Asthma is a respiratory condition with an increased prevalence over the past two decades, currently affecting up to 7 percent of people worldwide, including 20 million Americans. It is also a common condition in children, and an estimated 6 million American children been diagnosed with asthma, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Several factors are involved in the development of asthma, and environmental factors such as diet and allergens are linked with this condition. Consult your health care provider to find out the benefits of adopting the Mediterranean diet for you or your children.
About the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet was developed and currently used in countries such as Greece and Italy. This diet contains significant consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes, as well as whole grains, nuts, fish and olive oil. Meat, foods high and saturated fats milk and other dairy foods are used in limited amounts. The Mediterranean diet also allows moderate consumption of alcohol.
The Mediterranean Diet and Asthma
A systematic review and meta-analysis of research that link the Mediterranean diet and asthma was published in March 2011 issue of "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology." The authors found supportive evidence that the Mediterranean diet helps prevent the development of asthma and that using this diet is particularly protective against wheezing associated with asthma. The study also correlate the benefits of adequate intake of fruits and vegetables; vitamins A, D and E; and the mineral zinc in preventing asthma.
Two months later, in May 2011, another relevant study was featured in "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology." The research team from Harokopio University, inAthens, Greece, conducted a cross-sectional study of 700 children between ages 10 and 12 years. This study concluded that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet was correlated with a decrease prevalence of asthma and symptoms of exercise-induced asthma in school-aged children.
The Mediterranean Diet and Your Overall Health
People who adhere to this diet lower their risks of death by 23 percent, indicated Dr. Emily Senay in an interview with CBC News in September 2004. It was also found that following the Mediterranean diet, not smoking, moderate consumption or alcohol and regular physical exercise lower your risk of death from any cause by 65 percent. People with other medical conditions who may benefit from this diet include diabetes and metabolic syndrome, heart diseases and Alzheimer's disease, says Senay.
Considerations
Consult a health care provider to find out more about the Mediterranean diet and supplements that may improve symptoms of asthma. Keep in mind that diet does not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional drugs prescribed for the management of asthma.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Asthma
- CBC News: Benefits Of Mediterranean Diet; David Hancock ; September, 2004
- "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology."; Adherence to the Mediterranean type of diet is associated with lower prevalence of asthma symptoms, among 10-12 years old children: the PANACEA study; F.Arvaniti et al; May, 2011
- "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology." ; Nutrients and foods for the primary prevention of asthma and allergy: systematic review and meta-analysis; U.Nurmatov et al; March, 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Mediterenean Diet
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