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Fruit, Fish Aids Teens Fight Asthma?

Submitted by Stella Morgan on October 15, 2010

Asthma Nutrition

If you are suffering from asthma, you are probably wondering if certain foods trigger your asthma attack or if other foods can help you treat your asthma symptoms. While research continues on asthma diet that can help relieve symptoms, experts believe that certain foods that promote lung health restrict triggers that may cause an attack and help strengthen the immune system may provide a solution.
If you are suffering from asthma, nutrition in the form of vegetables and fruits may be a healthy choice. Antioxidants found in certain vegetables and fruits may promote lung health by reducing the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamins B and C may prevent lung inflammation, which triggers an asthma attack.

As part of your asthma diet, it may also help to keep a close watch on what food items trigger an attack. Certain foods containing food additives like sulphites may cause asthma.


Shrimp, wine, pickles and chutney, dried fruit, and certain processed foods contain traces of sulphites. Overweight or obese individuals who suffer from asthma may see a drop in the number of attacks if they lose weight through a healthy, balanced diet along with regular exercise.

Asthma and kids’ diet. Recent studies related to asthma in children also link diet as a factor to prevent incidences of wheezing. As in adults, obese or overweight children have higher incidences of wheezing.


Research also shows that junk food such as burgers cooked in bacon grease, margarine, and so on pose a risk of allergy or food sensitivity among children suffering from asthma. Kids’ diet lacking in vegetables, fruits, and fish is another cause of children suffering from asthma. Meat, poultry, and diary are not cause for worry consumed in moderation.


However, cooked in trans fat and harmful fatty acids they could be a problem. Encourage your child to eat more whole grain products in the place of meat.

There are fewer incidents of asthma in children where diet conforms to healthy eating choices. Ensure that your child eats cooked and raw vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, and seafood.


When looking after a child with asthma, a kids diet for asthma would be advisable.  Many pediatricians believe that a Mediterranean-style meal plan may help prevent asthma in kids. The food for asthma would consist of grilled fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, which are significantly higher in omega 3 fatty acids. Fresh vegetables and fruits would provide the necessary nutrients like vitamins, calcium, minerals, and fiber. 
A diet revision will help both children and their parents understand what causes increase in asthma. Even if an asthma diet cannot cure symptoms, it may at least prevent high incidences of an asthma attack.

Improper eating pattern and an imbalance in the dietary pattern has given rise to many complications in teens. Teenagers suffer from many complications, such as asthma, providing them with a poor immunity power. A balanced diet comprising of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products is essential in maintaining proper health. A physical state accompanied by increased oxidative stress is referred to as asthma. Asthma symptoms are alleviated by vitamin C in fruits. Breathlessness is a common symptom of asthma and this is attributed to the airway passage inflammation, thereby restricting the amount of airflow.

Tightness of the chest, cough, breathlessness and wheezing are typical symptoms. Antioxidants, such as flavanoids in fruits and selenium rich foods prove beneficial for alleviating asthma. Omega 3 fatty acids in fishes also prove beneficial. Research reveals a decreased pulmonary functioning and respiratory issues in those teenagers with reduced omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin C in their diet. Vitamin C in fruits helps in neutralizing the free radicals and thus prevents oxidative damage. It decreases the degree of severity of diseases such as, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and asthma. Consumption of fruits and vegetables on a regular basis, reduce the probability of stroke, heart diseases and degenerative diseases, such as cancer.

Optimal lung functioning in later stages of life depends on teen lung function. Lung function score are decreased in bronchitis. Increased antioxidant intake is effective against asthma. Inflammation and blockage of the respiratory passages is the most common underlying cause for asthma. Intervention commences with treating the inflammation. Studies reveal the non-existence of vegetables and fruits in teen diet, attributing for the deficiency of omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, such as, beta carotene, vitamin A and E. Five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits are recommended for abstinence from diseases and infections.

Decrease in omega 3 fatty acids is associated with raised incidence of wheezing, breathlessness, asthma and chronic bronchitis. Less than 5.2 milligrams of vitamin E per day increases the risk of asthma. 22 mg and lesser intake of omega 3 fatty acids, on an everyday basis is an hindrance in respiratory function, thereby resulting in bronchitis, wheezing and breathlessness. Fish oil consists of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thes act as hindrancesin the synthesis of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, thereby decreasing the production of cytokines. Fish oil supplementation raises the threshold levels of acetyl choline and reduces the asthma scores.

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