1. The importance of diet for people with asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways. The disease causes swelling, increased mucus secretion, and edema of the airway mucosa, causing the patient to have difficulty breathing, wheezing, and chest tightness...
Bronchial asthma can be well controlled with proper treatment, close monitoring, regular use of preventive medication, and regular check-ups to assess the condition. Therefore, patients need to see a specialist and strictly follow the doctor's treatment instructions.
In addition to controlling and using good preventive medicine, people with bronchial asthma need to follow a scientific diet to increase resistance, improve health and prevent disease recurrence.
Although there is no specific food that is best for asthma patients, a healthy, balanced diet will contribute to effective disease control.
For people with asthma, eating a healthy, balanced diet of the right foods and nutrients can improve overall health, including lung function. A healthy diet can also help people maintain a healthy body weight because being overweight can worsen symptoms of the disease.
Asthma causes the patient to have difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness...
2. Essential nutrients for the body of people with bronchial asthma
There is no specific diet for asthma, so people with bronchial asthma should follow a healthy, nutritious diet and drink enough water.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
People with bronchial asthma should eat lots of fruits and vegetables. This is a food source rich in vitamins and minerals that helps supplement nutrition, has anti-inflammatory effects and enhances the body's resistance. Not only are these foods low in calories to help maintain a healthy weight, but they also contain essential nutrients that can support healthy lung function.
Fruits and vegetables contain many antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. Studies have shown that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, especially Apples and oranges and bananas can reduce the risk of developing asthma and reduce wheezing.
Studies show that the diet consists mainly of foods derived from plants, especially fresh fruits, vegetables and grains; Limiting your intake of high-fat dairy and meat can also prevent, slow the progression and improve bronchial asthma symptoms.
These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help supplement nutrition, have anti-inflammatory effects and strengthen the body's resistance. Especially foods rich in vitamins A, D, E... Antioxidants can protect cells from damage and support healthy lungs. Other important fruits and vegetables to include in an asthma patient's diet include: broccoli, berries, green leafy vegetables, melons and avocados...
Eat foods containing omega-3 fatty acids
Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as herring, mackerel, salmon...; Some plant sources such as flaxseeds, avocados, sunflower seeds, peanut oil, canola oil... help strengthen immunity, fight inflammation, improve respiratory function, and are good for asthmatics.
Foods rich in vitamin A
Vitamin A, also known as carotenoids, may improve lung function in adults and children. Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, vitamin A can help fight oxidative stress and support healthy immunity.
Studies show that a diet rich in foods rich in vitamin A such as tomatoes, carrots and leafy vegetables can improve lung function and reduce asthma attacks in adults.
Foods rich in vitamin D
Vitamin D helps support immune system function and may reduce airway inflammation. Studies demonstrate that vitamin D supplementation can reduce the incidence of asthma attacks requiring corticosteroid treatment.
In addition to regular exposure to sunlight, asthmatics should increase foods rich in vitamin D such as salmon, dairy alternatives or milk fortified with vitamin D.
Foods rich in vitamin E
Vitamin E contains a compound called tocopherol, which acts as a powerful antioxidant. It can also reduce symptoms of asthma such as wheezing and coughing. Good sources of vitamin E include: nuts, mustard greens, broccoli and kale.
Magnesium rich foods
In recent years, there has been growing evidence to support the use of magnesium supplements to reduce inflammation and relax bronchial muscles to let air out of the lungs. Foods rich in magnesium include: Pumpkin seeds, spinach, cashews, salmon, dark chocolate, low-fat dairy products.
Foods rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants can protect our cells from damage and support healthy lungs. Foods rich in antioxidants include: Dark chocolate, blueberries, artichokes, strawberries, kale , raspberries, red cabbage, radishes, spinach...
Foods rich in antioxidants help support healthy lungs.
3. Foods that should be avoided to prevent asthma recurrence
Foods that easily cause allergies
For people with bronchial asthma or a history of bronchial asthma, you should be careful to avoid foods that easily cause allergies such as some types of seafood, bee pupae, silkworm pupae... Especially, if you have ever been allergic to a food. If you eat anything, absolutely do not use that type of food again.
Foods high in salt
Eating a lot of salt can easily cause edema, which has a negative impact on the patient's breathing. Therefore, asthmatics should limit salt intake, only using 5g per day. Limit processed foods high in salt such as cold cuts, sausages, ham, bacon, etc.
Foods high in fat
Avoid trans fats and omega-6 fatty acids. There is some evidence that eating omega-6 fats and trans fats, found in some margarines and processed foods, may worsen bronchial asthma and other health conditions. other serious problems such as heart disease.
Experts say desserts, red meat and other fatty foods can worsen inflammation and lung function. At the same time, it worsens asthma symptoms.
These foods can also make it difficult for you to maintain a healthy weight. This is important, because when you have a chronic disease like bronchial asthma, if you are overweight, your lungs have to work harder, which means it can worsen asthma symptoms.
People with bronchial asthma should avoid foods high in fat.
Foods that cause bloating
Eating too much gas-producing foods will put pressure on the diaphragm, increasing the risk of triggering an asthma attack. Therefore, patients should avoid these foods including: cabbage, carbonated drinks, onions, fried foods...
Wine
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, sulphites, commonly used as preservatives in wine and some beers, can worsen asthma symptoms in people. have moderate to severe symptoms.
Additionally, sulphites can be found in dried fruits, shrimp, pickles and condiments. Adding sulphites to foods will make them last longer and retain their color and flavor. Sulphite will release sulfur dioxide gas, causing respiratory irritation and spasms.
Therefore, nutritionists advise that it is best to avoid using these foods or at least limit them if you have chronic respiratory problems.
