Just like regular exercise, a healthy diet is the key to good health. And the same applies for asthma. But if you are looking for a diet plan to manage the symptoms of asthma, then let us tell you there is no special diet that will treat asthma. However, there are certain foods which can help improve lung function. So here are the list of nutrients which people with asthma must add to their diet without fail.
Vitamin D-rich foods: If you or your kid has asthma then increase your intake of Vitamin D as it is proved to help. A 2017 study[1] found that intake of Vitamin D reduced flare ups of asthma by a whopping 300% in children. Moreover, it also helps in reducing the number of asthma attacks in kids over a short period of time. Another study in the journal of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology[2] revealed that Vitamin D supplementation in adults significantly reduced the severity of the condition and also showed an improvement in lung function tests. Include sources of Vitamin D-rich foods such as eggs, salmon, fortified foods in your diet.
Vitamin A-rich foods: A recent study[3] on the role of Vitamin A supplementation and asthma in children found that Vitamin A aids in asthma control. It was reported that children with asthma typically manifest deficiency of this vitamin, which is also related to various lung disorders. Vitamin A is important for the normal development and function of lung airways.
Natural sources of Vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, apple, spinach and pumpkin.
Magnesium rich foods: A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology[4] stated that children in the age group of 11 to 19 years with magnesium deficiency had reduced lung function and volume, thus worsening asthma. Hence, to improve the lung function and the condition it is advised to increase the consumption of magnesium through dietary sources such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, banana, dark chocolate and salmon.
It is also seen that magnesium when inhaled through a nebulizer can help manage an asthma attacks[5]. But do consult your doctor to know how effective this method can be for you.
Before taking these vitamin and mineral supplements, it is advised to consult your doctor.
(The article has been reviewed by Dr. Lalit Kanodia, Consultant Pharmacologist)
References:
1. Alansari K, Davidson BL, Yousef KI, Mohamed ANH, Alattar I. Rapid vs Maintenance Vitamin D Supplementation in Deficient Children With Asthma to Prevent Exacerbations. Chest. 2017 Sep;152(3):527-536.
2. Ali AM, Selim S, Abbassi MM, Sabry NA. Effect of alfacalcidol on the pulmonary function of adult asthmatic patients: A randomized trial. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017 May;118(5):557-563.
3. Bai YJ, Dai RJ. Serum levels of vitamin A and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) as reflectors of pulmonary function and quality of life (QOL) in children with stable asthma: A case-control study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Feb;97(7):e9830.
4. Gilliland FD, Berhane KT, Li YF, Kim DH, Margolis HG. Dietary magnesium, potassium, sodium, and children’s lung function. Am J Epidemiol. 2002 Jan 15;155(2):125-31.
5. Schuh S, Sweeney J, Freedman SB, Coates AL, et al; Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Group. Magnesium nebulization utilization in management of pediatric asthma (MagNUM PA) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 May 24;17(1):261.