For many, the warm summer months are for vacations, camping, or just enjoying the breeze from an open window. For others, however, this time of year fills them with dread. That’s because, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, roughly 15% of Americans suffer from ragweed allergies. And if you’re one of these people, you’ve probably tried everything to relieve your symptoms.
Luckily, some have found relief from the itching and sneezing by supplementing with beta-glucan. This soluble fiber found in oats, barley, and even mushrooms is making headlines for its immune-boosting properties. But could it also help relieve symptoms of ragweed allergies?
Yes! However, it all depends on the beta-glucan source (Psst! Baker’s Yeast is the ultimate source of immune-boosting beta-glucan!). Read on and discover how one daily capsule could help relieve some of your ragweed allergy symptoms.
What Are Ragweed Allergies?
There are over fifteen different species of ragweed, but unfortunately, they all pose problems for those with ragweed allergies. These plants (which include sage, mugwort, burweed marsh elder, eupatorium, etc.) are particularly hardy. All across the U.S., these plants grow in fields or even just tiny cracks in the sidewalk.
Ragweed plants produce fine pollen in late summer or early fall that causes “hay fever” symptoms for those with sensitivities. That means eye irritation, headaches, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and an itchy throat.
In addition, those with asthma may experience wheezing and coughing. The pollen from these plants is normally a nuisance for six to ten weeks, but climate change is increasing both the length of ragweed season and the severity of allergies.
Natural Ways to Relieve Ragweed Allergy Symptoms
If ragweed allergies are making you miserable, here are a few natural ways to reduce symptoms:
- Monitor the pollen count for your area. The National Allergy Bureau is a great place to start. Be aware, however, that this fine pollen can travel over 100 miles on windy days.
- Stay indoors when your local pollen count is high.
- Install a Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly Air Filter in your air conditioner. This will help keep pollen from entering your home.
- Try to run errands before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. Pollen counts peak in the middle of the day, so midday hours will promote more symptoms.
- Try to avoid tracking pollen into your home. That means taking your shoes off when you get home, having separate sleep clothes that don’t get worn outside, and showering before bed.
During the height of ragweed season, you could also try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or antihistamine medications. If your symptoms are mild, adopting some of these strategies will help make your allergies more manageable. If your ragweed allergies are severe, however, it might be time to look into a high-quality beta-glucan supplement.
What is Beta-Glucan?
If you’re a fan of foods like oats, shiitake mushrooms, or barley, you’re already getting a bit of beta-glucan. This soluble fiber is found in a variety of plants, but also in bacteria, yeasts, and fungi (don’t worry, we’ll explain the whole Baker’s Yeast thing in just a second).
When you eat foods with soluble fiber like beta-glucan, they form a gel-like substance in your intestines. This slows digestion and keeps you feeling full for longer. That’s why so many nutritionists recommend oatmeal for breakfast. While beta-glucan is hanging out in your digestive tract, however, it’s doing more than just curbing your pre-lunch cravings.
On top of slowing digestion, beta-glucan also helps absorb and eliminate cholesterol particles, slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream, and stimulates the immune cells in your gut. If that last one has you scratching your head, you’re not alone.
Believe it or not, but a huge portion of your immune system depends on your gut-brain axis. And since your immune system dictates the majority of your allergic responses, that means beta-glucan can influence allergies as well.
How to Use Beta-Glucan for Ragweed Allergies
Before attempting to eat your weight in oatmeal for allergy relief, there are one or two other items you should consider.
The food sources we mentioned earlier DO have beta-glucan in them. Unfortunately, if you want to stimulate your immune system enough to reduce allergy symptoms, you’ll want beta-glucan with a different molecular chain. Beta-Glucan 1, 3/1, 6-D, found in baker’s yeast, has more powerful immune modulation properties than the beta-glucan found in foods like barley and oats.
If you’re hoping to get this type of beta-glucan from your diet, however, you might want to think again. Eating live baker’s yeast can cause digestive discomfort (gas) and cooking baker’s yeast renders it inactive. That means the easiest way to relieve ragweed allergies with beta-glucan is with a high-quality nutrition supplement.
How Does Beta-Glucan Help Relieve Ragweed Allergies?
It all comes back to the immune system. Think of your immune system like your body’s security department. When you experience an injury or if you’re exposed to new bacteria, toxins, etc., your immune system determines what type of response is needed. For example, the swelling you experience after spraining an ankle is from the extra fluid and white blood cells your immune system sent to assist in healing.
When it comes to allergies, your immune system does that same threat assessment. First, you get exposed to some type of foreign substance like pet dander or pollen. Then, your immune system analyzes the substance and reacts accordingly. The problem is that everyone’s immune system is a bit different. That’s why some people don’t experience any ragweed allergies, while others have severe congestion, a runny nose, and watery eyes.
Basically, those with ragweed allergies have particularly vigilant immune systems. Luckily, beta-glucan can help. In one double-blind study, a beta-glucan supplement helped a group of participants with ragweed sensitivities improve their allergy symptoms, overall physical health, and even their “emotional well-being” after four weeks.
A separate study that looked at allergic rhinitis symptoms (nasal inflammation caused by allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, etc.) showed that supplementing with beta-glucan increased the cytokines that suppress these types of allergic responses. While more research is underway, the idea is that beta-glucan helps treat and/or prevent allergies by reducing the antibodies that keep your immune system on such high alert.
Try Glucan85Plus For Allergy Relief Today
Supplements aren’t all created equal, and your immune system can tell the difference. That’s why we worked so hard to create an easy-to-swallow capsule with maximum bioavailability.
Our Glucan85Plus has 500 mg of Beta-Glucan 1, 3/1, 6-D to give your immune system a boost and help relieve allergy symptoms. Plus, we infused it with other immune-boosting goodies like Vitamin C and D3, Zinc, Organic Echinacea, and Organic Elderberry.
Try Glucan85Plus today and break free from the allergy fog! If you have questions about our products and how you might benefit from them, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
