EVERYDAY FOODS TO RELIEVE ASTHMA

More and more babies, children, adults and elderly suffer from asthma and allergies. Such reactions are linked to nutrient and water deficiencies, insufficient activity and oxygen intake, certain foods, suppressed immunity, and stress, not to mention environmental toxins, drugs, and food additives.

Asthma is not a life-threatening disease, but aggravating, debilitating, and a hindrance to normal life. It inflicts financial burdens on sufferers; exposes them to long-term medication (bronchial-dilators, steroids); and subjects them to hospitalization and school and work absenteeism.

Asthma attacks cause bronchial tube contractions, resulting in restrictive breathing that makes sufferers gasp for air. Asthma treatment starts with allergy tests to exclude allergens in food and chemical substances. The procedure should be done by allergy specialists.

Asthma sufferers should eliminate allergy-promoting foods such as processed foods, medicines, and food additives and coloring like yellow dye #5 (tartrazine). Wheat and dairy products increase mucous secretion, setting on attacks. High dietary tryptophan intake from turkey, chicken, dairy products, soy, and seafood aggravates symptoms.

While certain foods like processed, fried, and fast foods (trans fats, sugar, refined carbohydrates, meat) increase inflammation, others can alleviate asthma by reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and producing natural antihistamines. Alan Gaby, M.D., a nutritional specialist recommends the elimination of the above-mentioned foods and encourages the consumption of the following ones.

Omega-3 fatty acids offer anti-inflammatory protection. Salmon (preferably wild), other fish, and their oils enhance lung functions and relax bronchial contractions triggered by physical exertion. Flax and hemp seeds, walnuts, and canola oil consumption also supply healthy alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Spinach and leafy greens magnesium content relaxes bronchial tube spasm by producing antihistamine-like effect. Because excess salt, soda drinks, refined carbohydrates, and stress deplete magnesium and calcium, a dose of magnesium 400 mg is needed to soothe asthma attacks. Leafy greens, almonds, cashews, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, garlic, crab, and legumes supply magnesium. Vitamins B in spinach also help lower stress.

Hot peppers come next! Because they are high in vitamin C, chilies relieve asthma and inflammation. By mimicking antihistamine action, vitamin C (1,500mg or more with bioflavonoids) alleviates symptoms, suppressing an enzyme that fuels spasms. Peppers and orange-pigment vegetables and fruits are also rich sources of vitamin A, which supports the lungs, thus relieving asthma. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, kiwi, cabbage family, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, watercress, melons, and papayas.

Onions and garlic are two special condiments. In studies, onions showed anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions, suppressing histamines. They contain bioflavonoids like quercetin that inhibit inflammation and allergies. Prostaglandins in onions relax bronchial tubes. Onions have L-cysteine, an amino acid that helps produce glutathione, an immune-boosting antioxidant, which is usually low in asthmatics. Chicken soup made with four whole red onions, one head of garlic, a few slices of ginger root, and a teaspoon of turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory) is healing to sore throats, colds, respiratory infections, and asthma.

Some asthma medications like theophylline deplete B6. High vitamin B6 content of chickpeas (hummus) relieves wheezing and other symptoms in children. Another plus for B6, it repairs damage due to high tryptophan consumption and stress, both asthma aggravators. B6 is available in watercress, brown rice, cabbage family, bananas, peppers, sweet potatoes, fish, squash, asparagus, legumes, onions, seeds, and nuts.

A sample meal for asthma sufferers: Start your meal with the above-mentioned chicken soup; add cut vegetables (carrots, cabbage) to it. Toss some crushed roasted nuts or boiled chickpeas on mixed greens with peppers. Grill a piece of fresh salmon and put it on a bed of steamed spinach with chopped onions, garlic, and herbs. Serve it with a cup of brown rice or sweet potatoes. Finish your meal with a segment of fresh papaya. Drink lots of water, orange and carrot juices, and herbal (chamomile, thyme) infusions and green tea. Enjoy your meal. Bi hana wa shifa!

(Mariam A. Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to mariam.alireza@gmail.com. Log on to arabnews.com for previous articles.)