Doctor’s own COVID defense
Wouldn’t it be great if there were ways to ease the bothersome symptoms of spring allergies that also boosted your protection against COVID? Turns out there are—and they’re easy! Just…
Take nature’s Allegra Apples and onions brim with quercetin, a nutrient that curbs symptom-triggering histamine by 96%. Now, Turkish scientists are studying quercetin supplements to prevent COVID. That’s why Fred Pescatore, M.D., recommends it to allergy patients and also takes it as part of his COVID protection plan. “It acts as an antiviral and reduces inflammation,” he says. “That’s key since inflammation is one way COVID does its damage.” He advises 500 mg. twice daily. One to try: Life Extension Optimized Quercetin (Lifeextension.com/ww). Note: Talk to a doctor before supplementing.
Try a saline spritz
Saline nasal sprays thin mucus so it’s easier to clear, whisking away trapped allergens with it. That’s why a U.K. study found the sprays ease allergy symptoms by 44%. Plus, they may help combat COVID, notes immunologist Nancy Klimas, M.D. “They work a lot like hand-washing, but for nasal tissues.” She advises using a saline spray four times daily and after being out and about.
Sip a floral tea
Fruity-floral oolong tea has compounds that boost the function of regulatory T cells, which tamp down the body’s allergic response, notes Leo Galland, M.D., author of The Allergy Solution. He suggests enjoying up to five cups daily. And that strategy could also protect against COVID by inactivating the virus in the mouth and GI tract, say Japanese scientists. Their laboratory study found exposing COVID samples to oolong tea reduced the virus’ infectivity by 65%.
Don a pair of glasses Eyeglasses act like a physical shield to protect your peepers from allergens, reducing sneezing and itchy eyes by up to 68%, a study in the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology found. And since eyes are an entryway for COVID, glasses protect against infection too: In a Chinese study, hospitalization rates for COVID were 82% lower in folks who wore glasses than in those who didn’t. Experts say prescription specs, OTC readers or sunglasses all provide the benefit.