Natural Help for Asthma
Living with Asthma is a constant drain on the health of one in 3 in every 20 adults and one in 5 children in New Zealand[1]. The use of various inhalers brings some relief but do not treat the underlying cause of asthma.
In my naturopathic practice I have over the years been able to help many people with this debilitating condition through changes in diet, herbal medicine and other natural interventions.
Changes in diet are almost always called for. Start by removes all sugars from your diet, by this I mean anything very sweet; sugar, lollies, cakes , biscuits, muffins, juice(unless homemade), and canned drinks. Also take out any refined grains; this means white bread, white pasta, white rice. Recent research has shown that these are association with inflammation in the body including the inflammation that of your airways which happens in Asthma[2, 3].
Next avoid all fast food, another study showed the more fast food you eat the more asthma attacks you are likely to have[4]. Stop adding salt to your food and avoid processed food which are very likely to be high in salt, as this also increases asthma symptoms[5].
Increase your vegetables and fruit as you desperately need the fiber, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, Vitamin E, Selenium and Magnesium that are found in them; all of these nutrients have been showed to decrease liklihood of asthma. So go for it! Half a plate of veggies once if not twice a day and a few pieces of fruit in between [6, 7] Yes you will be able to eat all that as you wont be filling up on the lollies, and cakes and proceesed food.
Alcohol is another item to cut out if you really want to help stop that horrible wheeze. It has been shown to trigger asthma attacks[8].
It may well be that certain foods or things you breathe in may trigger your symptoms[8]. These do vary for each individual, but most naturopaths have found that dairy products are a common culprit in increasing the mucous and triggering asthma.
If you smoke or are near smokers you will be much more likely to have asthma. Parents if your child is suffering you really do need to stop smoking[7] . Popping outside or leaning out of the window will still put your in danger.
Check out your heating as unflued gas heater really are the most likely to trigger asthma attacks and general illhealth[9]. Have a look at my article about warm ways to boost your immunity for ideas about keeping warm and healthy.
References Click of the links to see find out more about the research
1. SouthernCross, H. Asthma - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment. 2008
2. Takemura, M., et al., High sensitivity C-reactive protein in asthma.Eur Respir J, 2006. 27(5): p. 908-912.
3. Olafsdottir, I.S., et al., C reactive protein levels are increased in non-allergic but not allergic asthma: a multicentre epidemiological study. Thorax, 2005. 60(6): p. 451-454.
4. Wickens, K., et al., Fast foods; are they a risk factor for asthma? Allergy, 2005. 60(12): p. 1537-1541.
5. McKeever, T.M. and J. Britton, Diet and Asthma.Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., 2004. 170(7): p. 725-729.
6. Okoko, B.J., et al., Childhood asthma and fruit consumption.Eur Respir J, 2007. 29(6): p. 1161-1168.
7. Gunilla Nordin, F., et al., Association between diet, lifestyle, metabolic cardiovascular risk factors, and plasma C-reactive protein levels. Metabolism: clinical and experimental, 2004. 53(11): p. 1436-1442.
8. Maintz, L. and N. Novak, Histamine and histamine intolerance.Am J Clin Nutr, 2007. 85(5): p. 1185-1196.
9. Howden-Chapman, P., et al., Effects of improved home heating on asthma in community dwelling children: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 2008. 337(sep23_1): p. a1411-.
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