Childhood asthma is an increasingly common condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of May 2009, more than 7 million American children have asthma. Asthma is conventionally treated with a mix of corticosteroids, but many parents are also looking for alternative therapies to complement the treatment. Recent studies have focused on how diet can be used to reduce asthma symptoms and prevent more serious attacks. Because nutritional needs are unique to each child, consulting with an expert, such as a naturopathic physician, will yield the best results.
Fruits and Vegetables
Living in an industrialized country usually means increased exposure to environmental pollutants, such as smog, exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Antioxidants play an important role in the health of developing airways by reducing the amount of oxidative damage caused by exposure to pollutants. Because diet is the major source of antioxidants, it is essential for children to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables daily. Organic berries, plums, oranges and any green, leafy vegetables and onions make excellent choices.
Good Oils
Because asthma is mainly an inflammatory condition, a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods is recommended. Foods most associated with anti-inflammatory effects include cold-water oily fish, such as salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel and herring, as well as certain plant oils, such as olive oil and flax seed oil. Cold-water fish is also an excellent source of vitamin D, recently recognized as effective in reducing asthma symptoms. For some children, it is beneficial to supplement their diet with fish oil, though it may take as long as a year before obvious improvement is observed.
Foods to Avoid
Asthma attacks can become life threatening in a short time. It is vital for parents to know how to recognize an attack and what to do in that situation. It is just as important to identify the triggers for their child's asthma. By working with a qualified health practitioner, such as a naturopathic physician, parents can find out the foods to which their children are hypersensitive and remove them from their diet. In addition, food additives, such as coloring agents, preservatives and sulfites, should be avoided.
