|
Characteristics of Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the
lungs and airways; during attacks, spasms in the muscles surrounding
the airways in the lungs constrict, making it difficult to expel stale
air.
Coughing, wheezing and a feeling of tightness
in the chest are the main symptoms.
Asthma attacks can be brought on by a variety of underlying reasons:
allergies to food or animal fur, feathers, dust mites, environmental
pollutants, food additives such as sulfites, tobacco smoke, fumes, mould,
certain weather conditions or environmental conditions such as extreme
dryness or humidity and chemicals.
Stressful situations can also bring on an
asthma attack, as can low blood sugar. Bronchitis can also lead to attacks of asthma.
These are a lot of possible causes, but whichever one or more
are involved, the bronchial tubes swell and become clogged with mucous.
This causes more inflammation resulting in even more irritation
and sensitivity and more attacks.
Diet advice and nutritional
facts for Asthma
-
Ideally seek the help of a nutritional
consultant or allergy specialist to help isolate foods and chemicals
to which you may be sensitive and may contribute towards asthma.
-
The nutrition practitioner can also
check for other factors, such as low stomach acid which will lead
to allergies, ‘leaky gut’, and any other tests which seem appropriate.
-
Then, bearing the results in mind, eat
a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, with some nuts and seeds,
brown rice and millet, beans and lentils, skinless turkey and chicken,
and oily and white fish.
-
Eat little and often – avoid overly
large meals.
-
Take digestive enzymes with meals.
-
Drink lots of clean spring water (not
chlorinated tap water), at room temperature.
-
Eat lots of garlic and onion which contain
quercetin which is anti-inflammatory.
-
Linseeds (flaxseed) should be used liberally,
followed by plenty of clean water.
-
Juicing gives your body lots of nutrients
and helps clear the toxins and mucous. (Consider buying a book on
fruit and vegetable juicing and a juicer which you can get from
electrical retailers.)
Learn from the book which ones are especially good for clearing
mucous (e.g. radishes).
-
Include ‘green’ food such as Klamath
Lake Blue Green Algae, which is available in drink form and powder
form. This ‘green’ food is highly cleansing, and helps oxygenate the
whole body, is anti-inflammatory and helps the immune system; it
also helps balance the nervous system.
Excellent ‘green’ food is available from AquaSource.
Click this text if you wish to purchase this product.
-
Avoid all dairy produce, wheat, citrus
fruit especially oranges.
-
Avoid excessive meat and eggs.
-
Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar.
-
Avoid foods which cause gas, such as
beans and cabbage – gas puts pressure on the diaphragm.
-
Avoid extremely cold foods or drinks,
such as ice cream which can cause spasms.
-
Investigate special vacuum cleaners
which clean up dust mites, and special bed linen for dust mites,
as well as air purifiers
Health
Supplements
Often, a combination of supplements may
help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional
therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating
symptoms are shown below:
(please
also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)
Recommended
Health Books
health book - Complete Guide to Asthma, The
health book - Herbs to Help You Breathe Freely
Also see:
Allergies
Bronchitis
icongroup asthma info source
|
