Effects of Diets on Asthma

When asthma occurs, the airways narrow and swell. The muscles surrounding the airways constrict and the inner lining of the airways produces extra mucus, according to Mayoclinic.com. These symptoms make breathing difficult. The most common asthma signs are coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The impact on daily life can range from a minor nuisance for some people, to major problem disrupting daily activities for others. Asthma attacks can sometimes be life-threatening, particularly when they are associated with allergic reactions.

Oily Fish

Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Treatments include taking steps to avoid particular asthma triggers such as certain foods that are known to cause allergic reactions. Some foods and nutrients are known to protect against asthma. In the Westernized societies, asthma occurrence is on the rise. It has been postulated that the increased prevalence of asthma may be caused by a reduced intake of antioxidant vitamins, including beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E, and minerals essential for antioxidant defense mechanisms as a result of reduced consumption of meat, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables in Western diets. The study led by Linda Hodge from Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and published in 1996 in "The Medical Journal of Australia" indicates that regular consumption of fresh oily fish is associated with a reduced risk of asthma. This reduced risk is regardless of other known risk factors for asthma, including gender, parental asthma, parental smoking, early respiratory infection, ethnicity and place of birth. Oily fish include sardine, salmon, trout, hilsa, anchovy, and mackerel.

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Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most extensively investigated and has been shown in several case-control and cross-sectional studies to be associated with a reduced risk of asthma. In randomized trials, vitamin C given in combination with other antioxidants protects against ozone-induced asthma, according to Foggarty and Britton, in an article published in 2000 "Clinical and Experimental Allergy." The antioxidant effects of vitamin C are widely established. Vitamin C is naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Consistently, high fruit intake has also been demonstrated to reduce risk of asthma, according to an article by Smit, published in the "Respiratory Research" in 2001.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a dietary mineral. It has several biological effects of potential relevance to asthma when given intravenously in acute asthma, according to a study led by Rowe and published in the "The Cochrane Library" in 2004. There is also strong evidence of protection by dietary magnesium against asthma. Foods rich in magnesium include beans, pumpkin seeds and spinach.

Sodium

Sodium is the main component of salt. It plays a vital role in maintaining cellular osmosis and signal transmission. High sodium intake has been associated with increased airway responsiveness. Sodium may exacerbate existing asthma by contributing to muscle contraction in the throat, according to a study led by Carey, published in "Thorax" in 1993. Therefore, asthma patients are advised to be on a sodium-restricted diet.