Vitamin C has long been celebrated as a cornerstone of holistic health and wellness practices. Abundantly present in fruits and vegetables, vitamin C serves many benefits, including:
- Facilitating the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and bone collagen
- Aiding in the body’s healing processes
- Safeguarding against the detrimental effects of free radicals, implicated in conditions like cancer and heart disease
- Enhancing iron absorption within the body
One less discussed benefit of vitamin C is its potential to positively impact your allergy symptoms. Let’s delve into this vitamin’s influence on allergies and strategies for ensuring adequate intake.
The Link Between Vitamin C and Allergies
One 2018 trial involving 71 allergy patients found that the introduction of intravenous vitamin C demonstrated a capacity to alleviate allergy-related symptoms.
Subsequently, a comprehensive review conducted in 2023 examined multiple studies investigating the correlation between vitamin C and respiratory disorders. These respiratory disorders encompassed asthma, lung cancer, lung fibrosis and allergic and immunologic conditions.
The 2023 findings highlighted vitamin C’s potential to mitigate allergy symptoms owing to its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant attributes. This review also underscored the promising therapeutic prospects of vitamin C across multiple respiratory ailments, necessitating further exploration through clinical trials.
Where To Find Vitamin C
For adults aged 19 years and above, the recommended daily vitamin C intake is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. Your body cannot make its own vitamin C. Because of this, you must get your daily dose of vitamin C from foods and provider-approved vitamins.
A few food sources of vitamin C include oranges, bell peppers, kiwis, strawberries, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables and white potatoes. Most people eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables will not need supplements. However, their provider may recommend juices from the Fruitbox, extra veggies or vitamin C pills for those struggling to meet their daily vitamin C quota.
While vitamin C may contribute to better symptom management by reducing inflammation, it’s crucial to underscore that it doesn’t substitute professional allergy management. Immunotherapy, prescribed medications and other allergy management methods are pivotal in effectively controlling allergies and preventing severe reactions. To schedule a consultation with one of our allergy specialists, contact Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery today.
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