Diet for the Asthmatic

Overview

More than 22 million people in the United States have asthma. It is a chronic lung disease that causes narrow, inflamed airways that cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Asthma doesn't have a cure, but you can help manage your symptoms and reduce the effect of asthma by making some simple dietary changes.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and veggies are an outstanding source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene. In asthma, inflammation in your lung tissue might be caused by free radicals. These free radicals come from your own metabolism and from pollutants such as smog and cigarette smoke. By increasing the amount of antioxidants in your diet you help to neutralize the effects of these free radicals on your lung tissue and reduce your inflammation.

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Avoid Food Additives

You might find that asthma attacks are triggered by particular foods, especially food additives such as sulfites. This varies widely from person to person, so the things that trigger your asthma attacks might not lead to attacks in other people. Sulfites in particular are well known as a trigger and can be found in dried fruits, wine, pickles and shrimp.

Eat Foods High in Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is a well-known factor in the severity of asthma symptoms. Foods that are high in magnesium can help you correct a deficiency and ease your symptoms. Magnesium helps to relax the bronchial airways and allow more air to pass through. Foods high in magnesium include grains such as buckwheat, oat bran, whole wheat, barley; nuts, including almonds, cashews, pine nuts and brazil nuts; and some vegetables such as artichokes, spinach and tomatoes.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You have probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids, especially fish oils, being used to prevent and treat heart disease. They are strongly anti-inflammatory and that effect helps if you suffer from asthma. Studies have shown that adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help you improve your lung function tests and decrease your overall level of inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are most easily found from fish oils, but can also be found in hemp milk, walnuts, flax seeds, beans, olive oil, and winter squash.

Say Goodbye to Trans-Fats

You know you're not supposed to eat trans fats for a variety of reasons, but if you have asthma, the reasons just got more compelling. Trans fats are found mostly in fast food, highly processed food, commercially baked goods and greasy snacks such as potato chips or microwave popcorn. Studies have shown that kids who have high trans-fat diets are far more likely to develop asthma than their peers.