Asthma is a chronic illness caused by inflammation of the lung airways that affects over 20 million people in America. Most prevalent in children, asthma also affects many adults and sends over 1 million people to the emergency room annually. Asthma is usually triggered by contact with seasonal allergies, air pollutants, weather, or other illnesses and there are traditional treatments, such as inhalers or allergy shots available.
We recommend following an asthma diet, which consists of foods to help asthma symptoms in conjunction with medicine:
1. Processed foods
Processed food has a big impact on your asthma symptoms. Eating food with lots of chemicals makes it highly probable that you have allergic reactions to them. You’d be surprised when looking at the ingredient list of everyday staple foods, such as cereals, crackers, and condiments, which contain a great amount of preservatives. Try avoiding foods with five or more ingredients which can limit the possibility of chemical food allergies triggering your asthma.
2. Vitamins C and E
Incorporating foods rich with Vitamin C and E, such as fruits and vegetables, can help hard to balance health and rid asthma symptoms. Eating leafy greens and fruits that have high amounts of beta-carotene and other antioxidants can lower inflammation and swelling, which has a big impact on the ability to breathe correctly.
3. The sunshine vitamin
Foods rich in vitamin D are great additions to your diet to combat asthma. Food like eggs, milk, and fish, including salmon, reduce symptoms too, while helping maintain a healthier overall diet. You can also spend limited amounts of time in the sun to get a daily dose of vitamin D. If you are allergic to dairy products, be careful because the allergy symptoms will eventually create harm and can worsen your symptoms.
4. Gas-inducing foods
Foods that cause gas, including garlic, fried foods, and cabbage, should be avoided and can cause acid reflux. Acid reflux causes tightness in your chest, which can influence asthma flare ups. If you cannot exclude these from your diet altogether, be sure to eat them in moderation.
5. Environmental triggers
There are many remedies for asthma, including inhalers and immunotherapy, however it is important to pay attention to environmental triggers and habits that worsen your asthma symptoms. Eating healthier foods and following an asthma diet can help you maintain a lifestyle to help you avoid other asthma triggers, such as obesity, heart disease, and allergies. Consult your doctor about allergies and foods that your body is sensitive to because that information can help you consciously avoid foods that cause lung-inflammation, but your overall body.
