium metabolism and bone health, but it's also critical for immune health. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and may be one reason behind the rise in allergic diseases in recent decades. Vitamin D is critical for lung development, immune modulation, and more. (Source 9)

Restoring optimal vitamin D levels may be part of a functional medicine treatment plan for allergies and chronic sinus issues. I recommend testing vitamin D levels (25-hydroxy vitamin D) in the blood and supplementing accordingly to achieve desired levels. Please work with your functional medicine provider for guidance.

Final Thoughts

When looking for allergy and sinus relief, the best tools often target and support immune health and balance. Turn to the natural world for vitamin C, quercetin, curcumin, glutathione, and vitamin D support.

Core Med Science has you covered with quality liposomal supplements that provide superior absorption and bioavailability.

References:

1. https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-people-in-the-united-states-suffer-from-allergies/
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ImmuneFunction-HealthProfessional/
3. Ghalibaf, M. H. E., Kianian, F., Beigoli, S., Behrouz, S., Marefati, N., Boskabady, M., & Boskabady, M. H. (2023). The effects of vitamin C on respiratory, allergic and immunological diseases: an experimental and clinical-based review. Inflammopharmacology, 31(2), 653-672.
4. Yang, D., Wang, T., Long, M., & Li, P. (2020). Quercetin: Its Main Pharmacological Activity and Potential Application in Clinical Medicine. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2020, 8825387.
5. Mlcek, J., Jurikova, T., Skrovankova, S., & Sochor, J. (2016). Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 21(5), 623.
6. Haftcheshmeh, S. M., Mirhafez, S. R., Abedi, M., Heydarlou, H., Shakeri, A., Mohammadi, A., & Sahebkar, A. (2022). Therapeutic potency of curcumin for allergic diseases: A focus on immunomodulatory actions. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 154, 113646.
7. Moreno-Macias, H., & Romieu, I. (2014). Effects of antioxidant supplements and nutrients on patients with asthma and allergies. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 133(5), 1237-1245.
8. Fan, Y., Yang, C., Zhou, J., Cheng, X., Dong, Y., Wang, Q., & Wang, Z. (2021). Regulatory effect of glutathione on treg/Th17 cell balance in allergic rhinitis patients through inhibiting intracellular autophagy. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology, 43(1), 58-67.
9. Mirzakhani, H., Al-Garawi, A., Weiss, S. T., & Litonjua, A. A. (2015). Vitamin D and the development of allergic disease: how important is it?. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 45(1), 114-125.