As the seasons change, those with allergies know their symptoms will kick into overdrive. The sneezing and congestion will no doubt impair some people to the point of wanting to stay in bed. While there are over-the-counter and prescription medications to treat allergies, scientists believe folic acid may also help.
More folic acid, fewer symptoms
Researchers at Johns Hopkins looked at the medical records of 8,000 people ranging in age from 2 to 85 and found those that had a higher level of folic acid in their body had fewer allergy and asthma symptoms.
Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is also essential for red blood cell health and long known to reduce the risk of spinal birth defects. It is found naturally in our blood, but often times more is needed from external sources like cereal to provide maximum benefits.
“Our findings are a clear indication that folic acid may indeed help regulate immune response to allergens, and may reduce allergy and asthma symptoms,” says lead investigator Elizabeth Matsui, M.D., M.H.S., pediatric allergist at Johns Hopkins Children’s. “But we still need to figure out the exact mechanism behind it, and to do so we need studies that follow people receiving treatment with folic acid, before we even consider supplementation with folic acid to treat or prevent allergies and asthma.”
Allergies and asthma bother millions
Asthma affects more than 7 percent of adults and children in the United States, and is the most common chronic condition among children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental allergies are estimated to affect 25 million Americans, according to the CDC.
Another answer
There are medications that can curb allergy symptoms. Flonase and Clarinex, two FDA approved allergy medications, are available through eDrugstore.com’s online pharmacy.
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