How To Choose The Right Supplement For Your Dog
Know that supplements are designed to boost your dogs diet and can help ease symptoms, but wont 100% cure your dogs allergies. Heres what to look for when choosing a supplement:
- Ingredients. If your pup has a food allergy, checking the ingredient label is very important to ensure youre not introducing the ingredient that theyre sensitive to.
- Hypoallergenic formula. This is especially important for dogs with food sensitivities. Hypoallergenic formulas are created with easily digestible ingredients that are intended to avoid causing allergic reactions.
- Reduce inflammation. The red skin, hot spots, and swelling you see in your dog when theyre dealing with allergies is inflammation. Supplements that work to reduce inflammation can help ease these symptoms.
- Immune system support. Dogs need a strong immune system to fight off any infections, diseases, and even allergy symptoms. Supporting their immune system means supporting their overall health.
Risks And Side Effects
While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.
When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.
Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:
- trouble breathing
- rash
- vomiting
If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.
What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.
Are There Any Foods That Help With Allergies
While some foods may worsen your allergic reaction, including alcohol, sugar, melons, and even bananas, some foods may help with allergies. For example, foods rich in Vitamin C, such as watermelon, strawberries, and oranges, offset the inflammatory response from allergens.
And anyone will likely tell you after eating a bite of some pork vindaloo, that spicy foods, such as horseradish, hot peppers, and hot mustard can act as a natural decongestant. Some spices, including anise and fennel seed, may also offer some allergy relief. They stimulate the mucosal cilia breaking up congestion.
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Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Supplement
What we love: Zesty Paws chews are chock full of omega 3 fatty acids, including wild alaskan salmon oil, EPA, and DHA, which naturally help dogs overall skin and immune system. Plus, the chews have prebiotics and probiotics to support digestion and vitamins and minerals that naturally aid immune function. Bottles come in counts of 90 or 250, so you can stay stocked up.
What customers say: An astounding 47,000+ reviews on Amazon concur that Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites is their top choice as an alternative to costly veterinarian prescriptions. People love how the treats have helped their dogs itching and scratching. Its no surprise that the bites are ranked as the top product in Amazons Dog Itch Remedies category.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No.
Ingredients: Active: Colostrum 250 mg EpiCor® fermentate 80 mg apple cider vinegar, 75 mg salmon oil, 70 mg astragalus root, 60 mg 5-strain probiotic blend 250 million CFU, Inactive: Coconut glycerin, flaxseed, fructooligosaccharides, garbanzo flour, lamb, mixed tocopherols, natural flavors , palm fruit oil, pea flour, powdered cellulose, rosemary extract, sunower lecithin.
How Vitamin C Helps With Seasonal Allergies
Spring is well-known for its ability to roil up the allergy misery for seasonal sufferers. But outdoor allergy problems can and do occur all year long. It just depends on what youre allergic to.
What are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies occur when there is an overreaction of the immune system to a foreign substance called an allergen. This immune response involves the release of histamine into your bloodstream which prompts the onslaught of allergy symptoms. The classic symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, itchy eyes, asthma, nasal congestion, and a runny nose.
Vitamin C: The Natural Antihistamine
Antihistamine therapy does not work for everyone it can leave you feeling dry and tired. Other side effects include difficulty with urination and irritability. Vitamin C is a welcomed alternative. In fact, it is essential that you eat foods rich in Vitamin C as your body doesnt make it on its own. A potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects your cells from damage, reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps your body to fight infections. When taken during allergy season, vitamin C can slow down the overreaction of your body to environmental triggers by decreasing your bodys histamine production.
If youre thinking that Vitamin C is pretty much confined to citrus fruits and juices, youre in for a big and pleasant surprise. These are also foods rich in Vitamin C:
- Chili peppers
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Be Choosy With Your Supplement Choice
If you have a food allergy, you already know that you have to be very careful when it comes to reading food ingredients labels. After all, ingredients can change without warning! This holds true for finding the right multivitamin and mineral supplement.
But what may be more difficult about reading ingredients labels on supplements is that they may not give you the whole picture. Supplement manufacturers dont have to comply with the Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act , which regulates the labeling of allergens on food products.
Why? Vitamins fall under the category of dietary supplements, and they arent regulated by the FDA with the same attention we see with food. In fact, dietary supplements are voluntarily regulated by the manufacturers themselves, and therefore do not have to comply with FALCPA, although many manufacturers do add allergen warnings to their product labels.
What Is The Best Natural Alternative To Antihistamines For Natural Allergy Relief
Considering that most allergies are from natural substances, dander, pollen, dust, to name a few, it stands to reason that there would be natural allergy remedies for these allergy triggers. These natural alternatives are plant-derived and are believed to be just as effective to improve symptoms. Allergic skin reactions can also occur during allergy season.
What is often preferred about using natural supplements for allergies is that they dont come with the side effects that OTC medications often do. The following are side effects that some people experience when they take OTC or prescription allergy medicine:
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Hyperactivity
- Feeling nervous or anxious
Now, lets address some of the more popular natural supplements for allergies, what they do, and why they are effective.
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What Is Quercetin Used For
In alternative medicine, quercetin is said to help with the following conditions:
So far, results to support the benefits of quercetin are mixed. Furthermore, its use for some conditions has only been examined in test tube or animal studies.
If you’re considering using it, consult your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.
Here’s a look at some research highlights.
Supplements For Allergy Relief And Prevention
Last week, I offered my top ten tips for beating spring allergies. This week, Im arming you with the supplements you need to keep the sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes at bay.
Most often when seasonal allergies strike, we reach for the Claritin or the Allegra, but you can save yourself a trip to the pharmacy with these natural allergy-busters:
1) QUERCETIN: Known to inhibit mast cells from releasing pro-inflammatory compounds that cause allergy symptoms. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.
2) BROMELAIN: A proteolytic enzyme extracted from pineapple, it stops the allergic cascade and reduces swelling and edema of tissue. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.
3) URTICA DIOICA : Randomized, double-blind studies have shown it to be as effective as standard allergy medications. Dosage: 200 mg 3 times daily.
4) NAC : In Europe, its a prescription medicine, used for reducing congestion and for thinning tenacious mucus. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.
5) OMEGA-3 FISH OIL: EPA offers anti-inflammatory protection. Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times daily.
6) VITAMIN C: Natures own antihistamine. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.
7) VITAMIN D: Emerging research suggests a protective role of vitamin D against asthma, eczema, and other allergic conditions.
8) BUTTERBUR : Also a popular migraine remedy, good research supports its anti-leukotriene effects. European studies have shown it to be as effective as the popular allergy drug Zyrtec. Dosage: 50 mg 3 times daily.
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Using Natural Allergy Remedies: Plan
Most people dont think about their allergies until their symptoms flare up. But if youve already got a drippy nose and watery eyes before you reach for a bottle, it may be too late.
Once an allergic reaction starts, its very hard to stop – either with supplements or medications, Leopold tells WebMD. Thats why its always important to focus on prevention.
Whether youre using an allergy supplement or a drug, you should plan ahead. Start taking a natural allergy remedy a few weeks before ragweed season starts or before your visit to the aunt with six cats. That way, you can potentially prevent the allergic reaction from happening at all.
Leopold says that while some people are able to control their allergies with supplements alone, others cant. Even if it cant do the whole job, however, an allergy supplement may still be a good addition to your drug treatment.
By adding on a supplement like quercetin or butterbur, you might be able to take a lower dose of the prescription drug while getting the same benefits, says Leopold. And by keeping the medication at a lower level, you decrease the side effects.
Natural Remedies For Allergies
Resolving seasonal allergies may just be a matter of finding and addressing the root cause. Its about getting a deeper level of understanding of why youre having an allergic response and then taking steps to decrease or reverse symptoms, explains Dr. Young.
But if youre not sure of the cause be it tree pollen, ragweed, mold or dust, etc. what can you do to tamp down the sniffling, sneezing and wheezing that come when seasonal allergy triggers spike? Here are eight ideas you can try.
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Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil By Natural Dog Company
What we love: Made in the USA, Natural Dog Companys natural oil contains only pure salmon oil no additives or preservatives to worry about. The omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids naturally found in the oil work to support your dogs overall health.
What customers say: While there are only 447 reviewers on Amazon at this time of writing, nearly 80 percent of them give the oil perfect five-stars. Many reviewers noticed a significant improvement in their dogs coat. Several individuals did note leaking pumps and caps.
Has this product ever been recalled? If so, why? No.
Ingredients: Wild Alaskan salmon oil.
by Sam Field
Vitamin A For Allergies
Vitamin A improves many different functions in the body. It helps skin, hair, growth, vision, and immune function. It is critical for helping the immune system function. Many people in developed countries dont have problems with being truly deficient in vitamin A. But they may not have optimal amounts.
If you struggle with allergies and are sick frequently increasing the amount of vitamin A you get could help. It is fat-soluble and stored in the body. It is possible to get too much. Avoid taking high amounts in supplement form. Instead, add in more foods with vitamin A.
This article has more information on vitamin A. It also has a list of foods high in vitamin A.
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What Can I Give My Dog For Allergies Every Day
You can give your dog multivitamin supplements, in addition to a nutritionally rich and balanced diet to combat allergies and decrease the harmful effects of common allergens.
Daily vitamins maintain the dogs skin health, boost growth, and battle germs in their mouth that cause foul breath. Also, they improve overall health and immunity to combat allergies.
If the dog allergy supplement is not enough, talk to your vet about using a mainstream antihistamine such as Benadryl. There are many medical options, so it may take some time to find what works best for your dogs needs. Also, you can use a dog allergy supplement in conjunction with mainstream meds and other approaches.
Supplements And Allergy Treatment
If you go to a store to purchase a supplement, you dont exactly know what youre getting, says Julie McNairn, MD, an allergist/immunologist in Cincinnati, Ohio, who cautions her patients that supplements dont always contain what the label states. Herbs, vitamins, and other substances that have been promoted for the treatment of allergies and related conditions, ranging from the common cold to asthma, include:
Butterbur
Bromelain, enzymes extracted from the pineapple and related plants
Quercetin
Thymomodulin, an extract made from the thymus glands of calves
Vitamin D
Flavenoids
Gamma-tocopherol, the primary form of dietary vitamin E
Ganoderma tsugae, a mushroom that grows on hemlock trees
NCCAM, an arm of the National Institutes of Health, is investigating the effectiveness of such alternative forms of allergy treatment as vitamins and other supplements. As of now, there is insufficient evidence to warrant recommending a supplement to treat an allergy. While it is not clear whether probiotics are helpful in treating an allergy, says Dr. Mcnairn, there is probably no harm in taking them.
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Which Vitamins Help Sinus & Allergies
Some vitamins may help boost the immune system and reduce the severity of sinus problems and allergies. Sinusitis is the swelling of the nasal sinuses and typically occurs from a cold or infection, says the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Allergies can also cause sinus problems because of the swelling that occurs when exposed to allergens. Vitamins can’t cure or completely prevent allergies or sinus problems, and talking to a health care professional about vitamin supplements can provide more information about which vitamins are best for your immune system.
Does B12 Help With Allergies
One of the reasons Vitamin B12 is associated with helping fight off those pesky allergy symptoms is because when we are suffering from allergies our bodies become stressed. When we are stressed, our stored levels of B12 become quickly drained.
Stress causes us to become more susceptible to contracting colds and having allergic reactions. It is therefore suggested that adequate levels of B12, whether through food such as eggs and fortified cereals or supplements may aid in fighting off allergies through a strong immune system.
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Ask The Expert: Nutrition And Food Allergies Taking Supplements To Help Avoid Nutritional Deficiencies
Linda Kirste, RD
Linda Kirste is a Registered Dietitian. She works at HealthLinkBC where she operates the Allergy Nutrition Service a tele-practice-based service that provides nutrition education, as well as counselling and follow-up care for residents of British Columbia with food allergies.
This month, Linda provides her insight about whether its advisable for children and youth living with food allergies to take supplements to help avoid nutritional deficiencies. We hope you find this article from Linda interesting and informative!
Whether a child whose diet is restricted due to food allergy should take a vitamin or mineral supplement depends on a few factors. These include the overall quality of their diet and whether their intake of individual nutrients reach recommended levels.
While necessary food restrictions can have a big impact on food choices, a childs usual food choices and eating patterns can have an even larger impact on their nutrient intakes.
The child that eats a wide range of healthy family foods, including nutritionally equivalent alternatives to substitute for their food allergens, may not need a vitamin-mineral supplement. When a childs diet is adequate and balanced, dietary supplements may be more of a burden to take than a useful top-up to nutrient intakes.
As an example, children with milk allergy may benefit from a supplement, but not necessarily a calcium supplement.
Thanks Linda for your expertise!
Risks Of Using Dog Allergy Supplements
Dog kibble is generally enough for your dogs well-balanced diet, as its optimized to give your dog all the protein and vitamins they need. Pet parents should always read the label of a supplement before serving it to ensure that its a quality product and to check if it includes any ingredients your dog is allergic to.
Unfortunately, dogs can also overdose on vitamins. Signs of vitamin poisoning can vary, but symptoms generally include vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. If your dog is showing signs of vitamin poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately and bring any vitamins or supplements theyve ingested to the appointment.
Never give your dog human allergy supplements without asking your vet, as they may have ingredients that hurt your dog.
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Natural Supplements And Other Remedies For Seasonal Allergies
Throughout winter, we dream of spring, when we can head outdoors to hike or bike, fire up the grill, and enjoy farmers markets and local festivals.
For more than 24 million people in the U.S. with seasonal allergies, however, the pleasures of warm weather come at a cost: itchy eyes, runny noses, nasal congestion, sneezing and other varieties of respiratory misery.
And, while beautiful autumn weather is always welcome, seasonal allergy symptoms can extend well into November in warmer regions.
Potential Dangers Of Vitamin C
Too much of anything is never good, no matter how beneficial it can be. Vitamin C has so many wonderful health benefits, but its important to be cautious. Some dangers of ingesting too much vitamin C are diarrhea, nausea, cramps, heartburn, and vomiting. If possible, only add supplements to your diet under the supervision of a physician if not, take special care to follow the recommended dosage on the packaging.
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