Every spring millions of Americans brace for allergy season – that sneeezy, itchy, sleepy time of year when the pollen count may affect your health and happiness.

In addition to pollen, allergies to foods, dust mites, and pet danders, are underlying problems that make allergy season even worse. While many folks have their favorite treatments to cope with allergies, few look to boosting their immune system for relief.

First let’s take a deeper look at the allergic response. Most folks have heard of T-cells – big players in every immune system that protect your body against foreign invaders. T-cells coordinate your immune system’s strategy to attack and remove pesky invaders.

Unfortunately, allergens aren’t truly dangerous invaders. In fact, an allergy is technically a malfunction of your immune system, meaning a excessive reaction to a harmless substance. When an allergen triggers your immune system, your cells release histamine and serotonin, resulting in itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and  sneezing.

Over time, chronic allergies can lead to greater health challenges. Clinical studies have linked unresolved allergies with arthritis, nervous system dysfunction, gastrointestinal upsets, and even mental illness.

Many people aren’t aware they have allergies, and symptoms like persistent sinusitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and arthritic pains are often symptoms of underlying allergies.  

Who gets which allergies has yet to be determined, although respiratory allergies in particular are often triggered by milk, wheat, and pollens. I know, I know, you ice cream junkies and bakery fans will pretend you didn't just read that. ^..^

Fast fact: Addictions and allergies often walk hand in hand. This means if you find yourself with uncontrollable cravings for breads, it's a likely possibility you could be slightly, or heavily, allergic to gluten and so on.

Interestingly, emotional stress has been shown to cause  allergies – no surprise given stress can so easily compromise your poor immune system.

Normally, with a healthy immune system, an allergen is filtered by the mucus membranes to the sinuses, down the throat, into the digestive system, and disposed of eliminated. The tonsils, adenoids, and lymphatic system also neutralize allergens.

Unfortunately, with chronic stress, disease, or poor nutrition, your immune system becomes taxed, your cells become vulnerable, and your adrenal system begins working overtime to deal with stress and disease leaving little energy to deal with these pesky allergens.

Fear not fair members, there are ways to support your immune system handle allergens more effectively.

Here are a few simple ways to help your immune system:

• Eat lots of high fiber foods and drink plenty of water to keep flushing allergens out of your system

• Avoid junk food, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, refined sugar, excess salt, and white flour

• If particularly sensitive, use a face mask while doing household chores

• Use an air purifier and change your furnace filters often, especially if you have pets

• Get rid of old rugs, pillows, and stuffed animals 

• Wash your sheets and towels weekly in hot water to kill dust mites

Here are some Co-op Supplements that can help your immune system cope with everyday allergens:

Alfalfa (Greens Plus, Soothing Greens): Alfalfa helps cleanse your body and fight infection. Alfalfa also provides minerals to combat allergies and helps assimilate important nutrients, too.

Slippery Elm (Soothing Greens): Slippery Elm acts as a buffer against irritations and inflammations of mucous membranes. Slippery Elm also boosts adrenal function and helps eliminate mucous from the respiratory system.

Garlic (Garlic & Cayenne): Garlic stimulates your lymphatic system, and provides immune-helpers selenium and sulphur.

Quercetin / Red Raspberry (Constant Health): Quercetin helps protect and stabilize cell membranes so they're less reactive to allergens. Quercetin also helps moderate the release of histamine. In addition to boosting digestion, red raspberry provides high vitamin and mineral content helpful to allergy sufferers. 

Vitamin C (Heart Plus, Vitamin C): Natural antihistamines, vitamin C helps maintain your cells' integrity, which can be weakened by allergens. Weakened, leaky cells ooze unnecessary histamine that aggravate allergic reactions.

Magnesium: Magnesium supports your nervous system and strengthens your hard-working adrenals.

Vitamins A & E (Multi-Vites, Vitamin E): Vitamins A & E both defend your cell membranes from free radical damage. Free radical damage can open your cells up for allergen assault, so strong cell membranes are a must for any allergy defender.

Vitamin B-Complex ( B-100 Plus): B Vitamins support your adrenals and nervous system. Pantothenic acid in particular helps product natural cortisol to mediate the inflammation inherent to the allergic response.

Evening Primrose Oil: Evening Primrose Oil helps produce adrenal hormones and stimulate the immune system.