Asthma Season - Time to Clean Out the Pantry?

Eating a low-inflammatory diet can help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with asthma.

While most asthma symptoms are also triggered by allergies to environmental factors, such as pollens, dust, molds, smoke, smog, grasses, and chemicals, often the foods ingested on a daily basis may be wreaking additional havoc under the surface.

Sometimes just a four week detox can help identify problem foods and restore healing in the body by addressing the problems causing inflammation in the gut. According to Lipski (2005), between 1980 and 1994 the incidence of asthma has risen by 75 percent, particularly in children under the age of 14, and is still rising (p. 300). Traditional treatments often include prescription inhalers for emergency attacks, long term medications, using air filters and humidifiers in the home, keeping inside dust to minimum, using hypoallergenic bedding and organic cleaning supplies, managing stress, and avoiding known environmental triggers. However, it has been discovered that those suffering from asthma also have inflammation in the digestive tract, making them highly susceptible to leaky gut syndrome and candida fungal infections. (Lipski, 2005).

As a result, it is vital to get rid of chemicals, sugars, and processed foods in the diet and to especially avoid the top inflammatory foods. Andrew Weil, M.D., an expert in the field of health and nutrition, asserts that the following 14 food ingredients are pro-inflammatory and should be avoided completely (March, 2009):

1. Animal Fats
2. Artificial Sweeteners
   
3. *Coconut Oil (some feel pure coconut oil used in home backing is okay, but the processed variety added to many packaged foods should always be avoided)
4. Corn Oil
   
5. Cottonseed oil
6. Fractionated oils
7. High fructose corn syrup
8. Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils and shortenings
9. Margin (instead opt for Earth Balance olive oil spread, which contains no trans fats or hydrogenated oils)
10. Palm or palm kernel oil
11. Mixed vegetable oils
12. Safflower oil (High oleic versions are okay)
13. Soybean oil
14. Sunflower oil (High oleic versions are okay)

Instead, replace with these top foods rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients:

• Fresh whole fruits, especially those in the berry family, such as blueberries, grapes, cranberries, and cherries (Pratt, M.D. & Stevens, 2005)
  
• Deep green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli (Pratt, M.D. & Stevens, 2005)
• Essential fats in the form of olive oil, flax seed, tree nuts (if not allergic), and cold water fish
  

Also give the body time to detox by temporarily removing the most common allergy foods, such as peanuts, wheat, eggs, dairy, tree nuts, soy, and citrus for a few weeks. Also, eliminate all sugars and processed foods. Do eat plenty of the following:

• All rice; long grain, brown rice and wild rice contain the most nutrients and will have the least negative impact on blood sugars
• Dairy free, and casein free non-dairy milks (almond milk or rice milk are low allergenic substitutes)
• Legumes, such as black beans, pinto beans, and and navy beans
• Deep colored fruits and vegetables, prefereably fresh organic
  

After 3-4 weeks, slowly reintroduce one food that was previously eliminated, for 3 days; if no exacerbation of symptoms occur, then try reintroducing a second eliminated food. If symptoms do occur, then avoid that particular food. Continue to avoid the list of pro-inflammatory foods at the beginning of this article, as well as all other sugary and processed/prepackaged foods and the foods identified through the elimination process.

The added nutrients from the list of replacement foods, and the removal of inflammatory foods and food allergies will help to reduce the frequency and severity of environmental-allergy related asthma symptoms in many patients (Lipski, 2005). Talk to your health care practitioner about adding in supplemental support, such as vitamin C, Quercetin, Magnesium, EPA/DHA, and Vitamin E to further repair the immune system and offer nutrient support that may have been depleted through the long term use of corticosteroid asthma and allergy medications. Finally, actively manage stress. Incorporate exercise and deep breathing techniques, manage body weight, engage in enjoyable activities, and get sufficient quantity and quality sleep of every night.

References

Lipski, E. (2005). Digestive Wellness, 3rd Ed. McGraw-Hill.

Pratt, S, M.D. & Matthews, K. (2005). Super Foods, Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life. Harper Collins Publishers.

Weil, A. M.D. (March 2009). Tip of the Day. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: 14 Ingredients to Avoid. Retrieved March 30, from www.drweil.com

Cindy Swan, Lifestyle Educator
Center for Functional & Integrative Medicine