Diet can help your asthma symptoms
Asthma is a condition which causes shortness of breath due to the inflammation of the air passages in . As these passages become inflamed, the muscles in your lungs tighten and produce mucus which keeps air from getting to your lungs. Signs of an asthma attack can be anything from light wheezing to gasping for breath. While asthma is an incurable disease, there are ways to help control it, including through changes in your diet.
Basic Diet Rules
To start, the diet of an asthmatic patient should light and balanced. According to Mayoclinic.com, make sure you get plenty of vegetables and avoid foods with saturated fat. Make sure you do not overload on food especially at dinner as your body is beginning to go into its resting period. An ideal diet for an asthmatic should have a small amount of carbohydrates, fats and proteins with a majority of foods with alkaline, like vegetables. An asthmatic should also stay away from any alcohol and tobacco (especially smoking) intake.
Foods to Avoid
There are some foods which are known to trigger asthma attacks due to an allergic reaction. These foods include ones which contain the additive benzoate, sulfite or gallates. An asthma patient should also avoid foods containing yeast like bread or blue cheese, foods containing the artificial colorings E102, E104 and E110, cow's milk, cereals, eggs, fish, soy and nuts. These foods can produce an allergic reaction in some people, and also can produce an excess of phlegm in the lungs which might help to block air passages, making an attack easier to have. Also, try to stay away from foods with Vitamin D. According to a study done by the Harvard Medical School, Vitamin D has been shown to assist with high rates of asthma related hospitalization and hyperactive air passages in children.
Foods that May Help
While coffee is not normally recommended because it is difficult to digest, it has been found to help during an attack due to the caffeine. Other foods can help dilate the air passages and thin mucus production, helping asthmatics to breathe easier. Chili, hot mustard, garlic and onions all help with this due to their spiciness. They act to stimulate the nerves in your mouth, throat and lungs, which results in water discharge. The fluid helps to keep the passages clear. Other foods help to control inflammation of the bronchial passages by acting as anti-inflammatory, including onions, foods with omega-3 fatty acids, and foods rich in vitamin C.
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