Minerals and Fatty Acids to Relieve Asthma Suffering
Selenium. Studies have shown that individuals with
chronic asthma may suffer from a selenium deficiency, increased
oxidative stress, and decreased glutathione activity (Allam MF et al
2004; Fogarty A et al 2000). Selenium is an essential dietary mineral
that plays a vital role in activating glutathione. In a recent study,
women with relatively low blood selenium levels during pregnancy gave
birth to infants with a higher incidence of asthma (Shaheen SO et al
2004). These results suggest that dietary supplementation with selenium
may diminish the susceptibility to asthma.
Magnesium. Several studies have indicated that
patients with asthma have lower levels of magnesium within the cells
lining the airways. When daily magnesium supplementation was given to
children with mild to moderate asthma, a significant decrease in the
use of rescue beta-agonist inhalers was demonstrated (Bede O et al
2003). These results suggest that intracellular magnesium levels are
associated with the severity of asthma and the frequency of asthma
attacks. Maintaining normal magnesium levels appears to be an important
component of asthma therapy.
Zinc. Zinc appears to affect apoptosis, or
programmed cell death. All cells contain genetic code that determines
when they should die. A defect may cause cells to die prematurely,
leading to inflammation, which can trigger an asthma attack. Zinc may
have a role in preventing premature cell death in the asthmatic lung,
which might have a protective effect (Truong-Tran AQ et al 2003).
However, more research is necessary to determine the role zinc might
play in the lungs generally and asthma specifically (Richter M et al
2003).
Calcium and vitamin D. Steroid use, particularly
oral or systemic, is associated with the development of osteopenia
(reduced bone density) and eventual osteoporosis (a condition in which
bones lose mass and density) (Braunwald E et al 2001; Gennari C 2001).
When asthma patients are on long-term oral steroid therapy,
supplemental calcium and phosphate are recommended to prevent
osteopenia. Calcium citrate contains the highest available elemental
calcium in capsule form (Gennari C 2001). Periodic bone densitometry
evaluation is recommended for assessing the development of osteoporosis
(Mortensen L et al 1998).
Preventing osteopenia involves the oral intake of 1200 mg elemental
calcium along with supplemental vitamin D (1000 IU) daily. In the event
that osteoporosis develops, a bisphosphonate is usually added to the
therapy (Gennari C 2001).
Omega-3 and other polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as fish oils, may play a role in the
prevention of asthma by reducing the tendency toward inflammation. A
study of the immune status of neonates showed that the neonatal
production of inflammatory cells associated with asthma was
significantly decreased in infants of supplemented mothers (Dunstan JA
et al 2003).
The current literature is supportive of dietary omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acid use as a means of modifying asthma
susceptibility and severity. However, fish oil supplementation has been
associated with a worsening of asthma in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics
(Jaber R 2002). Therefore, it should not be used by this subpopulation
of asthmatics. If asthma patients are unsure about their sensitivity to
aspirin, they should check with their doctor before taking fish oil
supplements.
Borage oil. Borage oil, an herbal extract, contains
a high percentage of a substance called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA
is a type of fat that has been shown to regulate leukotrienes,
biochemicals that can trigger asthma attacks. An asthma medication
called zileuton works in much the same way.
Although more research must be done, borage oil, which contains GLA,
may prove to be an attractive alternative as a dietary
leukotriene-modifying therapy. Researchers found that daily
supplementation of GLA had an impact on leukotrienes and warranted
further study (Ziboh VA et al 2004).
Curcumin. Curcumin inhibits nuclear factor kappa
beta, a major component for translating inflammatory stimuli into
actions such as production of cytokines and changes in inflammatory
cell function. Curcumin has been found to reduce the inflammatory
responses of lymphocytes in human asthmatics, and in a laboratory
animal model of asthma, treatment with curcumin reduced airway
hyperresponsiveness (Kobayashi T et al 1997).
Vitamin Depot Online.com Foundation Recommendations
Asthma is closely related to environmental health and allergies.
People who suffer from allergies should obtain a high-quality
high-efficiency particulate air filter in the home and avoid potential
allergens whenever possible. Exercise may help improve lung function,
but asthma patients should be aware that exercising in cold or polluted
air (such as a winter morning run) can aggravate their condition.
Some asthma patients are given corticosteroids to reduce
inflammation. Because these drugs can cause osteoporosis, people taking
any form of corticosteroid should also supplement with calcium and
vitamin D to support strong bones. The following dosages are suggested:
- Calcium1200 milligrams (mg) daily
- Vitamin D1000 international units (IU) daily
Similarly, although theophylline is rare in the United States, it is
sometimes prescribed for asthma. This drug has been shown to reduce
levels of vitamin B6. For people taking theophylline, the following
dosage of vitamin B6 is suggested:
Finally, all patients with asthma may be able to reduce their
symptoms or reduce their medications by taking the following
supplements that combat inflammation and target free radicals:
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Product Availability
All the nutrients and supplements discussed in this section are
available through the Vitamin Depot Online.com Foundation Buyers Club, Inc. For
ordering information, call anytime toll-free 1-800-544-4440, or visit
us online at www.LifeExtension.com.
The blood tests discussed in this section are available through Vitamin Depot Online.com National Diagnostics, Inc. For ordering information, call
anytime toll-free 1-800-208-3444, or visit us online at
www.LifeExtension.com.
Asthma Safety Caveats
An aggressive program of dietary supplementation should not be
launched without the supervision of a qualified physician. Several of
the nutrients suggested in this protocol may have adverse effects.
These include:
Curcumin
- Do not take curcumin if you have a bile duct obstruction or a
history of gallstones. Taking curcumin can stimulate bile production.
- Consult your doctor before taking curcumin if you have
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a history of peptic ulcer
disease.
- Consult your doctor before taking curcumin if you take
warfarin or antiplatelet drugs. Curcumin can have antithrombotic
activity.
- Always take curcumin with food. Curcumin may cause gastric
irritation, ulceration, gastritis, and peptic ulcer disease if taken on
an empty stomach.
- Curcumin can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
EPA/DHA
- Consult your doctor before taking EPA/DHA if you take warfarin
(Coumadin). Taking EPA/DHA with warfarin may increase the risk of
bleeding.
- Discontinue using EPA/DHA 2 weeks before any surgical procedure.
Ginkgo biloba
- Individuals with a known risk factor for intracranial
hemorrhage, systematic arterial hypertension, diabetes, or seizures
should avoid ginkgo.
- Do not use prior to or after surgery.
- Avoid concomitant use of ginkgo with NSAIDS, blood thinners, diuretics, or SSRIs.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea and diarrhea) may occur.
- Allergic skin reactions may occur.
- Elevations in blood pressure may occur.
GLA
- Consult your doctor before taking GLA if you take warfarin
(Coumadin). Taking GLA with warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Discontinue using GLA 2 weeks before any surgical procedure.
- GLA can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
Magnesium
- Do not take magnesium if you have kidney failure or myasthenia gravis.
Quercetin
- Quercetin can cause headache, mild tingling of the extremities, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea.
Selenium
- High doses of selenium (1000 micrograms or more daily) for prolonged periods may cause adverse reactions.
- High doses of selenium taken for prolonged periods may cause
chronic selenium poisoning. Symptoms include loss of hair and nails or
brittle hair and nails.
- Selenium can cause rash, breath that smells like garlic, fatigue, irritability, and nausea and vomiting.
Vitamin A
- Do not take vitamin A if you have hypervitaminosis A.
- Do not take vitamin A if you take retinoids or retinoid
analogues (such as acitretin, all-trans-retinoic acid, bexarotene,
etretinate, and isotretinoin). Vitamin A can add to the toxicity of
these drugs.
- Do not take large amounts of vitamin A. Taking large amounts
of vitamin A may cause acute or chronic toxicity. Early signs and
symptoms of chronic toxicity include dry, rough skin; cracked lips;
sparse, coarse hair; and loss of hair from the eyebrows. Later signs
and symptoms of toxicity include irritability, headache, pseudotumor
cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension), elevated serum liver
enzymes, reversible noncirrhotic portal high blood pressure, fibrosis
and cirrhosis of the liver, and death from liver failure.
Vitamin C
- Do not take vitamin C if you have a history of kidney stones or of
kidney insufficiency (defined as having a serum creatine level greater
than 2 milligrams per deciliter and/or a creatinine clearance less than
30 milliliters per minute.
- Consult your doctor before taking large amounts of vitamin C
if you have hemochromatosis, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, sickle
cell anemia, or erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficiency. You can experience iron overload if you have one of these
conditions and use large amounts of vitamin C.
Vitamin E
- Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E if you take warfarin (Coumadin).
- Consult your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin E if you have a vitamin K deficiency or a history of liver failure.
- Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E if you have a
history of any bleeding disorder such as peptic ulcers, hemorrhagic
stroke, or hemophilia.
- Discontinue using vitamin E 1 month before any surgical procedure.
Zinc
- High doses of zinc (above 30 milligrams daily) can cause adverse reactions.
- Zinc can cause a metallic taste, headache, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
- High doses of zinc can lead to copper deficiency and hypochromic microcytic anemia secondary to zinc-induced copper deficiency.
- High doses of zinc may suppress the immune system.
For more information see the Safety Appendix |
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