Asthma natural treatment with
herbs, vitamins, and supplements, role of diet and food
October 1 2017
by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Information
on alternative therapy
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory airways that affects 15 million people in the United States. An estimated 5 million children have this airway disease, which makes it the most common chronic disease of childhood. You will find more information about the causes, symptoms and commonly used medications later, but for now I want to discuss some natural remedies the medical profession has yet to address. Integrative treatment approaches with some evidence for benefit in asthma treatment include the following: nutrition modification, mind-body medicine, physical activity, and certain dietary supplement interventions.
Natural treatment for asthma research studies,
home remedy
There is little doubt that diet and lifestyle, along with herbal and nutritional
methods can have an influence on asthma symptoms and severity. However, research
is still too early to make any firm recommendations. In the meantime, I want
to share with you some of the preliminary research I have come across. This
information is not meant to replace your doctor's advice, however, you could
inform your doctor about these natural asthma treatment options and he or she could learn more about them
to see if they would be helpful to you.
Diet and food, what you eat influences how you breathe
Children who eat three or more burgers a week are at a higher risk of asthma and
wheezing, but a healthy diet rich in fruit and fish seems to stave off the risk.
A meat-heavy diet itself has no bearing on the prevalence of asthma. Yet,
frequent burger eating could be a signal for other lifestyle factors which raise
the risk. Could it be the white bread, fries, and sodas associated with eating
burgers?
Eat more cold water fish with high content of
fish oils. Eating oily fish like salmon, halibut, sardines (packed in mustard or
tomato sauce, not oil), or tuna regularly may reduce the risk of asthma
symptoms. Children who eat lots of amounts of whole grain products and fish seem
to have a reduced risk of developing asthma. The rise in the prevalence of
asthma in western societies may be related to changed dietary habits. Studies of
children have shown that asthma is less likely with increasing intake of
fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, and fish. Teens who don't eat
enough fruit and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids are more likely to suffer
from bronchitis, wheezing and asthma.
Mothers who have a higher intake of fish and fish oils in pregnancy
are likely to have children with a lower incidence of asthma symptoms. Infants
who begin fish consumption after the age of 6 months may fare better.
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Have a wide variety of produce, preferably
organic. People who eat plenty of tomatoes, carrots, leafy greens and other
vegetables appear less likely to have asthma. Though it's uncertain whether the
foods are the reason, the findings suggest that some or many vegetables may
protect against adulthood asthma. A number of studies have suggested that
antioxidants or certain other nutrients in plant foods may help prevent or
ameliorate asthma and other allergic conditions. Carrots, tomato juice, spinach
and other vegetables contain nutrients called carotenoids and flavonoids.
A key ingredient in the aroma from citrus
fruits such as oranges and lemons appears to protect rats from the symptoms of
asthma. The citrus ingredient is called limonene, and it likely protects by "burning" inhaled ozone, which can increase inflammation in the lungs.
Other scents - such as those emitted from pine trees, geraniums and roses -
contain similar ingredients to limonene, which may help explain why asthma is
much more common in urban areas that lack vegetation. Squeezing an orange peel
releases liquid that contains a high concentration of limonene.
Reduce hydrogenated and trans fats which are often found in pastries, cookies,
cakes, etc.
Reduce omega-6 oils such as corn, safflower, and sunflower. Substitute a little
bit of flax or olive oil.
Have hot soup and tea -- warm liquids lessen severity
Obese adults with asthma are at risk for having more severe, persistent disease
relative to their leaner counterparts, therefore weight loss could help.
While exercise can trigger symptoms in some people, there is also evidence that
physically active asthmatics tend to have better overall control than their
sedentary counterparts. European Respiratory Journal, online June 7, 2010.
Supplements that may be helpful: Click on
each link for more information and to find high quality online store where you
can purchase these products.
If you don't like fish, consider taking fish oil capsules.
Fish oil supplements may,
in some people,
help reduce the severity of asthma, including exercise-induced asthma.
Vitamin C or ascorbic
acid, make sure you have at least 100 mg to 500 mg a day.
Vitamin D is suggested at a dose of 400 to 2000 iu a day depending on your sun
exposure.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2014. Clinical effects of vitamin D in
children with asthma. It appears that children with very low levels have a
higher rate of attacks.
Flavonoids may be helpful,
including Genistein and Quercetin.
These are available as supplements. Flavonoids are found in vegetables, fruits,
and herbs. They have anti-inflammatory activity. See study on genistein below.
Boswellia is an
Ayurvedic herb that has been found to be helpful for asthma. It can also be
combined with curcumin and licorice. We have had individuals email us that
boswellia improved their breathing issues.
Butterbur extract could
be helpful in many people.
Chrysin has been shown in
rodent studies to have anti-inflammatory benefits around bronchioles.
Curcumin and turmeric are of benefit.
Forskolin has been
evaluated in some clinical trials.
Ginkgo biloba herb may help.
Sylimarin may protect
against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. Sylimarin is found in milk
thistle.
Magnesium mineral may
help some individuals.
Alpha Lipoic Acid has been
found to be helpful in one mouse study.
Pycnogenol is a good
option to try, it has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Yoga is helpful
Again, the research in this area is still scant, and I will update this page as
more information becomes available. If you plan to take supplements for asthma, discuss
with your doctor, and learn as much about each one before you take them.
Antioxidants may help you breathe
easier
Antioxidant supplements could ease asthma symptoms
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2003.
Indian scientists who conducted an extensive chemical analysis of blood
samples say that beefing up levels of antioxidants may help thwart symptoms of
the lung disease. Previous research has shown that a disturbance in the balance
between the body's oxidant production--the formation of molecules such as free
radicals that can damage tissue but are a normal byproduct of body
processes--and natural antioxidant defenses is involved in asthmatics'
inflammation response. Antioxidants are a class of chemicals that neutralize
oxidants, and include vitamins C and E and certain substances found in fruits
and vegetables. In the present study, researchers measured the levels of
antioxidants and oxidants in the blood of 38 men and women with asthma and
compared them to levels in blood samples from 23 healthy people. Dr. Ahmad
Nadeem of the University of Delhi and colleagues write that asthmatic patients
showed "alterations in a wide array of oxidants and antioxidants, with balance
shifting toward increased oxidative stress in asthma." The findings suggest, the
authors conclude, that boosting the antioxidant defenses of asthma patients
could be "beneficial."
Boswellia, licorice, and turmeric
Natural anti-inflammatory products and leukotriene inhibitors as complementary
therapy for bronchial asthma.
Clin Biochemistry. 2010.
To assess the efficacy of a combination of Boswellia serrata, licorice root and Tumeric root (Curcuma longa) as natural leukotriene inhibitor,
antiinflammatory and antioxidant products respectively in controlling bronchial
asthma. The study comprised 63 patients with bronchial asthma that are further
subdivided into two groups .Group 1 receiving oral capsule (combined herb) in a
soft-gelatin capsule 3 times daily for 4weeks and group 2 receiving placebo.
Plasma leukotriene C(4), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde levels were
measured and pulmonary function was also assessed in all patients enrolled in
the study. There was a statistically significant decrease in the plasma levels
of leukotriene C(4), malondialdehyde, and NO in target therapy group when
compared with placebo group. The used extract contained Boswellia serrata,
Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza has a pronounced effect in the management of
bronchial asthma.
Fish oils, omega-3 fatty acids
Fish oil and inflammatory disease: is
asthma the next target for n-3 fatty acid supplements?
Nutr Rev. 2004.
Eating fish or taking n-3 fatty acid supplements can decrease the risk and
severity of cardiovascular disease. Recent research suggests that asthma,
another highly prevalent, chronic inflammatory disease, may also respond to fish
oil supplements.
Fish oils, vitamin C, zinc
Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and Zn supplementation in
asthmatic children: a randomized self-controlled study.
Acta Paediatr. 2009. Department of Paediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta,
Egypt.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin
C and Zn in children with moderately persistent asthma. Randomly assigned,
placebo-self-controlled 60 children with moderate persistent asthma completed
the study, were subjected to alternating phases of supplementation with omega-3
fatty acids, vitamin C and Zinc either singly or in combination separated with
washout phases. Diet supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids,
Zinc and vitamin C significantly improved asthma control test, pulmonary
function tests and pulmonary inflammatory markers in children with moderately
persistent bronchial asthma either singly or in combination.
Clinical efficacy of n-3 fatty acid
supplementation in patients with asthma.
J Am Diet Assoc. 2005.
The rising prevalence of asthma is an alarming health concern. The morbidity and
mortality associated with asthma not only disrupts the quality of life, but it
also escalates health care costs. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of
the respiratory tract. An exaggerated production of the arachidonic acid-derived
eicosanoids, leukotrienes, has been implicated as the chemical trigger for
asthma inflammation. n-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to suppress
the synthesis of the n-6 series of leukotrienes by competing and inhibiting the
metabolism of arachidonic acid. The results from epidemiological studies
suggested that fish consumption was beneficially associated with lung function
and prevalence of asthma. The data generated from clinical trials, however,
indicated that n-3 fatty acid supplementation did not consistently improve
severity of asthma symptoms, lung functions, airway responsiveness, and
medication use in asthmatic patients. Leading organizations have not included
nutrition as part of the management guidelines for asthma. Meanwhile, regular
fish consumption at least three times per week should be highly encouraged as
part of a well-balanced diet and to meet the adequate intake levels established
for n-3 fatty acids in asthma patients.
Ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and childhood asthma.
Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Asthma. 2004.
We found evidence for a modulatory effect of the dietary n-6:n-3
fatty acid ratio on the presence of asthma in children. Our results provide
evidence that promotion of a diet with increased n-3 fatty acids and reduced n-6
fatty acids to protect children against symptoms of asthma is warranted.
cause of asthma.
Ginkgo biloba
In vitro effects of
astaxanthin combined with
ginkgolide B on T lymphocyte activation in peripheral blood mononuclear
cells from asthma subjects.
J Pharmacol Sci. 2004.
This study was undertaken to identify novel approaches to
pharmacological treatment of asthma. Here we hypothesize that the
platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist ginkgolide B (GB) in
combination with the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin suppresses T
cell activation comparably to two commonly-used antihistamines: cetirizine
dihydrochloride and azelastine. Our results suggest that astaxanthin and GB
may have application as novel anti asthma formulations.
Melatonin to improve sleep problems
Melatonin Improves Sleep in Asthma: A Randomized, Double-blind,
Placebo-controlled Study.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Twenty-two consecutive asthmatic women were randomized to receive melatonin 3 mg or placebo for four weeks. Sleep quality and daytime somnolence
were assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness
Scale, respectively. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. Use of
relief medication, asthma symptoms and morning and evening peak expiratory flow
rate (PEFR) were recorded daily. Melatonin treatment significantly improved
subjective sleep quality, as compared to placebo. No significant
difference in asthma symptoms, use of relief medication and daily PEFR was found
between groups. We conclude that melatonin can improve sleep in patients with
asthma.
Vitamin D
Dr. E. Rand Sutherland at National Jewish Health in Denver
studied 54 nonsmoking asthmatics. Their mean serum vitamin
D level was 28 ng/mL, and 24 were receiving inhaled corticosteroids. Higher
vitamin D levels were associated with greater lung function. For each ng/mL
increase in vitamin D, FEV1 rose by 21 mL on average. The relationship between
FEV1 and vitamin D was stronger in patients who were not receiving inhaled
corticosteroids. Patients with vitamin D concentrations below 30 ng/mL had
significantly greater airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge than
patients with adequate vitamin D concentrations. Normalizing vitamin D levels in
patients with asthma may improve multiple parameters of asthma severity and
treatment response, according to Dr. E. Rand Sutherland. Am J Respiratory
Critical Care Med 2010.
Additional supplements that may play a role in asthma
Borage Oil is
available as a supplement
Funtumia elastica herb
is from Africa
Lobelia herb
Lyprinol is a mussel
extract
Perilla seed oil
Pycnogenol is a
polyphenol
TSUMURA SAIBOKU-TO --
Combination of 10 different herbs.
Asthma triggers include
Avoid or reduce exposure to allergens or asthma triggers listed below:
Additives to alcoholic beverages or foods — metabisulfites, MSG, tartazine (yellow
dye #5), yeast, sulfite additives in wine.
Cured meats are high in chemicals called nitrites to keep them from
spoiling. These meats have been linked to a higher risk of other chronic
diseases, including cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Allergens from animal dander, cockroaches, dust mites or mold spores, pollen
(trees, grass, weeds), indoor and outdoor pollutants. People with asthma caused
by allergies to a pet may have to choose between their furry friend or better
health. Removing the pet from the home is more effective than even optimal drug
therapy in reducing wheezing and airway constriction. A tailored approach,
involving cockroach extermination and using air cleaners to reduce dust, smoke
and levels of other indoor allergens may consequently reduce asthma symptoms in
inner-city children. Vacuum cleaners with "high-efficiency particulate-air"
filters or HEPA filters are no better than basic vacuum cleaners at reducing an
individual's exposure to dust mites in the home. Dust mites, which infest even
the cleanest homes and thrive in bedding and carpets, disrupt the protective
function of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to other allergens and irritants in
the environment. House dust mites and their droppings have long been linked to
attacks of asthma and eczema. Mites and their feces contain an enzyme which
destroys the protective function of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to other
irritants.
For children at higher-than-average risk of asthma, having a dog
around the house may increase the chances of developing the lung disease.
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, March, 2010.
Foods such as eggs, milk, nuts, soy, wheat and peanut. Toddlers who consume
large amounts of margarine and foods fried in vegetable oil may be twice as
likely to develop asthma as their peers who eat less of these foods.
Fungi indoors and outdoors - Airborne fungi are increasingly being
seen as a risk factor. High
levels of such fungi are found in inner city homes with cats, cockroaches, and
dampness problems. The most common species found outdoors and indoors was Cladosporium, followed by Penicillium and Aspergillus. The strongest predictor
of high indoor fungi levels, compared with outdoor levels, was having a cat live
in the home within the last six months. Evidence of cockroaches in the child's
bedroom was linked with high levels of Aspergillus, whereas dampness in the
bedroom was tied to high levels of Cladosporium.
In a study of workers at one leaky, mold-contaminated office
building, U.S. government researchers found that the rate of adult-onset asthma
among employees was more than three times the norm for the general population.
Two-thirds of these cases were diagnosed after the employees had started working
in the building.
Children are more likely to have breathing problems when living in
homes that are moldy.
Changes in humidity or barometric pressure.
Diseases such as GERD, sinusitis, rhinitis, viral infections, hyperthyroidism.
Drugs -- aspirin, NSAIDs, beta blockers, sulfites, and estrogen. Estrogen-only
hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing asthma after the
menopause. There is some thought that acetaminophen or Tylenol use may increase
the rik.
Irritants and air pollution -- tobacco smoke, wood-burning, perfumes, cleaning agents, carbon
dioxide, pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone. Children
who live near a busy road may be at increased risk of wheezing, a symptom of
asthma. Exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of death among people
with severe asthma. Almost 100 million people in 21 U.S. states breathe
unhealthy levels of tiny particles spewed by coal-burning power plants, cars and
factories.
Even in rural areas, exposure to ozone appears to have a harmful
impact in kids with asthma. Ozone is formed from byproducts of fossil fuel
combustion in the presence of sunlight. In the outer atmosphere, ozone helps
prevent harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching Earth's surface. But on the
ground, ozone, a major constituent of smog, irritates the airways and makes the
eyes burn.
Breathing in traffic-related pollutants is harmful for kids and
adults. There is a link between asthma that develops in adulthood and increased
exposure to traffic-related pollutants.
Chronic exposure to outdoor air pollutants reduces lung function as
measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Some of the pollutants
in air, particulate matter <10 um in diameter, include nitrogen dioxide,
sulfur dioxide, and ozone.
Air pollution, which tends to inflame the airways in people with
asthma, reduces the effectiveness of the rescue inhalers people count on for
quick relief of their respiratory symptoms.
As daily levels of ozone and pollutants from vehicle exhaust climb,
so do children's emergency-room visits for asthma attacks.
Pesticides can trigger or worsen asthma in farmers. The
following pesticides are associated with the allergic variety of asthma:
Coumaphos, EPTC, lindane, parathion, heptachlor, and 2,4,5-TP are most strongly
linked to allergic asthma. For non-allergic asthma, DDT, malathion, and phorate
have the strongest effect.
Physical triggers -- exercise, hyperventilation, cold air.
Physiological factors - stress, psychological factors. Stress of finals may worsen
the symptoms of asthma.
People who regularly feel stressed out by their jobs may have a
higher risk of developing asthma than those with a more-relaxed work atmosphere.
Allergy, online April 27, 2010.
Environmental control measures include removing carpets from the patient’s
bedroom and living areas, weekly washing of bedding and clothing in hot water,
specially designed mattress and pillow covers, removing stuffed animals, keeping
pets outdoors. Quilts made of synthetic fibers like polyester might trigger
wheezing in some children with asthma. Inner-city families can help
relieve children's asthma symptoms by making simple changes in their homes. Such
steps include using pillow covers that are impermeable to dust mites, and air
purifiers to get rid of tobacco smoke, mold and cat or dog allergens.
Indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from gas-fueled stoves, even at levels well below the Environmental Protection Agency outdoor standard, may cause respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children living in multi-family housing units. Chronic exposure to indoor nitrogen dioxide is a public health concern, in part, because more than half the households in the US have a source of NO2, usually a gas-fueled cooking appliance.
Housework may raise the risk for asthma if exposed to high
amounts of common cleaning sprays and air fresheners. Perhaps natural cleaners
would not raise the risk as much. Reduce your exposure to air fresheners,
furniture cleaners and glass-cleaners. Exposure to fumes emitted by cleaning products in the home could cause asthma
in children.
Avoid indoor swimming pools due to the high chlorine vapors which can damage
lung tissue and aggravate asthma. Swimming in outdoor chlorinated pools appears
to increase the odds a child will develop asthma. Children who start swimming
before the age of 2 may be at increased risk of a common infant lung infection,
and possibly asthma and respiratory allergies later in life. Exposure to
chlorinated pools may affect children's respiratory health -- particularly if
they have a family history of asthma or respiratory allergies like hay fever.
European Respiratory Journal, online January 14, 2010.
Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol). The common painkiller acetaminophen -- better
known as Tylenol in the U.S. -- may be causing a worldwide increase in asthma.
According to one study, acetaminophen could be responsible for as many as four
in 10 cases of wheezing and severe asthma in teens. While no one knows if the
drug causes asthma by itself, another report -- published along with the first
study -- shows for the first time that many toddlers took acetaminophen before
they developed asthma symptoms such as wheezing. American Journal of Respiratory
and Critical Care Medicine 2010.
Bleaching agents widely used in hair salons put hair stylists at risk of asthma
and inflammation of the eyes, nose and throat.
Nurses are more likely to develop asthma, and so are cleaners. Exposure to certain cleaning chemicals, bioaerosols, mites, agricultural products, and latex in the workplace raise the risk of developing asthma.
Rain brings pollen to the ground. But thunderstorms trigger asthma outbreaks since pollen is dispersed by strong winds.
Asthma medicines and medications
Asthma may be classified as mild, moderate, or persistent. Patients with
persistent asthma require medications that provide long-term control of their
disease and medications that provide quick relief of symptoms. Medications for
long-term control of asthma include inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn,
nedocromil, leukotriene modifiers and long-acting bronchodilators. Inhaled
corticosteroids remain the most effective anti-inflammatory medications in the
treatment of asthma. Quick-relief medications include short-acting beta2
agonists, anticholinergics and systemic corticosteroids. Some 60 percent of people
who use steroids long term for asthma and other diseases will develop a mood
disorder, such as depression or manic depression.
Inhaled steroid therapy is commonly used to treat asthmatic children with persistent, daily wheezing episodes. However, the powerful medicines may not be needed on a daily basis for kids whose wheezing occurs sporadically, such as when they catch a cold.
A 2014 safety study done by the maker of the asthma drug
omalizumab (Xolair) suggests it poses increased risks for heart attacks and
mini-strokes known as TIAs (transient ischemic attacks), Medscape Medical News:
"FDA Warns of Small Cardio, Cerebrovasular Risk with Xolair."
Anxiety, Panic
Individuals with asthma appear to have an increased risk of developing panic
disorder, and the presence of panic disorder predicts subsequent asthma
activity.
Cause
There are several causes of asthma, the most common is allergic:
Due to allergy (extrinsic/ atopic) - This type of asthma usually
starts in childhood and is often preceded by eczema. But most of the young
adults developing asthma also fall in this category. Genetic factors play a
significant role. In this type of asthma the allergen leads to production of
excessive (IgE) immunoglobulins.
Due to an infection - This is not hereditary or allergic asthma, but
may be caused by, or at least associated with upper respiratory tract or
bronchial infection which is usually viral.
Due to damage to lungs from smoking or
inhaling smoke.
Psychological factors (like anxiety, emotional stress etc) are often
considered to be the sole cause of some asthma attacks, but it is still not
certain whether it can be the sole cause or is only a precipitating factor.
Occupational asthma - This type can occur in certain industries in
which there is exposure to metallic dusts (esp. platinum salts), biological
detergents, toluene diisocyanate, polyurethane, flour and dust from grains etc.
Prescription and non prescription medications - Regular use of the painkiller acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is associated with higher rates of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reduced lung function. Animal experiments have suggested that acetaminophen might lower antioxidant activity in the lungs, and causes harm to the liver. Why is acetaminophen still available for sale without a prescription?
High blood eosinophil count is associated with more frequent asthma attacks in patients.
Breastfeeding
Sticking to a strict diet of mom's milk during the first 4 months of life may
reduce a child's risk of developing asthma by their eighth birthday. The Journal
of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, April 15, 2010.
Research shows that
breastfeeding does
reduce the later risk for asthma.