What Are the Dietary Supplements for Asthma?

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? Eating a balanced meal will certainly be helpful not just for improving one’s condition but also for patients with asthma as certain dietary supplements provide additional support.  It’s best that you try to certain types of foods instead of supplements because supplements are usually unregulated by the FDA. They haven’t been tested for safety and it’s hard to know if the dosage and contents are consistent with the product label. What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? If you still want to try supplements, it’s best that you consult your doctor first before taking in any medication.  It’s also good to remember that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions has not been established. In this article, you’ll learn what are the dietary supplements for Asthma?

Fruits and Vegetables

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? There are many benefits of eating a balanced diet especially if you eat certain types of veggies and fruits. Increasing in these foods can surely help you manage asthma symptoms. According to research, eating fruit and veggies is link in lowering the risk of wheezing and also reduces severity of asthma. It also linked high vegetable intakes with a lower risk of prevalent asthma.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  There’s no evidence exactly on how veggies and fruits help people with asthma but there are some findings that some fruits and veggies do have anti – inflammatory and anti – oxidants that is good for patients. There are also studies that focused on the body’s immunity, and it found that fruit and veggie diet had a protective effect on the lung’s airways to avoid inflammation.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? There are different research that also link specific fruits and veggies to benefiting asthma patients but more proof is needed on which specific nutrients could be most beneficial for asthma. For instance, one study that included around 68,000 women found that those who eat a lot of leafy veggies, tomatoes and carrots have lower asthma prevalence.

Other studies suggest that the symptoms of asthma can be due to a low intake of fruit, manganese and vitamin C. Kiwi, strawberries, and bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, while sweet potatoes and leafy greens are sources of manganese. Daily intake of fruits and vegetables in childhood is also associated with a lower risk of asthma.

Turmeric and Curcumin

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? Turmeric is a popular spice that’s commonly used in Asian cuisines. It contains an ingredient known as curcumin which is also found in curries. According to research, curcumin has anti – inflammatory effects and it’s also an effective supplement for people with asthma though more evidence is needed.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  A small study of patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma found that those given 500 mg curcumin capsules daily for 30 days showed improvements in lung functioning, including forced exploratory volume (FEV1). If taken in smaller amounts, fresh or ground turmeric can be added to foods because it not just won’t add flavor but the active compound can help decrease risk of inflammation. It’s also better absorbed if combined with black pepper.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? One of the inflammation sources that are found in people’s diets is known as arachidonic acid. This is usually found in certain foods, such as egg yolks, shellfish, and meat. Eating less of these foods is thought to decrease inflammation and asthma symptoms.

According to a study in Germany, researchers examined around 500 children and found out that asthma is more prevalent for kids with high levels of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid can also be produced in our bodies.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  A strategy that helps reduce this level is to increase intake of beneficial fats such as EPA which is found from fatty fishes, fish oil, primrose oil and borage seed oil. Omega – 3 fatty acid capsules are usually sold in online health stores, drug stores and health food stores. Make sure to look for fish oil as an active ingredient with EPA and DHA on the label. If you want to reduce the aftertaste after taking fish oil then it’s best to take it before meals.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? Omega-3 fatty acid capsules may interact with blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin and aspirin. Side effects may include indigestion or diarrhea. At high doses, omega-3 fatty acids can slow blood clotting and increase your risk of bleeding.

Honey

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?According to a research in 2019 from the Journal of Medicinal Food; they concluded that no strong evidence supports honey being effective in controlling asthma. But the study did find improvements in the function of lungs including the forced exploratory volume especially when it is combined with celery seed or sativa seeds. The studies were small and most lacked controls, so more research is needed to explore these potential combinations of honey and seeds.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  As you may know, honey has been used for centuries as a natural cough remedy. There are studies that show how a spoonful of honey can help lessen symptoms of cough both for kids and adults. This is because it acts as a demulcent which is a substance that coats the throat and relieves irritation of mucus membranes. It also contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that may help support healing.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? There was another study that compared honey’s effects versus cough meds on kids’ nightly coughing, and it found that honey provides much greater relief compared to antihistamine and other cough medicines. It’s possible that those with asthma who experience nighttime coughing may see some benefits in symptoms with a 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.

Ginger

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma? Ginger can be consumed fresh or the dried root can be used to add flavor to meals. It can also be taken in tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, and teas. Side effects are mild and can include abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and gas. It is still unknown if ginger interacts with any medications, but some suspect that it may interact anticoagulants.

Garlic

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  While the use of garlic for asthma hasn’t been studied in asthma directly, research suggests that raw garlic and garlic extracts have anti-inflammatory properties. It’s unknown if this would offer any benefit for conditions related to inflammation, such as asthma. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic are reduced when heated. The amounts of garlic usually eaten in foods is generally safe. Although, some people may have allergic reactions to garlic. Side effects, particularly for raw garlic, include breath and body odor, heartburn, and upset stomach.

Garlic supplements can interact with some drugs, including Invirase (saquinavir) that’s used to treat HIV. It may also increase the What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  risk of bleeding, which may be an issue for those on blood thinners, such as Coumadin (warfarin). 

Butterbur

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  Butterbur is a perennial shrub that grows in Europe, Asia, and North America. The active constituents are petasin and isopetasin, which are believed to reduce smooth muscle spasm and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  Researchers the effects of butterbur in people with allergic asthma who were also using inhalers. They found that butterbur added to the anti-inflammatory effect of the inhalers. Another study examined the use of butterbur root extract in 80 people with asthma for four months. The number, duration, and severity of asthma attacks decreased and symptoms improved after using butterbur. More than 40 percent of people using asthma medication at the start of the study reduced their intake of medication by the end of the study.

What are the dietary supplements for Asthma?  Side effects of butterbur may include indigestion, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease should not take butterbur.