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Asthma

Asthma and Diet—What Works And What To Avoid?

Jun 24, 2017

Asthma and Diet

Asthma might be considered a common problem, but experiencing an attack can be quite straining. There are many triggers that could cause an attack.

A common question is: Does diet affect asthma? Yes, food allergies can trigger it. We’ve listed some foods that you should avoid and ones that you should include in your diet to keep this condition at bay.

What To Eat

What Works And What To Avoid?

What To Eat

Magnesium-rich Foods

Adding magnesium-rich foods to your diet can help reduce asthma flare ups and the usage of corticosteroid inhalers (anti-inflammatories). Magnesium sulfate (a combination of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen) is generally used in stopping attacks associated with this condition by relaxing smooth muscle cells.

Some examples of magnesium-rich foods are:

  • Spinach
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Dark chocolate
  • Salmon
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Dark leafy vegetables
What Works And What To Avoid?

Vitamin-D-for-asthma

Include Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps in reducing asthma attacks by reducing inflammation and improving the body’s defenses against infections. Have items like salmon, milk, fortified milk and orange juice regularly to fight the condition naturally. There is a common belief that milk leads to mucus and aggravates the condition in children. However, a 2012 study found out that currently there’s not enough evidence to link asthma and milk consumption.

What Works And What To Avoid?

Apples-for-asthma

Apples Might be the Answer

According to a research published in the Nutrition Journal, apples aid in lowering the risk of asthma as they also help in improving lung function. Consuming at least 2 apples in a week could be the start towards a positive change in dealing with this condition.

What Works And What To Avoid?

Green-Leafy-vegetables

Include Plenty of Veggies

Vegetables have a high-antioxidant content and they protect the airway by reducing inflammation and preventing the release of excess free radicals. They also improve one’s ability to respond to oxidative stress. Carrots are full of beta-carotene, a compound which prevents asthma from being triggered. It also builds the body’s resistance against allergies. Green leafy vegetables contain folate, which helps in reducing allergy and asthma attacks.

What to avoid

What Works And What To Avoid?

Avoid-eggs-for-asthma

Eggs

Although eggs are good in general, they can be highly problematic if you’re allergic to them. With this particular food allergy, you may have an increased inflammation in the airways. Often, this results in more frequent and more severe asthma attacks. If you or your child suffers from asthma, it’s better to check whether there’s an allergy to eggs.

What Works And What To Avoid?

Peanuts

Peanuts

Peanuts can be the cause of an allergic asthma attack in many people. In children, the symptoms of asthma and peanut allergies are similar since shortness of breath, sneezing and coughing are seen in both conditions. This makes it increasingly difficult to spot an asthma attack. It is advisable to get a food allergy test done and consult your doctor to identify a peanut allergy.

What Works And What To Avoid?

Shellfish

Shellfish

Shellfish allergies, which are believed to be the most common food allergy among adults and the third most common in children, can aggravate asthma attacks. Crustaceans such as shrimp, lobster, crab and crayfish should be avoided.

What Works And What To Avoid?

Avoid-junk-food

Avoid Fast Food

Some people suffering from asthma are sensitive or allergic to chemical preservatives, flavorings and colorings, which are often found in processed and fast food.

To conclude, even though asthma is a serious condition, it can be kept under check with simple things such as a proper diet and natural remedies.

Mahesh Jayaraman
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.

References:

Milk consumption and mucus production in children with asthma
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279269/

Apple phytochemicals and their health benefits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC442131/

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Risk of Asthma, Wheezing and Immune Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409680/