• Dietary changes supporting immune system health will help reduce cat allergies.cat face image by Viktor Korpan from Fotolia.com
  
  Allergies in humans can take all kinds of forms, one of the most prevalent being allergies to pet dander. Cats can be very pleasant household pets, but extreme allergic reactions might make owning a cat seem impossible. Although few things can beat the power of antihistamine drugs, they can be expensive. A cheaper option is to provide yourself with dietary supplements as well as foods containing nutrients which can help support your immune system.
  
  

Unprocessed Foods

• Altering your diet to include more whole, unprocessed foods and removing processed foods with chemical additives will help to strengthen your immune system. The chemical additives and sugars found in most processed foods can provide an unnecessary strain upon your immune system, impairing its ability to fight off allergic reactions. Whole foods, including unprocessed citrus fruits, vegetables, garlic and cayenne peppers, also contain a higher concentration of vital nutrients that will further improve immune system activity.
  
  

Quercetin

• Quercetin, also known as QRC, is a bioflavonoid appearing in many common plant-based foods, such as broccoli, apples and some berries. Quercetin is also available in tablet form as a nutritional supplement. QRC works to stabilize the membranes of mast cells, which produce histamines in response to environmental irritants; excess histamine is often what causes allergic reactions. One or two 500 mg tablets of quercetin three times daily can help reduce extreme allergies to cats.
  
  

Vitamin Supplements

• A wide array of vitamin supplements will provide support to your immune system in the fight against cat allergies. Multivitamin supplements with minerals offer a greater variety of nutrients to feed your immune system. Look for supplements with high levels of vitamin C, which lowers histamine levels; vitamin E, which lowers antibody levels and can reduce histamine production; and vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, which is used in the production of adrenal hormones which reduce allergic responses. Other nutrients that promote a healthy immune system include vitamin A, selenium and zinc.
  
  

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Apple cider vinegar has gained popular use as a home remedy for a number of reasons. Compared to other herbal remedies, apple cider vinegar has a greater ability to reduce the effect of environmental irritants, such as pet dander from cats. Apple cider vinegar can be ingested, or vapors can be inhaled when used with a chest compress. Besides being able to heal sore throats and reduce mucus levels in the sinus cavities, apple cider vinegar contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E as well as potassium, magnesium and calcium.