Australian researchers have suggested a simple and natural remedy for reducing the intensity of asthma attacks or even putting off an attack, by just eating more fruits and vegetables. They have enough evidence to show that diets deficient in antioxidants, are capable of accelerating and worsening an attack.

A small group of asthma sufferers were subjected to a diet low in antioxidants and their asthma was observed along with levels of antioxidants, like carotene and lycopene in their blood .It was observed that those who had low levels of antioxidants circulating in the blood, especially antioxidant lycopene, showed symptoms of asthma on the rise. Incidentally lycopene is found in abundance in tomatoes.

The study was conducted by Lisa Wood, a research fellow at the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Unit at the Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle. She said “There has been no evidence that if you take these foods out of the diet it will affect your asthma outcome. The thing that’s most exciting is a proof of concept, that if you take antioxidants out of your diet it will be bad for you, and that hasn’t been scientifically proven before.”

Associate Professor John Wilson, chairman of the National Asthma Council, said “The study was highly significant and very important for our understanding of inflammatory mechanisms. The researchers will no doubt want to go on and explore the relationship in their findings to the usual diet of Australians, and how that might be improved to improve asthma outcomes.”

A new Australian study suggests that diet may play an important role in regulating asthma symptoms. 

Researchers have found that a diet low in anti-oxidants can make asthma much worse. 

Dr Lisa Wood, from the Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle, put a group of patients with asthma on a diet low in anti-oxidants, which are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 

Over 10 days, researchers found the levels of anti-oxidants in the blood dropped significantly. 

They also found patients’ lung function decreased and their asthma worsened. 

Dr Wood says it is the first study to provide proof that anti-oxidant foods can influence asthma. 

She says future studies will look at whether eating more fruits and vegetables can reduce the symptoms of asthma.

The Buteyko breathing provides a complete section on incorporating dietary measures with the breathing exercises to help asthma

 Women who eat plenty of tomatoes, carrots and leafy greens appear less likely to have asthma, researchers have found. Though it’s uncertain whether the foods are the reason, the findings suggest that some vegetables may protect against adulthood asthma, the researchers report in the medical journal Thorax.
A number of studies have suggested that antioxidants or certain other nutrients in plant foods may help prevent or ameliorate asthma and other allergic conditions. Carrots, tomato juice and spinach contain nutrients called carotenoids, some of which are converted into vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and maintain the lining of the respiratory tract. Experts recommend at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. However, the authors of the new study write, “it is important to know which fruit and vegetables might be more likely to prevent specific diseases.”
To investigate which foods may sway asthma risk, they analysed data on nearly 69,000 French women who were surveyed about diet and other health factors. Overall, 3% reported having asthma, with women who ate the most carrots, tomatoes and leafy vegetables being less likely to have the lung disease.
Dr Isabelle Romieu of the National Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico, led the study. Among the women surveyed, those who reported the highest intake of leafy greens - mostly spinach and lettuce were 22 % less likely to say they had asthma than women with the lowest intakes. Similarly, carrot lovers had a 20% lower risk of the disease, while tomato fans had an 18% lower risk.
The lower risks were seen even with other major factors - like weight, overall calorie intake, smoking and vitamin use taken into account. However, the researchers say they cannot rule out the possibility that higher intakes of carrots, tomatoes and leafy greens are simply a sign of a generally healthier diet and not a special effect of these foods specifically.
 Correct diet is only a part of moving towards controlling asthma naturally. Combined with the Buteyko breathing method and physical exercise, this can significantly reduce your asthma.