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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Eat little and often – avoid overly large meals.
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Take digestive enzymes with meals.
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Drink lots of clean spring water (not chlorinated
tap water), at room temperature.
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Eat lots of garlic and onion which contain
quercetin which is anti-inflammatory.
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Linseeds (flaxseed) should be used
liberally, followed by plenty of clean water.
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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).
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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.
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Avoid all dairy produce, wheat, citrus fruit
especially oranges.
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Avoid excessive meat and eggs.
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Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar.
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Avoid foods which cause gas, such as beans and
cabbage – gas puts pressure on the diaphragm.
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Avoid extremely cold foods or drinks, such as ice
cream which can cause spasms.
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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
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