A human body can exist for 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water but only for 3 minutes without air, and still, most people ignore respiratory health. Asthma is one example of a respiratory disease. According to WHO, data gathered in 2019 illustrates that 262 million people were affected by asthma, and almost 4 lakh deaths were noted.
Asthma and diet are the two parallel tracks that must be maintained equally. Any mismatch between these may result in serious conditions. Holding a strong truth behind “You are what you eat” asthma can be managed with proper dietary choices. That is why, eating the best food for asthma helps significantly in alleviating asthma symptoms and lowering the frequency of asthma attacks. The following article will navigate to the linking bridge between asthma and diet and various food alterations to be taken for asthma treatment.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes irregular breathing problems. The airways or bronchial tubes in the lungs become narrow, swollen, and inflamed and may generate extra mucus making it difficult for the air to pass through the airways.
It is very difficult to tolerate Asthma and control its triggers. The common symptoms are:
- Breathlessness
- Coughing
- Wheezing (whistling sound while breathing)
- Suffocation
- Increased heart rate
Who is prone to Asthma?
Asthma can knock the doors of anyone, irrespective of age and gender. However, certain factors indicate a significant risk of Asthma.
1. Gender and Age
Asthma affects children and adults that varies by gender. Childhood asthma affects more boys than girls before the age of 5. Despite any strong evidence, studies suggest that a young boy’s airway size is smaller than a girl’s resulting in an increased risk of asthma. At the age of 20 years (young adult), the ratio of developing asthma is equal between both genders. Adult asthma is generally detected after 40 years of age where the count of females is more than males.
2. Family History
If a parent or sibling suffers from asthma, then the child is more likely to get asthma later in life. According to a study, the chances of asthma in a child increase 6 times if a parent is asthmatic in comparison to children whose parents are not.
3. Smoking
Smoking is injurious to health and leads to asthma. Studies indicate that along with the person who smokes, the surrounding people also get affected. Even the child in the womb might develop asthma after birth if the mother smokes during pregnancy. Additionally, options like nicotine pouches UK can help reduce smoking, which might lessen asthma risks in smokers and those around them.
4. Obesity
An obese person is at higher risk of developing asthma. It is very difficult to control asthma symptoms as it worsens in overweight people.
Linking Bridge between Asthma and Diet
Although there isn’t a single food that can treat asthma, there are certain diets that might improve the condition. Choosing the right food and nutrition can extensively help to minimize asthma symptoms. Also, they strengthen the immune system and improve overall health- lung function too.
Some of the best foods for asthma and the ones to avoid in diet are as follows:
Do’s for Asthma diet
- Fruits and vegetables– include spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, blueberries avocados, etc. in the diet
- Vitamin C– bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, brussels sprouts, apples, etc.
- Vitamin D– kiwi, figs, guava, amla, spinach, bottle gourd, pumpkin, etc.
- Vitamin E– almonds, mustard greens, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, avocado etc.
- Omega-3 fatty acids– chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, brussels sprouts, etc.
- Fibre and protein– include protein and fiber in proper amounts in the diet.
- Magnesium– pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, black beans, spinach, etc.
- Herbal teas– ginger tea, turmeric tea, chamomile tea.
Don’ts for Asthma diet
- Sulfites– The preservative found in wine, dried fruits, pickles, lime juice, etc. which can worsen the asthma symptoms and cause adverse reactions.
- Gastric foods– Beans, carbonated drinks, onions, garlic, fried foods, etc. can cause gas and bloating; pressurizing the diaphragm. This triggers asthma and chest tightness.
- Salicylates– Though rare some people are sensitive to salicylates which are naturally occurring substances found in tea, coffee, and some herbs.
- Artificial ingredients– Asthmatics can be sensitive or allergic to chemical preservatives and artificial coloring in processed food.
- Processed food– Supplements and preservatives are present in highly processed foods which can trigger asthma symptoms. Fast food, sugary snacks, and packaged convenience food are the worst food for asthma.
- Alcohol and caffeine– Asthma can be triggered by its consumption, so it is advised to avoid it.
Conclusion
Asthma can be dangerous and scary, especially when one gets dependent on inhalers. The best solution to control is the alteration in daily lifestyle, eating healthy, and taking proper medication if suggested. One of the best alternatives to safeguard from complications of harsh medicines is the holistic approach of Ayurveda which gives promising results. Dr. Sharda Ayurveda, an ayurvedic hospital with one-to-one patient-doctor interaction and treatment can be considered for asthma treatment. You can consider it for your asthma treatment and breathe happily ever after.
