It can be quite challenging to deal with asthma. Some evidence indicates that it could be helpful to modify your diet. Here are some dietary suggestions for those who suffer from asthma.

People who suffer from asthma have airways that are over-reactive. Symptoms of this common ailment include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, which all result as a response to stimuli that cause a clamp down of the bronchial tubes and small airways. While food allergies can trigger some symptoms that are identical to those of asthma, it is rare for a particular food to cause an asthma attack unless the person is allergic to that food. There is some evidence that you can eat to reduce the frequency of attacks. Could you use some assistance? If you have asthma, here are some dietary suggestions.

How are asthma symptoms controlled by diet? The reason that diet may play an important role in the relief of asthma symptoms is that certain foods reduce inflammation. Symptoms of asthma include not only spastic airways, but inflammation which causes too much mucous to be produced, thereby blocking airways. Inflamed airways are more likely to clamp down, causing the uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous asthma symptoms.

If you suffer from asthma, what dietary considerations can help reduce the symptoms? Most likely diet modifications on their own will not rid you of asthma, but consuming healthy foods may reduce the frequency and severity of attacks by reducing the inflammatory response. The first thing to do is to rid your diet of as much processed food as possible, and consume fresh fruits and vegetables instead. High levels of sugar and saturated fats are often found in processed foods, and these can trigger inflammation. Canned and processed foods frequently contain sulfites, and those can cause asthma symptoms to occur in some people. High levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals are present in fruits and vegetables. These substances subdue inflammatory response and affect the immune system positively.

If you suffer from asthma, you may want to think about consuming more fish. Studies have shown that the omega-3 oils available in fatty fish like salmon produce anti-inflammatory effects. One study involving children demonstrated that asthma symptoms improved in those who ingested fish oil supplements. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that omega-3 oils include Resolvin E1, a chemical that assists in decreasing inflammation of airways. That may be the reason that omega-3 oils seem beneficial to people who suffer from asthma. Sardines, mackerel, and salmon are examples of fatty fish that are high in mercury as well as PCB.

A good way to remember what foods trigger your asthma is to keep a food diary. Make sure to keep notes about how you feel after your eat. After a few weeks, you should notice a pattern developing and you should be able to identify any foods that are exacerbating your asthma attacks. See if your asthmatic symptoms can be reduced when you eliminate suspected food triggers.

Last of all, be sure that you are getting enough vitamin D if you suffer from asthma. A link has been established between low levels of vitamin D and more severe asthma episodes. While the best source of this important vitamin is the sun, vitamin D is also found in fatty fish, fortified cereals and milk. You may want to have your vitamin D level tested and if it is found to be low, ask your physician about taking supplements.