Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs when the airways swell and it is difficult for you to breathe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For some people, an asthma attack can be triggered by allergens like dust or pollen; other people may have symptoms due to stress, cold air or exercise. Asthma is typically treated by medications that reduce the swelling in the lung airways. Another factor that may be related to asthma is vitamin deficiency. Recent research has shown that vitamins D, C and A may influence asthma.
Vitamin D
Having a deficiency of vitamin D may be associated with the severity of asthma, according to Dr. Manbir Sandhu and colleagues in a 2010 article in the journal "Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology." The deficiency was associated with poorer asthma control. Low levels of vitamin D were more common in African- Americans and those who were obese. Adding vitamin D to your treatment plan that has been prescribed by your physician may be beneficial for asthma control; however, you should never change your asthma regimen or medications without speaking with your doctor first. Vitamin D should never be used alone as an asthma treatment because asthma can be a deadly condition.
Vitamin C
Lower levels of vitamin C in the body and low levels of daily intake has been associated with a higher risk of asthma, as reported by Dr. Leonardi-Bee and colleagues in a 2009 issue of the journal "Thorax." Decreased levels of vitamin C may also be related to exercise-related asthma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Increasing the consumption of fruits that contain vitamin C like oranges, strawberries and mangoes may improve asthma symptoms; taking a vitamin C supplement along with your prescribed asthma medicines may also help your asthma. You still should discuss with your physician any additional supplements you take before using them and do not discontinue your asthma medications without speaking with your doctor first.
Vitamin A
Vitamin-A deficiency may also be associated with asthma as well. The study by Dr. Leonardi-Bee and colleagues also looked at the association between vitamin A and asthma; these researchers found that dietary intake of vitamin A was lower in people with asthma when compared with people without asthma. The intake was also lower in people who had severe asthma compared to people who had mild asthma. Vitamin A is found in meat, eggs and dairy products, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is not fully understood if adding vitamin A will improve your asthma symptoms; you should discuss this supplement with your doctor as too much vitamin A can cause health problems.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C
- "Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology"; The role of vitamin D in asthma; Sandhu MS, Casale TB; 2010
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Have Asthma? Vitamin D May Help
- "Thorax"; Association between Antioxidant Vitamins and Asthma Outcome Measures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; Allen S, Britton JR, Leonardi-Bee JA; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin A
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