Vitamin Supplement Recommendations
***Read The Disclaimer Before Proceeding***
- Quercetin with bromelain. This is a classic combination that helps maintain proper functioning of the body’s histamine response, thereby reducing inflammation. While ENS sufferers often have inflammation, many also suffer from allergies and sinusitis. Quercetin is particularly beneficial for allergies while bromelain is beneficial for sinusitis. Quercetin is an antioxidant that has antihistamine properties, which is why it is recommended for people with allergies, while bromelain, a pineapple-derived enzyme that is anti-inflammatory, is added to enhance the absorption of Quercetin. These pills help enhance respiratory function and support a healthy immune system.
- Flaxseed oil or Fish Oil. Taking these healthy fats are good for your heart and immune system. Both fish oil and flaxseed oil are excellent sources of the Omega-3 fatty acid, a “healthy fat.” Both fats might not only help with heart health and immune system functioning, but are also touted as helpful to brain and mental health. It is possible that they might even help prevent against depression, from which many with ENS suffer. As for the differences between flaxseed oil and fish oil, flaxseed oil contains only alpha- linoleic acid (ALA), which is the parent compound from which other omega-3 fatty acids – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – are derived. This means your body must do the conversion to the other forms it needs, which are EPA and DHA. Conversely, fish oil contains the EPA and DHA and thus provides them directly to your body without the need for conversion.
- Multi-vitamin. Look for a vitamin that contains strong doses of Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, calcium, selenium, chromium, stinging nettles extract, carotenoid mix, etc.
- Acidopholus. The probiotic acidopholus is important for good digestive and, by extension, sinus health, particularly for those who have been on antibiotics. This contains microorganisms of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus lactis. These good bacteria help to maintain healthy digestive health – and offer advantages to other areas of our body as well. A major advantage of acidophilus is the suppression of candida, which is an overgrowth of yeast. It is particularly important to take acidophilus if you are on antibiotics, because the antibiotics will kill not only the bad bacteria, but the good bacteria in the gut as well, leaving your digestive system out of whack. Probiotics are a hot topic in medicine today and it just makes good sense to take these for good health.
- Host Defense. This product is a great immune system booster for ENS sufferers who also have recurrent sinus infections. Host Defense is a combination of organic mushrooms that help to boost immunity. This product claims it helps to increase natural killer cell activity by up to 300%.
- Slippery Elm Bark is a product that can help soothe minor irritated throats. I have not had great success with it, but it might work for you.
- Avoid sugar
- Choose organic foods
- Consider food supplements, try garlic, onion, or oregano.
- Some patients respond well to orally taken vitamin A and D. (be advised that exceeding the upper limits of the daily recommended dosage of these vitamins can be detrimental to your health)