Tagged with 'respiratory-health'

The cooler days of fall are coming.  For some people, that’s a welcome relief.  But for asthma sufferers, not so much.  Cold air and even a small change in temperature can tighten lungs and make you short of breath.

The wheezing…coughing…asthma is just plain uncomfortable.  Not to mention deadly.

Twenty-five million people have asthma or reactive airway disease.  Asthma drugs help dilate bronchial tubes when they narrow and swell.  But the drugs are dangerous and have some scary side effects.  Some asthma meds have reported to reduce your adrenal functioning, decrease your bone density, and even create fungal infections in your mouth (1).

Stopping inflammation in the lungs and relaxing the smooth muscle tissue of the bronchial tubes is key to reducing mucus and breathing better.

This fragrant spice eases inflammation and opens up your airways…

GINGER

...has an extremely high level of total antioxidants.  Very few foods come close to the levels in ginger.  In fact, this root is so powerful, it protects against the toxic effects of both chemotherapy and radiation.

That’s serious stuff, but so are ginger’s antioxidant compounds, of which there are hundreds.  Two of the most studied are gingerols and a phytonutrient called 6-shagaol.

Gingerols and 6-shagaol

Gingerols reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by blocking certain enzymes.  This lowers mucus production in the lungs (2).

6-shagaol is said to be one of the components in ginger that give it the pungent flavor.  This compound dissolves the proteins that cause bronchial tubes to constrict (3).

Enjoy Ginger!

Indian, Asian, and Arabic cultures have benefited from the healing properties of ginger for centuries.  You can add it to almost anything as flavor.  Cut it up and add it to chicken, salads, stir-fries, soups, or tea.  You can also eat it dried.

Because ginger is so high in antioxidants, asthma is just one of the inflammation-based diseases it fights.  You can’t go wrong with adding it to your diet on a regular basis just to decrease overall inflammation.

If you have asthma, ginger will help you open your airways, breathe easier, and loosen up that tight feeling in your chest.

 

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

References:

1.  http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_serevent_diskus.pdf

2.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

3.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23065130

Article courtesy of The Institute for Natural Healing, posted September 29, 2013, and found here. 

Several years ago an important medical discovery was made about asthma---some inflammation is present in the bronchial tubes of people with asthma even when the person feels well and when their breathing is normal.  The cause of this chronic inflammation is not known, but the persistent or chronic presence of the inflammation is probably what makes the bronchial tubes capable of narrowing abnormally.  There is now an emphasis on the importance of reducing inflammation of the bronchial tubes to control or prevent attacks.

Reducing inflammation is critical because extended inflammation damages tissues, including the lung tissue.

Here are some key nutrients to consider for controlling inflammation:

• Ginger or Turmeric are known for their anti-inflammatory properties so eat up!

 

• Include Nuts and Seeds (peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds) regularly.  They are one of the best sources of Vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.

 

• Oranges and Grapefruit are loaded with Vitamin C, another potent antioxidant to protect cells from damage.  Vitamin C is one of the key antioxidant vitamins abundant in the extracellular fluid lining the lungs.

 

• Add Spinach to your day to boost your intake of Magnesium.  Magnesium’s role in decreasing bronchospasm has been investigated in both acute and chronic asthma.

 

• Get some sun or take your daily dose of Vitamin D, especially in the winter months.  Consider having your vitamin D3 blood levels measured to determine your current Vitamin D status.  Your levels should be about 50 nmol/L.

 

• Take a potent probiotic, such as ProBiota 12.  Potent probiotics increase T regulatory cells which are critical in balancing an overactive immune system.  These are designed to get at the root of inflammation and quench it.

 

• Fish are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 fatty acids limit leukotrienes, which trigger contractions in the smooth muscles lining the bronchioles, which ultimately reduces inflammation.

 

• Avoiding dairy products and gluten are likely very solid recommendations as they are commonly inflammatory.

 

• Eliminate environmental triggers and exposures, targeting the air we breathe.  Obtain an air purifier for your home, and reduce your exposure to other things such as scented fabrics, chemicals found in carpets, new clothing, dry cleaning, etc.  If you are looking for an air purifier to eliminate smells and volatile compounds, consider the T300 or the A375UV Alen Air Purifiers.

Bottom Line:  The goal of successful asthma care is to prevent the symptoms of asthma from developing rather than having to relieve them with medications once they occur.

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist