As you may know, the prevalence of asthma, especially among children, has dramatically risen over the last few decades. One of the thoughts for this pattern has been diet, specifically fast foods and the westernization of many diets around the world.
One particular diet that has been looked at as a potential treatment or dietary modifier of asthma is the Mediterranean diet. A high intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and cereals with a low intake of meats, dairy products, and junk food is thought to be associated with lower rates of asthma and less asthma symptoms. Studies have noted that groups consuming large amounts of high intake foods and avoiding low intake foods accomplishes just that.
What do you think? Have you ever tried a particular diet to improve your asthma? Did it work? Leave a comment and let us know.
Hi Pat!!
Thanks for your post about the Mediterranean diet. In our research, it is clear that the Mediterranean dietary food choices must also include behavioral eating habits.
My guess is that the same thing will be true with asthmatics.
I was diagnosed with asthma six years ago in the spring. I began reading everything that I could about living with asthma. The inhaler that my Doctor prescribed worked in two weeks but I had side effects. Today I take a antihistamine/decongestant twice a day and 1000mg vitamin C twice a day alternately, eat nine have cup servings of fruit and vegetables daily, walk 15000 steps daily(to and from work and at work), keep calm/tai chi and wear a surgical mask to mow grass and around the many smokers in my work department
I occasionally take a diuretic to “dry out my lungs”. If I am careful about my sodium intake, cut back on sugar consumption, I notice I drop the fluid that accumulates in my lungs. When I was on the South Beach diet, I lost accumulated fluid like a sieve. I suspect sodium and sugar control are at the heart of a lot of our medical problems. (I have a terrible sweet tooth.)
I’ve been eating a Mediterranean diet for the past 10 months for the general health benefits and I have noticed that my asthma symptoms have improved quite a bit since changing my diet.
Eating a healthy diet is important for everyone, even if you don’t have asthma. I mean, people who eat fish and lots of fruits and vegetables are always healthier than people who eat burgers, fries, and drink soda every day. “You are what you eat.” Of course diet affects our asthma! It may not be the root cause of asthma, but a poor diet and poor nutrition definitely exacerbate the situation.