Here in the northeastern United States where Dr. Shirley and I live, spring is just about to begin. The snow is melting and the air is getting warmer, but even though we’re excited to wear short sleeves and spend lots of time outside again, the transition from winter to spring also means it’s allergy season!

If you’re one of the many individuals who suffer from allergy symptoms, whether this time of the year or any other time of the year, think twice before you reach for antihistamine medicine. Instead of blocking normal body functions with antihistamines, there may be a way to relieve those symptoms and keep your body functioning properly at the same time!

What Are Histamines?

Before we can target those unpleasant allergy symptoms, we need to understand why we experience them in the first place. The truth is, even though the constant sneezing and teary eyes drive us crazy, they are actually an important function of our immune system. 

When you come into contact with something that your body is allergic to, such as the tree pollen released into the air during spring, it triggers an immune response. As explained by WebMD, chemicals called histamines “start the process that hustles those allergens out of your body or off your skin.”[1] Histamines do this by acting as communicators between different parts of the body; when they recognize a trigger (the allergen,) they signal the body to take action (the allergic reaction.) 

This explains why pollen, for example, makes people sneeze so much. When pollen (the allergen) gets into a person’s nasal passage, histamines tell the body to take action against the allergen through sneezing. Although very unflattering, the sneezing has a specific purpose – to get the pollen OUT!

But this histamine response is not exclusive to seasonal allergies. Histamines are also responsible for the body’s response to other allergens, such as dust, animal dander, mold, certain drugs and chemicals, and of course, specific types of food like peanuts, dairy, or soy.[1] This means that you can experience a histamine response at any point due to coming into contact with any number or types of substances that you happen to be allergic to. 

While histamines are part of a normal immune response and help our body deal with allergens, they can often take their job a little too seriously and cause an overreaction, the symptoms of which can be overpowering and make daily life very difficult. “Your body's intention -- to keep you safe -- is good,” explains WebMD, “But its overreaction gives you those all-too-familiar allergy symptoms, which you then try to stop with an antihistamine”[1]

The symptoms of an overreactive histamine response can be just as varied as the allergens. You are likely most familiar with the runny nose, teary eyes, and frequent sneezing that are associated with seasonal allergies. These symptoms typically go away after a period of time, such as when heightened pollen seasons end. But as we discussed earlier, allergens come in many different shapes and forms, and some of them could be triggering a histamine response on a daily basis!

Imagine that you have an allergy to dust or the dander from your family pet. This means that your body, both inside and out, is being exposed to allergens every single day, which could be causing allergy symptoms all year long![2] With the body in a constant state of reactivity, and therefore stress, symptoms could begin to worsen beyond the most common symptoms. You could begin to experience frequent or even chronic symptoms such as pain, fatigue, digestion issues, nausea or vomiting, hormone and menstrual issues, anxiety, and even cardiovascular issues.

So, if you struggle with frequent allergy symptoms, or suspect that you may be suffering from chronic symptoms of daily allergen exposure, it’s important to take steps to relieve both the stress on your body and the symptoms you are experiencing. 

Identify Your Allergens & Limit Your Exposure

Start by figuring out what allergens are causing your body’s reaction. If your symptoms act up during heightened pollen seasons, you are probably just dealing with seasonal / environmental allergies. But if you have more erratic symptoms, or long-term symptoms (especially symptoms that worsen when you spend more time in your home,) you may be allergic to something inside your house, such as pet dander or dust.[2] 

Sometimes it isn’t this easy to identify an allergy, and it may be necessary to see your doctor for help. In this case, the Mayo Clinic suggests keeping track of your symptoms in a diary to make this process easier for both you and your doctor: 

“When trying to identify what causes or worsens your allergic symptoms, track your activities and what you eat, when symptoms occur and what seems to help. This may help you and your doctor identify triggers.”[3]

After identifying your allergies, the first step in relieving your symptoms is limiting your exposure to your triggers as much as possible:

“Even if you're treating your allergy symptoms, try to avoid triggers. If, for instance, you're allergic to pollen, stay inside with windows and doors closed when pollen is high. If you're allergic to dust mites, dust and vacuum and wash bedding often.”[3]

If you believe your allergens are inside your home, consider focusing most of your cleaning efforts on your bedroom and keeping that room as allergy-proof as possible. “You spend more time in that one room than anywhere else,” writes WebMD, “Clean up clutter. Keep your pets out. Get rid of drapes and area rugs that catch dust. If those changes seem to help after a few weeks, take similar steps in other rooms.”[2]

In many cases, however, limiting exposure is not enough to relieve those pesky allergy symptoms. This is when we often find ourselves reaching for those convenient, over-the-counter antihistamines. But as the prefix “anti” in antihistamine suggests, antihistamines work against the natural function of histamines in our bodies[4] and can actually prevent different systems in our bodies from working properly!

What Antihistamines Do & Why We Should Be Cautious About Using Them Often

Because our body’s natural response to allergens can cause a variety of symptoms that are often unpleasant and even life-altering, antihistamine medications have been developed to prevent histamines from overdoing their job.[5] While these medications may sound great, and they may make you feel great too, there are possible negative side effects of antihistamines that you should be aware of before using them.

In addition to their important role in healthy immune function, histamines also play an important role “in a number of different bodily processes.”[4] The responsibilities of histamines in the body include the production of stomach acid needed for healthy digestion, as well as acting as a neurotransmitter in the brain, keeping our bodies awake.[6] So, when we take antihistamines – medications that reduce or block the natural production and effects of histamines – these functions in our bodies can get thrown off, leading to excessive tiredness, upset stomach, and of course, a weakened immune system. 

Just like any medication, antihistamines also come with other potential side effects. According to WebMD, these symptoms can include “dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, restlessness or moodiness (in some children,) trouble peeing or not being able to pee, blurred vision, [and] confusion.”[5]

Antihistamines are sometimes necessary for temporary relief, especially from severe allergic reactions.[3] If you experience severe allergy symptoms, especially life-threatening symptoms, consult your doctor right away as you may need prescription medication. But in the case of mild allergies, whether they be temporary or chronic, there just might be something that could potentially help relieve allergy symptoms and continue supporting the natural production and function of histamines AT THE SAME TIME!

Antronex®: Immune Support + Natural Relief from Allergy Symptoms!

Dr. Shirley and I have been recommending Standard Process® supplements to our chiropractic and nutritional clients, as well as taking them ourselves, for decades. Standard Process® produces whole-food supplements that holistically target nutritional deficiencies and other issues. Antronex® is one of our personal favorite Standard Process® products, and our family uses it frequently to promote overall health and a strong immune system.

Antronex® contains a compound called yakitron, which is “a bovine liver fat extract discovered by Japanese researchers that is used to support the body's normal detoxification mechanisms.”[7] Utilizing yakitron, Antronex® improves liver filtration of waste, toxins, and naturally-produced histamines, thereby assisting the body with the removal of allergens without actually inhibiting the natural production of histamines. In other words, Antronex® allows your body to naturally deal with allergens much more efficiently, helping relieve those excessive allergic reaction symptoms. 

So, if you experience mild allergy symptoms regularly, and want to relieve those symptoms naturally instead of by taking antihistamines that could have negative side effects, ask your healthcare practitioner if Antronex® could be for you!

If you are interested in improving your health naturally, please contact us for a virtual or in-person consultation by sending us an email at detox@detoxwiththedocs.com. 

Key Takeaways

Histamines are an important part of the body’s natural immune response to allergens, but sometimes they cause an overreaction, leading to any number of unpleasant symptoms, from a runny nose to an upset stomach. While they provide quick relief, antihistamines may not always be the best option, as they tend to over-regulate your body’s natural protective mechanisms.

Antronex®, a whole-food supplement from Standard Process® which utilizes a natural, detoxifying compound called yakitron, could provide natural relief from allergy symptoms by simultaneously promoting efficient liver function and helping the liver to quickly eliminate the potential allergen, strengthening the body’s immune system.