• Supplement with Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). People with severe allergies in almost all cases have low levels of CoQ10. Supplementing with CoQ10 may prove helpful for those with severe allergies. CoQ10 has also been shown to reduce yeast overgrowth.
• Manage your symptoms with herbs. Garlic, goldenseal, goldenrod, and stinging nettle have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that may be useful for anyone suffering from allergies.
• Increase your intake of vital minerals like magnesium. Magnesium is needed in the body to reduce histamine levels, and can greatly help the allergy sufferer.
• Selenium and zinc are also helpful for stimulating the immune response.
• Vitamin C is useful to combat allergy symptoms because it is considered a natural antihistamine. Eat foods rich in vitamin C, like grapefruit, oranges, and tangerines. Studies that have shown that high levels of vitamin C help clear congestion.
• Supplement with vitamins. Betacarotene, pantothenic acid (a B vitamin), and vitamin E are other powerful antioxidants that can eliminate free radicals and boost the immune system for allergy relief.
• Add chili peppers, ginger, garlic, and/or horseradish to your daily recipes. These foods contain agents that break up mucus and relieve congestion.
• Eat pineapple. It contains bromelain, which helps reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
• Choose high-quality, organic, hormone- and antibiotic-free “grass-fed” meats.
• Essential fatty acids reduce inflammation associated with the allergic response. Increase your essential fatty acids by selecting high-quality wild-caught salmon, miminal-mercury albacore tuna, fish oil, avocados, and sprouted walnuts.
• Eat raw, organic vegetables.
• Add high-quality fiber to your diet, such as ground flax seed.
• Add healthy saturated fats to your diet, such as organic virgin coconut oil.
• Choose sprouted, whole-grain products, but watch for gluten if you have gluten intolerance.
• Add nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods, such as sprouted nuts and seeds, to your diet (unless you're allergies to nuts).
• Drink purified water throughout the day.

Foods to AVOID include:

• Common allergy-causing foods such as dairy products (lactose), eggs, wheat, rye, barley (gluten), corn, peanuts, and soy (to name a few). Be careful of food products created in manufacturing plants that also process peanuts, nuts, soybeans, and milk. The FDA now requires allergy warnings on all food products and supplements. 
• All simple or refined carbohydrates (white flour, white rice, white bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, crackers, processed snack foods, etc.) – Read more about good cards and bad carbs.
• All foods containing refined sugar or artificial sugar-substitutes such as aspartame, Splenda^®, etc. Choose a natural sweetener like Xylosweet instead.
• Alcoholic beverages in excess, since they hinder the functioning of the immune and digestive systems
• Limited cheese and wine
• Fungi such as mushrooms
• Pickled foods
• Sweetened fruit juices that spike blood sugar levels too rapidly
• Fruit juices, since they spike blood sugar levels too rapidly
• Carbonated soft drinks that cause blood pH levels to become acidic
• Bottom crawlers such as oysters, clams, and lobster that may contain toxic levels of mercury
• Deep-sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, and swordfish that may contain toxic levels of mercury. Choose minimal-mercury albacore tuna instead.
• Farm-raised fish that contain PCBs and not enough omega-3 essential fatty acids, due to their land-based diets. Choose wild-caught salmon instead.
• Sodium nitrite found in processed foods such as hot dogs, lunch meats, and bacon
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in many foods as a flavor enhancer
• Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils found in many processed foods, deep-fried foods, fast foods, and junk food – Read more about good fats and bad fats.
• Limited caffeine intake from sodas, energy drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate. While moderate amounts of caffeine may be beneficial, excessive consumption of caffeine may aggravate the inflammatory response.

 Other helpful tips for allergy sufferers:

• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke – smoke irritates nasal membranes.
• Use a humidifier or Xlear nasal spray to keep the sinuses moist.
• Identify unknown allergies and effectively treat fungal infections such as Candida.
• Avoid feather, old, and/or moldy pillows, which frequently are the cause of allergies.
• Heavy metal toxicity can produce vague symptoms that sometimes are mistaken for other chronic conditions, including allergies. Discuss heavy metal toxicity with your healthcare professional before receiving any diagnosis or treatment for a serious chronic condition. Read more about heavy metal toxicity.
• If you have “silver” dental fillings, get an evaluation from a mercury-free dentist who specializes in the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings. Find a mercury-free dentist in your area now!

In order to keep your allergies at bay, you’ll have to do some house cleanup. Here are some household tips for reducing allergens in your environment.

• Make a decision about your pets. If you have a dog, bird, or a cat, and you find yourself sneezing excessively in your pet’s presence, then you may need to find a new home for your beloved companion(s). If you feel you can tolerate your symptoms, then consider keeping your pets out of your bedroom. You can also groom your pets and bathe them more frequently to reduce the amount of dander and pet hair in your home environment.
• Switch from carpets to hard floors. Carpets are allergen magnets; they retain allergens such as pet hair, pet danger, and dust mites, thereby increasing the allergy potential. Wherever possible, think about switching to wood floors or tiles throughout your home.
• Eliminate heavy drapes in your home. Replace drapes with window coverings that can be dusted and cleaned frequently to prevent dust accumulation.
• Contract a housekeeping service to do monthly deep cleaning. It’s important to eliminate dust throughout your home; wash bed sheets and pillows frequently; and maintain a clean home free of bugs like cockroaches. Clean behind furniture and appliances, and change air conditioning and heating filters frequently to help reduce allergies.
• Buy high-quality air filters. Indoor air can be more toxic than outdoor air. Make sure your indoor air environment is healthy by installing air filters throughout your home.
• Keep windows closed during peak pollen season. Also, try alternative landscaping instead of covering your yards with grass (a major source of allergies). Try rock gardens, flower beds, and cemented patios to reduce the grass around your home.
• Have your home tested for mold. Mold can easily creep behind drywall and bathroom tiles. Your house may look mold-free, but it may actually contain plenty of hidden mold that is causing you unnecessary sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. Have a professional come in and test your house for mold.

1. Allergies Overview of allergies
2. Common symptoms of allergies
3. Common causes of allergies
4. Help me choose a natural and alternative treatment for allergies
5. Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of allergies
6. Cited Sources and Additional Reading for allergies

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