Can food trigger asthma? Research has not reached a definitive conclusion yet, but some points make an impact on the disease. There is no diet plan to treat or eliminate asthma, but there are some things you can do to help.
Asthma is a serious chronic lung disease that causes inflammation airways in the lungs. In asthma: The inner walls of the airways are usually swollen, inflamed, sensitive, and irritated, so with the littlest contact with the allergens, the airways and lungs get constricted, and when asthma attacks happen, airways become inflamed, making it hard to breathe.
What Are Asthma Symptoms?
- Wheezing
- Cough: especially at night, when laughing, or during exercise
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- difficulty talking
- anxiousness or panic
- fatigue
Asthma symptoms depend on the type of disease. Everyone with asthma doesn’t experience all of these symptoms. On the other hand, having one of them does not mean that you have the disease, but it is better to take the signs seriously.
What Causes Asthma?
The exact cause of this disease hasn’t been discovered yet, but it seems that a combination of environmental, genetic (hereditary), and History of viral infection factors plays a role in its occurrence.
Asthma Triggers
The substance which causes an asthma attack is the trigger for asthma. The stimulus triggers reactions in the body that eventually narrow the airways and trigger an asthma attack, making it difficult to breathe. Exposure to a variety of stimulants can cause symptoms. Some asthma triggers include:
- Allergies
- Food and food additives
- Exercise
- Heartburn
- Smoking
- Sinusitis
- Medications
- Weather
- Smoke
Asthma and obesity
Obesity increases the risk of asthma. On the other hand, asthma is more severe and more difficult to treat in obese people. Fat tissue also produces inflammatory substances that affect the lungs and play a role in the occur asthma.
The Asthma and Your Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid
Although there is no specific diet for treating asthma, a proper diet is a primary part of an asthma treatment program. Just like regular exercise, appropriate nutrition is essential for everyone’s health. Overweight is also associated with severe asthma. So a healthy diet to maintain a balanced weight is a significant step in the treatment of asthma. Besides, most doctors believe that certain foods have a direct effect on asthma.
Food to Add
Vitamin D-rich foods
In many patients with severe asthma, blood vitamin D levels are lower than usual. Vitamin D is effective in improving lung function. Getting the right amount of it is effective in reducing asthma.
Sources of vitamin D include:
- salmon
- milk and fortified milk
- fortified orange juice
- eggs
If you have an allergy to milk or eggs, you should eliminate these items from your diet because some types of asthma make by allergenic foods.
Magnesium-rich foods
Magnesium intake plays an important role in controlling asthma because patients with asthma have lower blood magnesium levels than others.
Good sources of Magnesium include
- spinach
- pumpkin seeds
- Swiss chard
- dark chocolate
- salmon
Vitamin A
People with asthma usually have lower levels of vitamin A. Increasing vitamin A also makes the lungs function better. A healthy diet containing this vitamin is beneficial for improving shortness of breath.
Good sources of vitamin A include:
- carrots
- cantaloupe
- sweet potatoes
- leafy greens, such as romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach
- broccoli
Apple
Research has shown that this fruit is also beneficial for the lungs. Researchers believe that compounds in apples called flavonoids may be the reason for this positive effect. Flavonoids can open the airways.
Also, read: 10 Amazing Health Benefit of Apples(The Best Tips To Know )
Banana
Banana is high content of antioxidants and potassium, can improve lung function and reduce wheezing.
Carrot
Carrots are known to have beta-carotene, an antioxidant, which research has shown beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body and can prevent exercise-induced asthma. Carrot pigments are also essential for keeping the eyes and the immune system at their best and can even help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. You can find Beta-carotene in other colorful fruits and vegetables, including apricots, green peppers, and sweet potatoes.
Garlic
From ancient times the garlic was considered medicine to cure many kinds of diseases. It has anti-inflammatory compounds. Garlic contains Allicin which is an extremely powerful antioxidant. Research has shown that when Allicin enters the body, it produces an acid that eliminates free radicals. This property helps to cure asthma.
Foods to avoid
Sulfites
It is a type of preservative that can make asthma worse, and it finds in these foods:
- Dried fruits
- Pickles and salt
- maraschino cherries
- Shrimp
- Lemon juice
Foods that make gas
Overeating or consuming foods that make gas puts pressure on the diaphragm. When you have acid reflux can lead to chest tightness and trigger asthma.
- beans
- cabbage
- carbonated drinks
- onions
- garlic
- fried foods
Food allergies
Some people are allergic to certain foods, and if they eat a small amount of these foods, they involve with severe allergies and anaphylactic attacks. Some common allergens include:
- dairy products
- shellfish
- wheat
- tree nuts
Summary
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