Spring allergy season is here again…
Every spring, but especially this year, our biggest challenge is to preserve our health. In addition to the gradual immunity strengthening, we are again tormented by annoying, mostly seasonal allergies. In fact, allergies are the result of our immune system’s response to a certain substance. The immune system mistakenly detects a substance as a threat or danger to it. The immune response can be mild, from coughing and runny nose, to a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
When it comes to allergies, we generally do not pay attention to the reasons for their occurrence, but we are tormented by allergy symptoms, i.e. allergic reactions. An allergic reaction starts in our immune system. When it encounters an otherwise harmless substance, such as dust, mold or pollen, the immune system of a person allergic to that substance can overreact by producing antibodies that “attack” a certain allergen, i.e. a substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Allergens can come from a variety of sources. Some of them are: grass, trees, pollen, roots of various plants, mites, food products, such as peanuts or strawberries. Next, there are chemicals, such as detergents, soaps, disinfectants, perfumes, and the like.
Allergy symptoms
Allergy symptoms occur when your body’s immune system overreacts to the allergens in your environment. Your immune system begins to fight them as if they were bacteria or viruses, by releasing a biochemical substance called histamine.
When you are allergic to a substance, your body thinks that the substance is pathogenic (i.e. bacteria, virus, parasite, etc.) and tries to destroy it. The most common reactions to allergies, i.e. allergy symptoms are shortness of breath, itching, sneezing, swollen throat, runny nose, watery or teary eyes, and others.
Allergies can occur during any season, but they are most common in spring and autumn.
Many allergy medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness or increased drying of the airway mucosa. People with allergies are increasingly considering the use of alternative natural preparations on the advice of a doctor. Two minerals, zinc and magnesium, have a special role in defending immunity and preventing allergies.
Zinc and allergies
Many studies of changes in everyday life trends and circumstances have been encouraged by the increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases around the world. Dietary changes stand out as one of the most important factors for the development of allergies. One of the primary elements present in all organs and tissues is zinc.
Zinc is also known as a cofactor of cellular proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Zinc is necessary for cellular functions in the body, and improper zinc homeostasis can cause various health problems.
Because zinc deficiency can result in a range of impairments in organisms, including the immune system, it has a strong association with an increased rate of allergic diseases in children and adults (1). Zinc demonstrates its antioxidant (2), anti-apoptotic (3), anti-inflammatory (4), and anti-allergic (5) effects in preventing allergies, skin diseases, and airway obstruction in the body.
Zinc deficiency plays a role in the pathogenesis and severity of various allergies. Therefore, maintaining a normal zinc value in the body can reduce the risk of developing and progressing allergic conditions, especially in people who already have low levels of zinc in the body. A large number of clinical studies have reported an association between an increased incidence of allergic diseases and decreased zinc levels.
An analysis of 62 related studies from 2011 concluded that deficiencies in a large number of nutrients, but most of all zinc, were associated with an increased prevalence of asthma and allergies (6).
Studies have also shown that there is a relation between low zinc levels and the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (7).
Magnesium and allergies
You may already be aware that magnesium, as a mineral, can ease symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue or weakness. But did you know it can also help with seasonal allergies? Doctors believe that a healthy diet and appropriate supplements can support your immune system, keeping it strong but not overactive.
is a key mineral that helps relieve constricted airways in the lungs (8).
A study found there was a serious deficiency of magnesium with higher levels of histamine in the blood of the animals from the laboratory when exposed to allergens than in animals that received enough amount of magnesium. Histamine is normally released by the body in response to allergens, the cause of allergy symptoms (9).
Even some food allergies are most likely the result of magnesium deficiency, as stated in the study. Magnesium and the amino acid histidine are also needed for assistance in breaking down some wheat products. Therefore, if any or a combination of nutrients is depleted in our body, we react negatively to these substances or products (10). Problems can also occur with allergens found in the air, dust, dog or cat hair, detergents, wool, feathers, or when we are sensitive to wheat products.
Magnesium deficiency is something that bothers most people, although the majority is not even aware of it. Prevention Magazine notes that magnesium ” helps relieve constricted airways in the lungs ” (11). According to an article in the British medical journal The Lancet, optimal magnesium level is associated with lower rates of asthma and allergies (12).
Studies such as these above show that magnesium can help maintainance of relaxed airway smooth muscles, and also in the widening of bronchioles. Besides, magnesium helps in lowering histamine levels and reduction of various inflammation types in the lungs and airways in general (13).
Magnall® Immuno
Even though we are trying, our intake of these two minerals important for fighting allergies and strengthening the immune system is usually not enough. We can now solve this in one move, with the recommended dose of magnesium and zinc in just one capsule a day of Magnall® Immuno.
is a unique formulation of magnesium and zinc. It helps the body maintain normal immune system function, as well as regulate the immune response to any type of allergy.
Take care of preventing allergies, as well as strenghtening your immunity, in just one move – with Magnall® Immuno!
Reference:
(1) Öner Özdemir; “Zinc and Allergy Relation”; Immunology eISSN: 2373-4442; Department of Pediatrics, Research and Training Hospital of Sakarya University, Turkey; https://medcraveonline.com/MOJI/zinc-and-allergy-relation.html
(2) Zalevski PD, Truong-Tran AQ, Grosser D, Jayaram L, Murgia C, et al. (2005); “ Zinc metabolism in airway epithelium and airway inflammation: basic mechanisms and clinical targets”. Pharmacol Ther 105(2):
(3) Truong-Tran AQ, Ruffin RE, Foster PS, Koskinen AM, Coyle P, et al. (2002); “Altered zinc homeostasis and caspase-3 activity in murine allergic airway inflammation”; Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 27(3): 286-29
(4) Richter M, Bonneau R, Girard M, Beaulieu C, Larivee P (2003) Zinc status modulates bronchopulmonary eosinophil infiltration in a murine model of allergic inflammation. Chest 123 (3 Suppl): 446S.
(5) Öner Özdemir; “Zinc and Allergy Relation”; Immunology eISSN: 2373-4442; Department of Pediatrics, Research and Training Hospital of Sakarya University, Turkey; https://medcraveonline.com/MOJI/zinc-and-allergy-relation.html
(6) Nurmatov U, et al. (2011). Nutrients and foods for the primary prevention of asthma and allergy: systematic review and meta-analysis; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2010.11.001
(7) Toyran M, et al. (2012). Trace element levels in children with atopic dermatitis. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23101308
(8) Landon RA1, Young EA; ” Role of magnesium in regulation of lung function”; J Am Diet Assoc. 1993 Jun;93(6):674-7.
(10) https://bodyandsoulreconnection.com/food-allergies-can-be-reversed/
(11) 3 Supplements For Allergies”; https://www.prevention.com/health/a20460618/3-supplements-for-allergies/?utm_campaign=sniply&utm_medium=sniply&utm_source=sniply
(12) Lancet; Prof AE Tattersfield, MD ; Prof AJ Knox, DM; Prof JR Britton, MD; “Asthma” Published:October 26, 2002DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11312-2
