030425 – Asthma Nutrition

Provided by ISL Consulting Co.

Good nutrition is a basic and formidable tool in your effort to manage your asthma or allergies. People with asthma or allergies tend to have specific nutritional deficiencies linked to their conditions. By tailoring your nutrition you can shore up any deficiencies, strengthen your defenses, and raise your overall energy and sense of well-being. 

Asthma and the Need for Calcium 

Many people with asthma use oral and inhaled forms of corticosteroids to help them breathe comfortably. The effective dose increases for people over 40. High doses can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which the bones lose density and become prone to fractures. 

Calcium is a bone builder and when taken with Vitamin D, which helps the body to absorb calcium, it can help decrease the risk of osteoporosis. 
•	Suggested Calcium Intake - For those at risk for osteoporosis the suggested adult calcium intake is 1500 mg with 800 IU (international units) of Vitamin D per day. 
•	Foods with Calcium - Foods rich in calcium include dairy products, tofu, raisins, sardines and salmon with bones and dark green, leafy vegetables like broccoli, chard and collards. 
•	Can You Get Enough Calcium? - Unfortunately, some people are either allergic to dairy products or unable to digest them. In addition, as we get older our ability to absorb calcium decreases and other nutrients, such as large amounts of proteins and fiber, can also deplete the body's calcium. 
•	Calcium Supplements - Calcium supplements can help you to reach your recommended daily intake. Avoid the supplements that contain bone meal, oyster shell or dolomite as they could contain toxic materials. Talk to your doctor because calcium supplements can interfere with other medications and can cause abdominal side effects. Start with lower dosages and work your way up. 

The Need for Fluids 

You can reduce asthma and respiratory allergy symptoms by thinning the mucus in the lungs. And just as you would think, drinking more fluids is the answer. Mineral water with a high calcium content can help you to increase your intake of both fluids and calcium. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids may be effective in reducing asthma symptoms in many people with the condition. Another study found that children who regularly ate fresh, oily fish containing Omega-3 fatty acids were four times less likely to develop asthma than children who rarely or never ate oily fish. Scientists speculate that the Omega-3 fatty acids reduce airway inflammation and responsiveness, thus preventing the development of asthma or reducing its severity. 
•	Foods with Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 Fatty Acids are found in oily fish such as salmon, tuna, orange roughly, mullet, and rainbow trout and in flaxseed, soybean oil, canola oil and dark green, leafy vegetables. 

Choose Your Foods Carefully 

Clear links have been made between poor nutrition and the bronchial difficulties of asthma. Good nutrition helps the body to fend off infection and to reduce the symptoms of asthma and allergies. 
•	A Healthy Diet - A healthy diet includes fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. A diet high in fat may increase a child's risk of developing asthma while a diet rich in Vitamin E is thought to improve lung function. 
•	Food Labels - If you have allergies and asthma it is always a good idea to read food labels. Know your triggers and watch for them. A common ingredient, modified wheat starch, is "modified" by six chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma. 
•	Know What You Need - If you have a food allergy that eliminates an entire food group from your diet, talk to your doctor about the vitamins or mineral supplements you might need to keep you in the pink. 

Preventing Allergies in Children 

Evidence suggests that fewer allergies surface in the first two years of a child's life if they were exclusively breast-fed during their first 6-12 months. In addition, if the mother avoids eggs, cow milk, peanuts and fish while nursing, she may also help to reduce eczema in her baby. 

Last Reviewed: May 15, 2002
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