Seaweed Supplements: A Natural Solution for Reducing Allergy Symptoms
Almost 20 percent of the Australian population suffers from allergic disease. That number is expected to increase by 70 per cent to 7.7 million by 2050.[1] If you find yourself experiencing symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or itchy skin, you may be one of the millions affected by allergies and looking for a solution.
Understanding allergies and the role of your immune system
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless proteins in the environment, such as dust mites, pollens, pets, insects, and certain foods. While these substances may be benign for most people, those with allergies have an exaggerated immune response that identifies these substances as threats. This lack of immune tolerance to these components leads to a range of symptoms that vary greatly from person to person, from mild to severe, impacting quality of life—some experience a runny nose, sneezing, or a raised rash. In contrast, others may have pain or tenderness around their cheeks or eyes, coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, or even gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and nausea.
So, what happens in your body when you experience allergies? It all comes down to immune cells. When an allergen enters the body, immune cells called mast cells release chemicals, including histamine, to combat the perceived threat. Histamine is responsible for many allergy symptoms, such as itching, swelling, and mucus production. This is why many people reach for antihistamines to relieve their allergy symptoms. Quick-fix medications, such as antihistamines, can provide symptomatic relief. However, targeting the underlying drivers of allergy to improve your immune function can provide long-term health benefits.
Seaweed supplements for sinus and allergic conditions: are they effective?
If you are tired of relying on antihistamines to manage your allergies, it may be worth exploring supplements that improve immune function. Improving these areas may help reduce the severity and frequency of allergy symptoms in the long term.
Brown seaweed supplements are one such ingredient with some persuasive research regarding supporting gut health, modulating the immune system, and reducing the allergic response. Multiple health benefits have been associated with brown seaweeds used in traditional Asian diets. Interestingly, a study of Japanese women showed that a high dietary intake of seaweed, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus was associated with a decreased prevalence of allergic rhinitis.[2]
What does the evidence say about seaweed supplements and improving allergy symptoms?
Published papers have reported that fucoidan, the active constituent in brown seaweeds such as Undaria pinnatifida, may exert a range of beneficial effects on the human immune system, including reducing allergic responses and activating dendritic cells, natural killer cells and T cells.[3] It has been proposed that the mechanism of action for this damping of allergic responses is via the upregulation of galactin-9, a protein integral to regulating cell-to-cell interactions.[4] Additionally, high-purity seaweed supplements have shown an inhibition of reactive oxygen species, known to be essential drivers of inflammation.[5]
Before avoiding everything you are reacting to, why not begin to support your health with fucoidan-rich seaweed supplements to improve your immunity and tolerance to your allergic triggers? This could help you reduce the severity of your allergies and allow you to enjoy day-to-day life without the inconvenience of running eyes and an itchy face.
[1] Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Allergy and Immune Diseases in Australia (AIDA) Report 2013 (https://www.allergy.org.au/images/stories/reports/ASCIA_AIDA_Report_2013.pdf) (accessed November 13, 2023).
[2] Yoshihiro Miyake, Satoshi Sasaki, Yukihiro Ohya, Shoichi Miyamoto, Ichiro Matsunaga, Toshiaki Yoshida, Yoshio Hirota, Hajime Oda, Dietary Intake of Seaweed and Minerals and Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in Japanese Pregnant Females: Baseline Data From the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study, Annals of Epidemiology,
Volume 16, Issue 8, 2006, Pages 614-621, ISSN 1047-2797, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2005.11.010.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1047279705003881) (accessed November 06, 2023).
[3] Iwamoto K, Hiragun T, Takahagi S, Yanase Y, Morioke S, Mihara S, Kameyoshi Y, Hide M. Fucoidan suppresses IgE production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2011 Aug;303(6):425-31. doi: 10.1007/s00403-010-1115-7. Epub 2010 Dec 30. PMID: 21191796
[4] Mizuno M, Sakaguchi K, Sakane I. Oral Administration of Fucoidan Can Exert Anti-Allergic Activity after Allergen Sensitization by Enhancement of Galectin-9 Secretion in Blood. Biomolecules. 2020 Feb 9;10(2):258. doi: 10.3390/biom10020258. PMID: 32050429; PMCID: PMC7072523.
[5] Olsthoorn SEM, Wang X, Tillema B, Vanmierlo T, Kraan S, Leenen PJM, Mulder MT. Brown Seaweed Food Supplementation: Effects on Allergy and Inflammation and Its Consequences. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 29;13(8):2613. doi: 10.3390/nu13082613. PMID: 34444774; PMCID: PMC8398742