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Vitamins For Asthma And Allergies

Any Foods That You Are Allergic

Vitamin D and Asthma

These are also the worst foods for asthma you need to remember and avoid for good!

If you keep consuming the foods which you know you are allergic to, then you are on high alert of asthma. You should watch out these foods because they play a considerable role in triggering your asthma symptoms. It is reported that foods causing allergic reactions are wheat, tree nuts, soy, fish, eggs, shellfish and cows milk. In case you are allergic to some of these foods, avoid eating them or things that are cross-contaminated by them.

Now, after reading this list of best and worst foods for asthma, before making any big changes to your daily eating habits, you should talk to your doctor or health care provider first. Depending on your diagnosis of asthma and your overall health as well as the severity of your asthma condition, the doctor will offer specific advice for you.

This best and worst foods for asthma article is done with the hope to help you figure out how to plan a diet which can fight off asthma symptoms and prevent further attacks. If you have any ideas about this entry, do not hesitate to leave your comments below this post. We appreciate and will reply as soon as possible.

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What Does This Mean For People With Asthma

If you have asthma, you may want to speak with your asthma care provider about checking your vitamin D levels. If you are deficient, talk to your provider to see if it might be worth trying a supplement.

Vitamin D is NOT an asthma treatment and NEVER replaces your prescription medicine. It will not make your lungs function better or treat day-to-day asthma symptoms. If you and your doctor decide you should take a vitamin D supplement, you must also take your prescribed asthma medicine. You should not take vitamin D with certain medicines, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Read package inserts to make sure there arent any interactions.

Scientists need to conduct more studies about vitamin Ds effects on children.

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Blood Collection And Serum Measurements Of Vitamin D

A trained phlebotomist collected venous blood sample, and serum was separated and stored at 70°C until analysis. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D , a vitamin D metabolite, was measured using a commercially available kit . The treated samples were then assayed using competitive binding radioimmunassay technique. Subjects were classified into four categories: severe vitamin D deficiency, 25D < 10 ng/ml moderate deficiency, 25D 1019 ng/ml mild deficiency, 25D 2029 ng/ml normal/optimal level is between 3080 ng/ml . According to the recommendations of other studies , we categorized vitamin D levels as deficient if 25D was < 20 ng/ml, insufficient if it was 2029 ng/ml and sufficient if it was > 30 ng/ml. We marked this classification in figure 1 in order to identify the deficient and insufficient vitamin D levels. Other baseline biochemical parameters measured from the serum included calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, creatinine and parathyroid hormone levels as previously described. Total and allergen-specific IgE levels were measured from serum.

Fig. 1

Distribution of serum vitamin D in Qatari children with asthma. Vitamin D levels: deficient < 20 ng/ml insufficient 2029 ng/ml sufficient > 30 ng/ml.

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What Does Science Say About Vitamin D And Asthma

Research shows an important relationship between vitamin D deficiency and poor bone health. Scientists believe vitamin D may impact other areas of health, including asthma. According to research, vitamin D has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity which might lower the risk of asthma attacks caused by respiratory infections.2

Here is a recent analysis of multiple studies that support the link between vitamin D and asthma:

Vitamin D for the Management of Asthma3

Researchers compared the results of nine studies. Seven included 435 children and two included 658 adults. They concluded that vitamin D is:

  • Likely to reduce both the risk of asthma attack and health care use. But these findings were generally limited to only those with mild or moderate asthma. It also only looked at those with lower baseline vitamin D levels.
  • Children and people with frequent severe asthma attacks were under-represented. More primary trials are needed to see if vitamin D can reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks in these groups.

Allergies And Vitamin D

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Allergic diseases of nearly all types, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, eczema, and even anaphylaxis have become much more common over the past few decades. This could be partially explained by the hygiene hypothesis, but some experts think that this is also related to vitamin D deficiency.

To support this link, scientific evidence shows that food allergies and anaphylaxis occur at much higher rates in areas with less sun exposure .

In addition, asthma, eczema, and atopy have been associated with low vitamin D levels, particularly for people who have mutations in their vitamin D receptor genes. Also, vitamin D supplementation given to pregnant women significantly reduced the occurrence of asthma and recurrent wheeze in young children.

Furthermore, research shows that vitamin D can activate certain regulatory immune system cells that prevent the release of chemicals that cause and worsen allergic diseases. So a deficiency in vitamin D may inhibit this regulatory mechanism, which may worsen or trigger allergic disease.

This all being said, it’s important to not over-simplify the development of diseases, including allergic diseases, which are likely complex, involving both a person’s genes and environment. Instead, the big picture here is that a vitamin D deficiency may play a role in a person’s allergies, although exactly how much, still leaves experts scratching their heads.

Read Also: How Do You Know If You Have Asthma

Which Vitamins And Supplements Are Good For Asthma

In an ideal world, the food you eat should provide all the nutrients you need, except vitamin D which isnt enough in foods and is mostly obtained from exposure to the sun.

However, in the real world, the diet is not perfect. In fact, asthma is more prevalent in Western countries, where processed foods are consumed in larger quantities. Even unprocessed foods that we eat have fewer nutrients than decades ago due to several factors. The soils are depleted of some important minerals. Some nutrients are lost during transportation or staying on the shelves in stores. Many people have digestive problems that affect how much of these nutrients are absorbed in the body. Finally, asthma in particular had been associated with multiple nutrient deficiencies- including omega 3, vitamins D, C, and E.

Nutrition And Dietary Supplements

Although there is no diet for asthma, people who have allergic asthma may also have food allergies that can make their asthma worse. If you think you may have food allergies, talk to your doctor about trying an elimination diet.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants may also help control asthma. One study found that people with asthma who followed the Mediterranean diet had better control of asthma symptoms. Some studies suggest that people with asthma tend to have low levels of certain nutrients. But there is no evidence that taking supplements helps reduce asthma attacks. An overall healthy diet will help you get the nutrients you need, and help your body deal with a long-term condition like asthma.

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Do You Need A Supplement

Mild zinc deficiency is relatively common. If you cannot get an adequate amount of zinc from your diet or if you have a medical condition, you may need to take a zinc supplement. Some reasons that you may be at risk for low levels of zinc in your body could be the result of:

  • Restricted diet: vegetarians may need up to 50 percent morethan the RDA for zinc due to low bioavailability of zinc from plant-basedfoods.
  • Medical or digestive disorders that inhibit the absorptionof nutrients, such as Crohns, colitis, chronic diarrhea or IBS
  • Chronic liver disease or sickle cell anemia

What Should I Eat To Prevent Asthma

Asthma, Vitamin D and Remodeling of the Lung

Given the murky evidence for a link between asthma and nutrition, there is no particular asthma diet. But its a good idea to adhere to a healthy diet, anyway.

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. We still donât know which fruits and vegetables might have an effect on asthma, so the best advice is to increase your intake of a wide variety of them.
  • Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines and some plant sources, like flaxseed are believed to have a number of health benefits. Although the evidence that they help with asthma is not clear, itâs still a good idea to include them in your diet.
  • Avoid trans fats and omega-6 fatty acids. Thereâs some evidence that eating omega-6 fats and trans fats, found in some margarines and processed foods, may worsen asthma, and other serious health conditions such as heart disease.

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What Are The Natural Sources Of Vitamin C

  • Citrus fruits such as orange, lemon and grapefruits
  • Other fruits such as muskmelon, watermelon, tomatoes, pineapple, kiwi, guava, papaya and mango
  • Raw or minimally cooked green vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, bell peppers and turnip
  • Berries including strawberry, Indian gooseberry , raspberry and cranberry

Breathe Easier By Adding Key Supplements Today

Persons with asthma should seek medical advice first before using any supplement. More importantly, supplements are not a replacement for inhalers or other medications. Use these supplements in conjunction with prescribed asthma medication. Consistent use may reduce coughing, wheezing, or other symptoms due to the ability to reduce inflammation. Get the much-needed support from a doctor or pharmacist on the right combination of these 4 supplements.

Also Check: Can Food Cause Asthma Symptoms

Refocusing Research Onto The Biological Effects Of Vitamin C

Vitamin C was identified in the search for the substance the deficiency of which led to scurvy. These early studies led to the assumption that the sole physiological function of vitamin C is just to prevent and treat scurvy. Therefore, it is often assumed that higher doses of vitamin C have no benefit when a person does not suffer from scurvy. In view of this strongly entrenched assumption, assessing the role of vitamin C on diseases and conditions other than scurvy is not just an empirical question but also a conceptual issue.

Bias against vitamin supplementation in general has been well documented . Several influential reviews on vitamin C and the common cold have been shown to be erroneous and misleading . A Cochrane review on vitamin C and asthma was shown to have substantial errors in the extraction of data and data analysis, and the review misled readers for a decade . If we wish for progress in the understanding of the effects of vitamin C on EIB, it needs to be acknowledged that the effects of vitamin C are not limited to the prevention of scurvy alone and, consequently, the published data on vitamin C should be analyzed carefully and comprehensively.

Stay Hydrated With Water

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Water isnt a vitamin or supplement, but it is a very important tool to use in prevention and treatment of asthma attacks.

In everyday life its healthy to drink plenty of water all of your systems work better when hydrated.

As you know, one of the primary symptoms of asthma is thick mucus that clogs your lungs. Water will break down that mucus, which makes it thinner and easier to breathe through.

During an asthma attack, that thick mucus will also clog your bronchioles the tiny branches at the end of your airways.

The mucus goes down the passageways to tiny air sacs called alveoli, which are the site of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the respiratory system.

If you are dehydrated, the mucus will thicken even more and dry into hard plugs that will continue to block oxygen until you can clear them out.

Water helps thin mucus and soften the hardened plugs so they are easier to cough out.

You may also lose water through sweating from the exertion of rapid breathing during a severe prolonged asthma attack.

Higher body temperature, and the increased rate of respiration also contribute to dehydration.

I was astonished to find, during one Emergency Room visit, that I was not allowed to have water.

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Lifestyle Management For Asthma

Asthma needs to be managed even when symptoms are not present. According to the 2007 guidelines issued by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute , people with asthma should educate themselves and have a clear action plan for the management of their asthma symptoms.

To effectively control and manage asthma in the long-term, patients must be able to self-monitor their symptoms and recognize the warning sign of an attack. They must also be able to respond quickly through timely use of medication and/or other intervention. In addition, the patient must recognize and minimize contact with the specific asthma trigger as well as manage other medical/health conditions that can exacerbate symptoms.

What Are Emerging Therapies For Asthma

  • Suplatast tosilate, a Th2 cytokine inhibitor that eases inflammation
  • Omalizumab , a monoclonal antibody that inhibits a key mediator of IgE
  • Other monoclonal antibodies that modulate inflammatory response
  • Pitrakinra , a blocker of interleukin-4-mediated inflammation
  • Bronchial thermoplasty, a process in which radio-frequency energy destroys tissue in the airway to prevent constriction

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Vitamins With Antioxidant Properties And Asthma

Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance of reactive oxidant species and antioxidants, can lead to tissue damage, airway inflammation, abnormal immune responses4, 5 and increased asthma severity6. Antioxidant defenses include endogenous antioxidant enzymes and exogenous agents in the diet. Serum levels of antioxidants have been positively associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second in subjects with and without asthma7, 8

Supplements For Allergy Relief And Prevention

Claudia Joy Wingo – Herbal Remedies for Allergies and Asthma

Last week, I offered my top ten tips for beating spring allergies. This week, Im arming you with the supplements you need to keep the sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes at bay.

Most often when seasonal allergies strike, we reach for the Claritin or the Allegra, but you can save yourself a trip to the pharmacy with these natural allergy-busters:

1) QUERCETIN: Known to inhibit mast cells from releasing pro-inflammatory compounds that cause allergy symptoms. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.

2) BROMELAIN: A proteolytic enzyme extracted from pineapple, it stops the allergic cascade and reduces swelling and edema of tissue. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.

3) URTICA DIOICA : Randomized, double-blind studies have shown it to be as effective as standard allergy medications. Dosage: 200 mg 3 times daily.

4) NAC : In Europe, its a prescription medicine, used for reducing congestion and for thinning tenacious mucus. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.

5) OMEGA-3 FISH OIL: EPA offers anti-inflammatory protection. Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times daily.

6) VITAMIN C: Natures own antihistamine. Dosage: 500 mg 3 times daily.

7) VITAMIN D: Emerging research suggests a protective role of vitamin D against asthma, eczema, and other allergic conditions.

8) BUTTERBUR : Also a popular migraine remedy, good research supports its anti-leukotriene effects. European studies have shown it to be as effective as the popular allergy drug Zyrtec. Dosage: 50 mg 3 times daily.

Read Also: How Do You Control Asthma Without An Inhaler

Dietary Supplements That May Help Your Asthma

From omega-3s to caffeine, weve rounded up the nutrients, herbs, and supplements that may reduce inflammation, a key part of asthma management.

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If youre wondering whether certain dietary supplements can help improve asthma symptoms, there are a few things you should know.

For starters, there is very little scientific evidence that they work, says Maureen George, PhD, RN, a medical adviser of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and a certified asthma educator whose research specialties include alternative and complementary medicine.

And even though small studies have shown some clinical benefits of vitamins and minerals on asthma management, says Clifford Bassett, MD, founder and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York and a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center, the evidence is limited and, in some cases, even contradictory.

At the same time, George adds, certain vitamins, herbs, and minerals appear to be safe and even helpful for some people with asthma. I allow patients to use what theyd like as long as they take it along with their prescribed medications, she says.

Here are eight dietary supplements that may help alleviate asthma symptoms and what research and experts say about making them part of your asthma management plan:

Allergies And Asthma: Supplements And Activities Schedule

Allergies and asthma are create misery for many people, especially in the spring when seasonal allergies return due to particulates from plants, including pollens.

Yet, seasonal allergic symptoms and asthmatic symptoms go far beyond the plant pollens of spring. In fact, allergies and asthma are frequently associated with exposures to certain foods and food additives, molds, animal dander, chemicals, and various environmental exposures.

Fortunately for many sufferers, there are many simple, natural, and alternative means available to help support, alleviate, and in some cases virtually eliminate, the symptoms associated with allergies and asthma.

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Minimize Attacks With Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral critical for health and wellness. Magnesium is also the go-to for medical experts in treating asthma. The mineral relaxes inflamed bronchial muscles, helping air to flow efficiently. About 50% of persons in the US are not getting the required daily dose of magnesium. And research shows persons with asthma have even lower levels. The body can overuse magnesium to compensate for the disease. Taking a daily magnesium supplement may help manage symptoms and improve long-term respiratory health.

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