According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 7 percent of adult Americans and 9.6 percent of American children have asthma. This chronic lung disease has been on the rise in recent decades and now accounts for more than 13 million annual emergency room and doctor's office visits. Asthma is inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Treatment requires inhalation of corticosteroids and beta-agonist inhalers. However, avoiding certain triggers and following a specific diet can significantly improve your asthma symptoms.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation, narrowing of the airways and excess mucus production. Asthma causes reoccurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. A condition that affects people of all ages, asthma cannot be cured but its symptoms can be controlled.
Importance of Diet
Medical treatment for asthma is important; however, diet plays a crucial role for asthma patients. Unhealthy dietary habits can trigger asthmatic reactions and cause breathing difficulty. Conversely, following a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish and healthy fats helps reduce the sensitivity of cells to air pollution and other allergens. Certain nutrients help the body to neutralize free radical production, reducing the severity or frequency of asthma attacks and improving lung function. A healthy diet therefore has a protective role in asthmatic patients.
Fruits
Fruits are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Fruit -- especially fresh fruit -- should be an integral part of an asthmatic patient's diet. Rich in powerful antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, zinc and other important nutrients, fruit helps protect against harmful effects of pollution and other irritants. Vitamin C, found in grapes, citrus fruit, pineapple, watermelon, guava and kiwi can significantly improve lung function, as can vitamin E consumption.
Vegetables
Vegetables, especially dark green leafy ones, contain essential nutrients as well as bio-flavonoids which reduce free radicals in the body, thereby preventing inflammation of the lungs. Individuals who do not consume an adequate amount of vegetables experience impaired lung function compared to people who meet their vegetable quota. Choose vegetables such as broccoli, peppers, turnip, cabbage, spinach, kale, artichoke, asparagus, carrots, onions, romaine or iceberg lettuce, squash and tomatoes. Vegetables make an excellent salad or side dish for any meal.
Fish
Along with fruits and vegetables, fish is an important component of a diet for asthma. Fatty fish contains an essential fatty acid, omega-3. Consuming fish at least twice per week may reduce the incidence of allergies and asthma. Fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, cod, mackerel and trout are good examples. Unlike red meat and dairy, fish is low in saturated fat. Fish oils may help improve lung function in asthmatics as well.
Healthy Fats
A high-fat diet should be avoided by asthma patients; large amounts of unhealthy fats cause inflammation of the airways and can trigger an asthma attack. Thus, asthmatics should eat a low-fat diet emphasizing the right kinds of fat. In addition to omega-3 fatty acids from fish, choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats rather than trans or saturated fat. Healthy fats are found in flax seed oil, sunflower oil, olive oil and a variety of nuts. These foods are also rich in vitamin E.
