After a long, cold winter, no one welcomes the spring as much as me.  We New Yorkers may have had snowier winters, sure, but the winter of 2010 rivals some of the coldest winters the Empire State has ever had.

As much as I enjoy the spring, though, it’s not without its drawbacks.  With spring comes mud season, tax season and, perhaps worst of all, allergy season.  Everyone around me has allergies.  And sorry to say it, but this year’s allergy season may be among the more sneeze-filled in recent memory.

In parts of California, throughout the Midwest and Atlantic coast, as far south as Florida and in the three of the six New England states, pollen rates are at an all-time high.  The Associated Press cites a number of allergy specialists who have been “overwhelmed” by the number of people coming to them seeking sinus relief.  And while every spring season brings an increased incidence of sneezing and wheezing, the unusually cold temperatures throughout the country this past winter—particularly in the southeastern sections of the country like Florida, Alabama and Georgia—will make this allergy season one for the record books.

Traditionally, people combat their pollen problems by asking their primary care physician for an allergy prescription.  These more often than not do the job, but not without making people feeling highly groggy; drowsiness is far and away the leading side effect of antihistamines.

When it comes to side effects, drowsiness isn’t so bad.  But there are several other side effects of antihistamines that the allergy director at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center, Dr. Javed Sheikh, thinks you ought be aware of. These include:

• Increased appetite
  
  
• Decreased libido
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Anxiety
  
  
• Altered taste and smell
  
  
• Infertility in women
  
  
• Decreased mental acuity

But if you want to decrease allergy symptoms without the added side effects that come with antihistamine use, give these nutrients and supplements a try:

• Methylsulfonylmethane—This is a naturally occurring sulfur that’s completely safe (don’t let the spelling of the word fool you into thinking it’s a poison or some kind of toxic chemical).  Often referred to as MSM, this sulfur is found naturally in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage, as well as meat and poultry sources.  Unfortunately, the cooking process diminishes these foods of this health-promoting sulfur, making MSM a difficult thing to get into the diet through food sources alone.  Because allergy symptoms are often a sign that the body is low in sulfur, you should consider buying an MSM supplement at a reputable supplement supplier.  Use as directed.
  
  
• Acidophilus—Used primarily as a treatment for bacterial vaginosis in women, acipophilus has also been found to help treat symptoms related to tree pollen.  Use as directed.
  
  
• Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids—Vitamin C is part of my daily supplement regimen and I have no doubt it’s part of the reason why I don’t suffer from allergies.  The magic lies in vitamin C’s ability to moderate the body’s inflammatory response to allergens. I take a minimum of 3,000 mg of vitamin C every day.

Sources
newsmaxhealth.com
worldimagenaturals.com
aolhealth.com
Balch, Phyllis A. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.” 4th Edition. 2006. Avery: New York