Theraputic Foods To Help Control Bronchial Asthma

Theraputic Foods To Help Control Bronchial Asthma
A disease process that is characterised by paradoxical
narrowing of the bronchi (lung passageways) making breathing difficult.
Symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing (particularly exhaling
air) and tightness in the chest. Factors which can exacerbate asthma
include rapid changes in temperature or humidity, allergies, upper
respiratory infections, exercise, stress or smoke (cigarette).

Asthma cannot be cured. The possibility of future attacks can,
however, be minimized by drugs and other preventives, but if a person
is disposed to asthma, there is always a chance that an attack will
occur. In the high-risk patient, home monitoring of lung function may
allow an increase in asthma medication before a patient has symptoms.

Treatment includes bronchodilators which are given orally or
delivered as an aerosol (inhaled). Corticosteroids are reserved for
more difficult cases. Ephedrine, an alkaloid extracted from ephedra, is
an approved over-the-counter treatment for bronchial tightness
associated with asthma.

Theraputic foods or nutrients that help controlling asthma are:
omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, foods high in flavonoids and beta
carotene, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 (Vitamin B6 deficiency is common in
asthmatics), high amounts of vitamin B12 supplements (1,500 mcg per
day) have been found to reduce the tendency for asthmatics to react to
sulfites, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Magnesium (magnesium can
prevent spasms of the bronchial passages).

See Asthma

The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.