Antioxidants
are critical to our health for a number of reasons. One is that they directly
reduce the risk of oxidative radicals. And oxidative radicals are the cause of
many degenerative diseases.
But
now we find that antioxidants also play an important role in immunity.
Especially among children. Research from Sweden has found that children who
consume more antioxidants have a reduced incidence of allergies.
Antioxidants
vs. Allergies
Researchers
from Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute teamed up with scientists from Harvard
Medical School to study the relationship between antioxidants and allergies.
The researchers examined the diets and health of 2,359 Swedish children over an
eight-year period.
The
children were first examined and tested at the age of 8 years old. Their diets
were examined for the previous 12 months, and their IgE antibodies were tested.
IgE antibodies indicate a person’s allergic sensitivities.
Then
the children were tested again at age 16. The children were again examined and
questioned for the prevalence of allergies, asthma and rhinitis.
The
scientists divided the children into three groups according to their dietary
antioxidant intake. Allergies among the highest antioxidant group were compared
to allergies among the lowest antioxidant group.
The
researchers found that children who ate more antioxidants had more than a
quarter less incidence of allergies. And those who had more antioxidants in
their diets had a 43 percent reduced incidence of allergic asthma by age 16.
“Higher total
antioxidant capacity of the diet in early school age may decrease the risk of
developing sensitization to inhalant allergens from childhood to adolescence.
These findings indicate that implementing an antioxidant-rich diet in childhood
may contribute to the prevention of allergic disease.”
During
an early phase of this research, the researchers found children who
consumed higher levels of beta-carotene had a third less incidence of allergic
rhinitis (hay fever).
They
also found that higher magnesium consumption resulted in more than a third less
incidence in asthma.
Other
studies confirm this effect
This
is not the first study linking antioxidant consumption with allergies among
children. Research from Italy’s University of Verona found that higher
consumption of fruits and vegetables among pregnant mothers – and their
children during infancy – were related to significantly reduced incidence of
wheezing and asthma.
They
found that foods containing higher levels of vitamin C and selenium reduced
risk of wheezing, and serum levels of these were also associated with less
wheezing. The research also indicated that a lack of zinc and carotenoids (such
as beta-carotene) in mothers increased the risk of asthma and allergies in
their children.
Another
study from Sweden studied multivitamins and children at or under four years
old. Multivitamins reduced the incidence of allergies by nearly 40%. This study
followed 2,423 Swedish children, and also measured their IgE levels to specific
allergens. Interestingly, however, this study showed little relationship
between multivitamin use among 8-year-olds and current allergy conditions.
Why
do antioxidants reduce allergies?
Antioxidants
perform a number of important tasks in the body. These include reducing the
immune load on the body. How is that? By neutralizing oxidative radicals and
oxidative stress, antioxidants allow the immune system to go after more
important invaders. When the immune system is freed up, it can break down
potential allergens before the body becomes sensitized.
Antioxidants
also can directly neutralize some allergens. Especially when those allergens
have oxidative potential. Antioxidants are produced by plants to directly
perform many functions of immunity. This includes reducing infective organisms
such as fungi and bacteria.
In
younger children, research has found that antioxidant intake reduces the risk
of wheezing. Wheezing in younger kids is linked to more allergies later on. The
connection is likely the immune system, as described above.
Easy
ways to increase antioxidant intake
The
easiest way to increase antioxidant intake is to simply eat more fruits and
vegetables. These foods provide the highest levels of antioxidants when
compared with other food types. This doesn’t have to be raw fruits and
vegetables. Antioxidants in the form of tomato sauce or squash can be part of
main dishes to maximize antioxidant intake.
However,
some fruits and vegetables contain more antioxidants than others. For example,
Acai fruit, cherries, berries and grapes will typically contain more antioxidants
than say, apples and oranges. Read this for a list of the highest antioxidant
foods, and the healthiest diet known to humans.
Some
of the highest antioxidant levels can come from spices. Spices like basil,
turmeric, black pepper and others contain extremely high levels of
antioxidants. That is, assuming they are dried properly and not over-exposed to
sunlight. (This is why it’s better to keep the spices in a dark cupboard.)
Learn
more natural strategies to combat allergies:
REFERENCES:
Gref A, Rautiainen S, Gruzieva O, Håkansson
N, Kull I, Pershagen G, Wickman M, Wolk A, Melén E, Bergström A. Dietary total antioxidant capacity in early school age and
subsequent allergic disease. Clin Exp Allergy. 2017 Feb 21.
doi: 10.1111/cea.12911.
Rosenlund
H, Magnusson J, Kull I, Håkansson N, Wolk A, Pershagen G, Wickman M, Bergström
A. Antioxidant intake and allergic disease in children. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012
Oct;42(10):1491-500.
Peroni DG, Bonomo B, Casarotto S, Boner AL,
Piacentini GL. How changes in nutrition have influenced the development of
allergic diseases in childhood. Ital J Pediatr. 2012 May 31;38:22.
Marmsjö K, Rosenlund H, Kull I, Håkansson N,
Wickman M, Pershagen G, Bergström A. Use of
multivitamin supplements in relation to allergic disease in 8-y-old children. Am
J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;90(6):1693-8.u
Adams C. Hay Fever and Allergies: Discovering the Real Culprits and Natural
Solutions for Reversing Allergic Rhinitis. Logical Books, 2014.
Source: realnatural
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