Asthma attacks range in severity from mild wheezing to a life-threatening inability to breathe. Latest statistics from the National Asthma Campaign show that over five million people in the UK now have asthma - that’s 1 in 13 of the adult population and in 1-8 children.
A vegan diet is often helpful. A high salt intake may have adverse effects. Intake of fruit and vegetables should be increased, particularly those highest in vitamin C eg, red and green peppers, blackcurrants, leafy greens, broccoli and strawberries.
Other useful vitamins and minerals include:
Vitamin B - 200 mg per day for 2 months reduced the severity of asthma in children and the amounts of medication they needed.
Vitamin C - 1,000 mg per day. 500mg for 2 days prevented attacks of exercise induced asthma.
Magnesium - 400mg a day for three weeks has proven to lead to significant improvement of symptoms.
Selenium - 100 ug of sodium selenite per day for 14 weeks resulted in clinical improvement.
Lycopene - in tomatoes help reduce the symptoms of asthma caused by exercising - 30mg of lycopene per day for one week.
Fish oils - 300 mg per day of fish oil.
Indian Iobelia is a specific remedy for asthma. 150mg of the leaf by weight per day for six days.
Forskolin has been found to decrease lung spasms in asthmatics.
Boswellia - 300 mg of powdered 3 times daily for six weeks.
Indian tabacco - is an effective expectorant.
A set of breathing exercises called Buteyko breathing or Acupuncture might be useful for some asthmatics.
Optimum Nutrition
Journal April 2003
Vol 16 No 1.