According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, every one in 15 Americans suffers from some form of asthma, and it is the most common childhood disease. While asthma is usually controlled by use of medication, there are also certain dietary measures you may take to reduce the instance of asthma attacks for you or your child.
An Apple a Day
Apples and apple juice contain certain phytochemicals that can improve lung functioning in asthma sufferers. They also have a preventive effect if eaten by pregnant women--a study performed in the Netherlands by S.M. Willers of Utrecht University and published in the September 2007 issue of the medical journal "Thorax" found that children born to mothers who consumed four or more apples a week had half the chance of developing childhood asthma as did children born to women who consumed one or fewer apples per week.
Garlic Treatments
While it may sound unappetizing, the combination of garlic taken with warm milk is an old folk remedy for asthma that many sufferers report has had the effect of lessening asthma attacks. It is also used for bronchitis, severe chest colds and other ailments of the lungs and respiratory system. If you cannot stomach the concept of milk and garlic together, you could just make a garlic tea using several cloves of garlic chopped fine and simmered in boiling water. This cure was prescribed by none other than St. Hildegard of Bingen, childhood asthmatic turned nun and healer.
Leafy Vegetables
A 2007 article published in the journal "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology" reported the results of a seven-year study of 460 Spanish school children. According to the health data recorded, children who consumed more than 1 1/2 oz. of "fruity vegetables" per day were much less likely to suffer from the symptoms of asthma and other allergies. Fruity vegetables are defined as ones that grow from a plant blossom and include zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, eggplants and cucumbers.
Fish and Fish Oil
The same study of Spanish school children also found a correlation between consumption of fish and rates of allergies and asthma. According to that study, the children who ate at least 2 oz. of fish per day had far fewer asthma and allergy symptoms than the children who did not eat much fish. While it may not be easy to fit a daily dose of fish into your child's diet, you may wish to supplement with fish oil in capsule form. Fish oil (and fish) are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve respiratory function along with overall health.
Oranges and Lemons
Consuming fruit high in Vitamin C can help reduce the instance of asthma attacks, particularly in children. A 2000 study in Italy, undertaken by the Regional Health Authority of Lazio, Rome, found that children who ate oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and kiwi fruit several times a week experienced significantly fewer asthma symptoms than children who did not regularly eat these types of fruits. Vitamin C is thought by many medical professionals to protect against inflammation in the lungs, and can be found in high concentration not only in citrus and kiwi fruits, but also in strawberries, raspberries, papaya and guava.
References
- More about apples and asthma
- For the Love of Garlic: The Complete Guide to Garlic Cuisine; Victoria Renoux; 2005
