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Better Health Update #54 - Monte Kline, Clinical Nutritionist

Asthma

Asthma results when allergic reactivity causes spasm of the bronchial tubes and excessive mucous leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficult breathing. Asthma may be aggravated by respiratory infections or exertion. It can be life threatening. Asthma affects about 3% of the U. S. population, being the most common in children under age 10. Boys are affected 2:1 over girls until age 30, when there is equal incidence.

EXTRINSIC OR INTRINSIC?

Asthma is divided into two categories: Extrinsic asthma (also called atopic asthma) results from allergic reaction, normally with an increase in immunoglubulin IgE. Intrinsic asthma is not due to an antigen-antibody allergic reaction, but rather due to infection, exercise, chemical exposure, or emotional upset.

ASTHMA CAUSES

Three primary causes produce asthma:

Allergy
Hypersensitivity of the airways
Excessive histamine release

Specific causative factors include:

1. Food Allergy or Sensitivity - This, in my experience over the years, is the number one reason for asthma. By way of definition, allergy refers to an antibody/antigen immune system reaction to a substance, while sensitivity is a broader term referring to any way in which someone reacts adversely to a substance. Getting kids off of cow's milk is my number one solution to asthma problems. After that, wheat, baker's yeast and corn are the most likely offenders, though any food sensitivity can produce asthma symptoms. Eggs, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, citrus, chocolate and food additives are also common asthma producers.

2. Low Stomach Acid - A 1931 study found that 80 per cent of 200 asthmatic children were deficient in stomach hydrochloric acid. The connection is simple: incomplete digestion allows food residues to remain in the digestive tract instead of being absorbed. These "foreign proteins" set off alarm systems causing the immune system to react to their inappropriate presence. Asthma, or other allergic sensitivity problems commonly result from this poor digestion.

3. Food Additives - Artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives often provoke asthmatic reactions. Tartrazine (orange dye), benzoates (preservative), sulfur dioxide and sulfites (preservatives), have all been found to cause asthmatic attacks in sensitive individuals.
Ironically, tartrazine is not only found in some vitamins, but in anti-asthma drugs such as aminophylline. The average American consumes 2-3 mg of sulfites per day. Some restaurant meals are reported to contain as much as 25 - 100 mg of sulfites, primarily through salads, potatoes, avocado dip and other vegetables.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH

Conventional medicine is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to asthma. Thank God for emergency drugs to treat asthmatic attacks. This is another example of where conventional medicine excels in dealing with an acute situation. As the motto of the American Lung Association says, "When you can't breathe, nothing else matters." How true!

However, like most health problems, conventional medicine usually does nothing for the underlying cause. It just loads people up with lots of drugs to take to control symptoms. Common medications include expectorants, theophylline, antihistamines, inhalers, ephedrine, and bronchodilators.
Any doctor will tell you that the asthmatic medications they prescribe don't correct the cause of asthma - they just treat the symptom. I remember one lady client in her sixties, who was on at least eight different prescription medications for her asthma when she came to our clinic. By correcting underlying causes to her asthma, she was off every prescription medication in less than a year. No more asthma problems!

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS

Dealing with asthma should begin with the right diet. I very often find that asthmatic clients are eating some of the very most offensive foods to their problem. Here are some guidelines:
1. No cow's milk - I'm talking about plain milk. Cultured dairy products (cheese, yogurt, etc.) may be okay for some asthmatics. Others need to stay off all cow's milk products.
2. Avoid sulfites - Salad bars, wine, beer, processed fruits and vegetables are usual sources.
3. Avoid other food additives - Artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives often provoke asthma.
4. Avoid refined sugar - Sugar aggravates most every problem, especially with kids. If nothing else, sugar will encourage infections that in turn produce asthma.
5. Cold beverages - May produce bronchial spasm.
6. Avoid chicken and turkey - High tryptophan can act as a broncho-constrictor.

HERBS FOR ASTHMA

1. Ephedra - Also known as ma huang, this herb can be helpful for asthma, bronchial spasms, decongesting, and generally opening up the breathing. This is the herb from which ephedrine was discovered and then synthesized for use in cold and allergy medications. Too much ephedra can increase the heart rate; therefore it should not be used if you have hypertension or other cardio-vascular disease. Too much ephedra over a long period of time can deplete adrenal function. Therefore, using it in conjunction with licorice root can be a good idea.

2. Licorice Root - By increasing the half-life of cortisone in the body, it creates an anti-inflammatory benefit potentially helpful for asthma.

3. Lobelia - A lobelia tincture (a few drops in water) can help with relieving an acute asthma attack. Beware that too much lobelia can induce vomiting.

4. Green Tea - Can help asthma due to its theophylline content and antioxidant value.

5. Angelica - Helpful in a variety of allergic reactions including hayfever, asthma, and eczema.

7. Ginkgo biloba - Though more often thought of as an herb to help memory, mental function and circulation, ginkgo has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years for treating asthma, allergies, and coughs.

6. Other herbs - Echinacea, horsetail, juniper berries, pau d'arco, propolis, slippery elm, Chinese skullcap, onions, garlic, cayenne, and skunk cabbage have also been recommended.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homeopathic remedies can be a very helpful non-drug alternative for dealing with asthma. Single remedy homeopathics frequently used for asthma include:

1. Arsenicum - Used particularly for asthma coming on late at night with symptoms of anxiety or restlessness.
2. Aconite - For asthma attacks that come on suddenly.
3. Ipecac - For long spasms of asthmatic coughing that may end in vomiting.

At our clinics we primarily use combination homeopathic remedies, i. e. those that use several individual homepathics in one formula. One we use regularly is called Asthma Drops.
This can help reducing symptoms while working on causes.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

1. Magnesium - Magnesium deficiency can cause some types of asthma. It helps relax the smooth muscles in the bronchials. Intravenous administration of magnesium has been shown to stop asthmatic attacks.

2. B-Complex - B vitamins, particularly B-6 and B-12 can prevent shortness of breath and reduce side-effects of asthma drugs. B-12 injections have also been found to help children with asthma and sometimes adults. One study has shown that asthmatics have significantly lower levels of B-6 than healthy controls. A dramatic decrease in wheezing and asthma attacks was noted on B-6 supplementation.

3. Omega-3 Oils - These essential fatty acids, as found in borage oil, primrose oil, flax oil, etc. have a natural anti-inflammatory effect.

4. Antioxidant vitamins - Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids and Vitamin E can neutralize free radical chemicals that can harm the lungs. Vitamin C can be especially helpful with asthma by reducing sensitivity to airborn toxins, preventing bronchial spasms and acting as a natural antihistamine. A 1997 study showed that taking a large amount of C immediately before exercising helps prevent an exercise-induced asthma attack. I recommend a buffered ascorbate type of Vitamin C, which usually tests more compatibly.

5. Quercetin - This bioflavonoid has a natural anti-histamine effect and anti-inflammatory effect.

6. Molybdenum - Deficiency of this trace mineral can be linked to sulfite sensitivity. This seldom used nutritional supplement may be a possibility for those definitely sensitive.

7. Digestive Enzyme - One usually doesn't have allergic problems without having underlying digestive deficiencies. The better you break down the foods you eat, the less allergic reactivity you'll experience both to foods and environmental substances . . . and therefore the less asthma.

By getting on a good natural food diet, getting off allergically sensitive foods, and taking appropriate herbal, homeopathic and nutritional supplements, most asthma problems can be controlled, if not eliminated altogether. As always, individual testing is essential to figure out what you're reacting to and which nutritional supplements are the right ones for your body.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose illness nor prescribe treatment. Rather, this material is designed to be used in cooperation with your nutritionally-oriented health professional to deal with your personal health problems. Should you use this information on your own, you are prescribing for yourself, which is your constitutional right, but neither the author nor publisher assume responsibility.