Asthma
News । World asthma day is on 7th May, 2024. On this day I would like to share some insights on the Diet Needed for A Patient with Asthma. So, first let us know what asthma is? Asthma is a longstanding illness that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If one has asthma, the airways can become irritated and narrowed at times and may produce extra phlegm. This makes it harder for air to flow out of airways when breathe out and trigger coughing.
Asthma can be triggered by indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold, fur etc. Outdoor allergens, such as pollens and mold. Emotional stress and excessive physical activity,
Regular basic exercise can strengthen heart and lungs, which helps relieve asthma symptoms. If exercise is done in cold temperatures or in an area with air pollution, a face mask should be worn to warm the air to be breathed. Steam can help in reducing inflammation in the lungs and improves airflow by clearing out mucus and congestion from the chest area. Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, so a healthy diet to maintain weight should be taken.
There is now an extensive literature on the relationship between diet and respiratory disease.
There isn’t a diet for asthma that can cure breathing problems. However, some foods might be beneficial. Snacking on fruits and vegetables is a smart idea. Antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamins E and C are abundant in them. These aid in scavenging particles known as “free radicals” that can irritate and inflame your lungs while causing cell damage. While fresh fruit—particularly oranges and apples—can help manage asthma, some people may find that the sulfites used to preserve dried fruit exacerbate their symptoms. Sulfites are also frequently found in bottled lemon juice, pickled vegetables, shrimp, maraschino cherries, and alcohol—especially red wine.
Majority of vitamin D comes from sunshine, but some foods also contain it. Fatty fish (swordfish, salmon, etc.) is the best option, followed by “fortified” milk, eggs, and orange juice (vitamin D). The vitamin may reduce swelling in your airways and boost the immune system, which is your body’s line of protection against infections. An increased risk of asthma attacks can result from low vitamin D levels.
Nuts and Seeds contain many beneficial ingredients, but vitamin E in particular may be beneficial for asthma sufferers. Cruciferous plants such as kale and broccoli, as well as almonds, hazelnuts, and raw seeds, are excellent providers. Tocopherol, a component of vitamin E, may help reduce the amount of asthmatic coughing and wheezing
Beans gives gas to some people. It can bloat belly and make it harder to breathe. It may even trigger an asthma attack. Beans are the most famous candidate. Soak them for a few hours and change the water a couple or so times to lessen this effect. Other gassy culprits are garlic, onions, fried foods, and carbonated drinks.
Salicylates, such as aspirin, are chemicals that are naturally present in coffee, tea, herbs, spices, and even anti-inflammatory pills. Though most people don’t react to them, they could make it harder to breathe, especially if asthma is already present.
Eggs may cause food-induced asthma attacks. They rank among the top eight allergens in the US that are mentioned on food labels. Eggs can aggravate existing allergic reactions, including asthma. The body may create antibodies against the proteins in eggs if consumed. Breathing problems and wheezing are among the symptoms that these antibodies can produce.
Mediterranean diet might be of help as it consists of an abundance of whole grains, beans, nuts, and vegetables as well as fruits. Less red meat and at least twice as much chicken and fish each week. Olive oil can be used for cooking in place of butter with herbs rather than salt. Adults can even partake in a small amount of optional red wine. According to some research, individuals who follow this diet may experience fewer asthma attacks and are at a lower risk of developing the illness in the first place. Further research is required. ।।
Omega-3 fatty acids are of help particularly those found in fatty fish, such as sardines, tuna, herring, and salmon. They assist in reducing the amount of IgE produced by the body. That antibody makes breathing difficult for certain asthmatic individuals. However, a lot of this beneficial effect may be blocked by the high dosages of oral steroids that some patients must take to treat extremely severe asthma.
Dried fruits are one of the things asthma patients might want to stay away from. While fresh fruit—particularly oranges and apples—can help manage asthma, some people may find that the sulfites used to preserve dried fruit exacerbate their symptoms. Sulfites are also frequently found in bottled lemon juice, pickled vegetables, shrimp and alcohol—especially red wine.
Cow’s milk can aggravate asthma symptoms in a few different ways. First of all, some individuals may experience inflammation due to a protein called casein. Moreover, hormones and other substances that can cause an allergic reaction are present in cow’s milk.
One common food allergen that can aggravate asthma is soy. The legume family, which also includes peanuts and peas, includes soybeans. Numerous foods, such as tempeh, soy milk, soy sauce, and tofu, are made from soybeans.
Food allergies and intolerances are two ways that soy can aggravate asthma symptoms. When the body overreacts to a protein in food, a food allergy develops. Symptoms of this reaction include breathing difficulties, wheezing, and hives. However, a soy intolerance is not a result of an immunological response. Rather, it is a response to substances in soybeans that may irritate the lungs and cause symptoms of asthma.
A protein found in peanuts is comparable to the protein that can trigger an inflammatory reaction in the airways, resulting in symptoms of asthma. Since peanut allergies are among the most prevalent food allergies, eating peanuts can make an allergic person very sick.
Asthma attacks are frequently triggered by shellfish. It’s crucial to stay away from shellfish and other seafood for asthma patients since they may contain high amounts of histamine and other allergens that can cause an attack. It’s advisable to consult doctor before attempting cooked shellfish, as some individuals with asthma may be able to consume it without any issues.
Numerous preservatives and other chemicals found in processed food have the potential to trigger asthma attacks. Certain chemicals, like formaldehyde or bleach, are present in the packaging. Others might be included in the food itself, like MSG or sulfites. Breathing may become challenging as a result of these additives’ potential to irritate the airways. It’s crucial to stay away from processed foods as much as possible. Opt for whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that are fresh.
Higher consumption of sugar can cause airway inflammation, making asthma worse.
Asthma cannot be cured but can be controlled with medication, diet and precautions. The above tips might help avoid some of the triggers if someone has asthma. Never forget that every person is unique. Therefore, what causes asthma in one individual may not cause it in another. Consult your doctor before consuming any food if you are unsure about it.
Outdoor irritants like smog can cause asthma attack. Seek medical advice and treatment for problems that can worsen asthma symptoms, like GERD, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. Exercise daily to boost aerobic fitness. Prevent exercise-induced asthma by medicating before exercise.
Asthma and Diet
Dr. Induja Dixit
MSc, PhD
Senior Dietician / Founder DietNature – Therapeutic Diet Clinic
