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).

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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.

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