Diet gun

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways of the respiratory system that can cause a decrease in airflow to and from the lungs.

The main treatment of asthma is with pharmacotherapy, but non-pharmacological interventions, such as diet, can help significantly.

Obesity and asthma

Obesity in patients with asthma is associated with increased severity of asthma, more frequent asthma attacks, reduced asthma control, reduced response of the body to medication and deterioration of quality of life.

All of this is due to inflammatory and metabolic factors, as well as possible disturbances of the microbiome. At the same time, mechanical changes (due to obesity) and genetic factors that may be pre-existing contribute to this multilevel relationship.

Of course, in the event of possible obesity, the patient should use a suitable weight loss diet to lose as much excess weight as possible in order to at least avoid the mechanical changes that worsen asthma.

Foods that help asthma patients

1. Foods that contain vitamin D

It is known that in many pulmonary respiratory diseases there is some form of vitamin D deficiency in the body.

Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, egg yolk, mushrooms and cod liver oil are precious foods for the amount of vitamin D that they contain.

2. Fruits and vegetables

They are a good source of antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamins C and E, which can help reduce swelling and irritation of the lungs that involves possible inflammation and are usually caused by chemicals that destroy cells, the so-called free radicals.

Vegetables are also a very good source of fiber that positively affects the intestinal microbiome. The intestinal microbiome is linked to lung function through the intestinal-lung axis. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiome affect the physical and therefore the immune response of the lungs.

Foods to avoid in patients with asthma

1. Avoid foods that cause allergies

Allergic reactions to foods can cause asthma symptoms.

The main allergenic foods are mainly milk, eggs, cereals, fish, seafood, soy, peanuts, nuts. Caution is also needed with tomatoes, peas, butter, margarine, chocolate, soft drinks, alcohol.

2. Avoid foods with sulfites

Sulfites can cause asthma symptoms. They are used as a preservative in almost all prepared and packaged foods, and are found in wine, dried fruits, pickles, fresh and frozen shrimp.

3. Avoid foods that can cause gas

Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans, onions, fried foods cause gas, and eating such foods can put pressure on the diaphragm, resulting in possible chest tightness and asthma attacks.

No dietary intervention alone can replace all of the pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological interventions required to treat asthma, but a healthy and balanced diet will also help positively in preventing its occurrence and in its control.