Dietary(Nutritional) recommendations for Asthma - Essay Example

Dietary (Nutritional) Recommendations for Asthma: Healthy eating should be encouraged in patients of asthma by selection of good food choices. Like many other health disorders, there is no specific diet plan for asthma. But, diet based on processed or junk foods is not good for asthma patients. This is because more severe asthma is also associated with obesity and without a change in diet plan, obesity can soon become a worrisome issue together with asthma. Also, some foods are known to have allergic triggers for asthma like cow’s milk and eggs and should be avoided (NHS 2012).

A wealth of research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and beta-carotene reduces risk of asthma. The presence of antioxidants in foods rich in these substances provides a relief of asthma symptoms (Gelfand 2012). But, more research needs to be conducted to understand the relationship between diet and asthma. Also, it is unclear if taking supplements provide definite protection against asthma development. This is because many studies which used vitamins and supplements to reverse effects of asthma have remained unsuccessful.

Therefore, it is considered unlikely that food supplements will improve control on asthma (Gelfand 2012). It is important to reduce intake of alcohol and coffee because GERD or acid reflux is a big problem in 70% of asthma patients (CDC 2011). Bronchodilators are used to treat asthma and to avoid nasty drug-food interactions, it is recommended to take them with food to avoid stomach upset (Bellows & Moore 2013). In pregnant patients, treatment with inhaled corticosteroids like prednisolone is important to reduce risk of asthma exacerbations during pregnancy (National Asthma Council Australia 2013).

References:Bellows, L & Moore, R 2013, ‘Nutrient-Drug Interactions and Food’, viewed 12 May 2014, CDC 2011, ‘Healthy Weight - its not a diet, its a lifestyle!’, viewed 12 May 2014, Gelfand, JL 2012, ‘Asthma and Diet’, viewed 12 May 2014, National Asthma Council Australia 2013, ‘Asthma and Healthy Living. An information paper for health professionals’, viewed 12 May 2014, NHS 2012, ‘Asthma’, viewed 12 May 2014,