Nurtirion Lifestyles Resource Page Satisfaction Guarantee
Information Sheet
Asthma
Asthma

14.5 million Americans suffer with asthma, and their numbers particularly among children, are increasing at an alarming rate. From 1982-1992, the incidence of asthma increased by 42%. In 1993, one in 13 children suffered with asthma to soma degree--79% more than in the previous decade. Contrary to popular belief, children rarely outgrew asthma, and it can start at any age. Among children, the incidence of hospitalization has increased fivefold in the last 29 years and the rate for adults has doubled. 65% of sufferers develop symptoms before the age of five. There are 5,000 asthma related deaths a year, an increase of 35% from 1982-1992.

Types of asthma:
  • Extrinsic asthma related to allergens (high levels of serum IgE )
    Infancy: most often related to food allergies
    Ages 10-13: most often related to inhalants
    Over 45: most often caused by infections
    Summer attacks: often related to pollen and spores
    Winter attacks: often related to infections
    Night attacks: often related to emotions
  • Intrinsic asthma: associated with a bronchial reaction related to toxic chemicals, cold air, exercise,infection and emotional upset
  • Mixed: a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic asthma
  • Cardiac asthma: caused by heart failure

Although there is a strong link between airborne allergens and asthma, poverty, childhood immunizations, diets high in refined sugar and fat, adrenal disorders, anxiety, changes in temperature, exercise, extremes of dryness or humidity, fear, laughing, low blood sugar, stress and even small family size all seem to be linked to asthma. Common asthma provoking allergens: animal dander, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, environmental pollutants, feathers, food additives such as sulfites, fumes, molds, Candida and tobacco smoke. Exposure to chemicals like urethane, polyurethane, rubber epoxy resins, welders' cloth cleaners, fumes in auto body shops, dry cleaning chemicals and others are risk factors. Food sensitivity with immediate response: eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts and peanuts. Food sensitivity with delayed onset response: milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus and food colorings.

In people with a genetic susceptibility to asthma, allergens set the inflammatory response in motion, and in chronic asthma it is in perpetual motion. Bronchial tubes become inflamed and narrowed, and airways get clogged with thick, sticky mucous secretions, so breathing during an asthma attack is like sucking mud through a straw.

Until a few years ago, the primary conventional treatment for asthma as bronchodilators, which relax the smooth muscles lining the bronchial airways. Because asthma is now recognized to be an inflammatory condition of the lungs, the treatment of choice today is inhaled anti-inflammabory steroids, primarily corticosteroids. Oral steroids often used in more severe cases, do have side effects with prolonged and frequent use, including cough, oral candidiasis, retarded growth, and osteoporosis. Even though inhalers are a lifesaver to anyone in the throes of an asthma attack, the increased use of aerosol inhalers, particularly beta-agonists, is believed to be contributing to the rising death rate from asthma, because beta-agonist mask the severity of the disease. In addition these drugs do nothing to heal the lungs and break the cycle of inflammation. Note: Excessive use of inhalers suggests that the person has life threatening asthma. Seek medical intervention...do NOT self medicate.

You do have some options: 
  1. Identify and avoid allergens that prompt asthma attacks.
  2. A simple diet - fresh, unrefined, primarily vegetarian without additives.
  3. Carotenes - 25,000-50,000 IU per day ( Just Carrots- 18,000 IU per Tbs.-mix with Barleygreen.)
  4. Drink pure water--reverse osmosis or distilled only --Avoid ANY chlorinated water.
    Note: when you aren't drinking enough water, your body releases histamine in an effort to prevent further water loss through the lungs. Histamine is the same chemical released during an allergic response that contributes to the inflammation and constriction of the bronchioles.

  5. Magnesium (the core molecule in chlorophyll) a key nutrient for asthma. EAT GREEN FOODS!?? Note: in acute asthma attacks treated in the hospital, I.V. magnesium sulfate is being given with good results.
  6. Barleylgreen (AIM) supplement adults: at least 1 heaping tsp three times a day in juice or water 1/2 hour before meals (adjust servings to suit -( I use l Tbs. two -three times a day)
  7. Bear Paw Garlic, wild alpine (AIM) 1 capsule three times a day.
  8. Antioxidiants (The asthmatic response itself generates free radicals, eating up antioxidants at a faster rate.) Vitamin C - 10-15 mg. per pound per day ie: 150 lbs.- 1500-2000 mg) divide doses. Superzymes (AIM) 2 tablets twice a day (with Barleygreen) try chewing the tablets.
  9. Vitamin- mineral supplement-Barleygreen an outstanding choice.
  10. Selenium - 200- 400 mcg. per day.
  11. Ginkgo Biloba (AIM) - 1 tablet three times daily with juice or water. (not with meals)
  12. Omega 3 fatty acids i.e.: Flaxseed oil, cold water fish. (salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, etc)
Avoid or use with a lot of caution:
  • Beta-blocking medications used for blood pressure control
  • Goose feathers
  • Furry animals
  • Tobacco, alcohol and caffeine
  • Smoke of any type, including second hand cigarette smoke
  • Food additives BHA and BHT,
  • FD&C Yellow No. 5 food dye (tartrazine) found in processed foods, vitamins and anti-asthma RX i.e.: aminophylline
  • Tryptophan (amino acid)
  • Aspirin and other NSAIDS (Advil, Nuprin, Naprosyn, Feldene, etc)
  • Refined sugar, white flour and fat
  • All food preservatives and processed foods
  • Dairy products, starches, sugars and eggs and salt
  • Stress of any kind

WARNlNG: AN ACUTE ASTHMA ATTACK CAN BE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. If you are suffering from an acute attack, consult your physician or an emergency room immediately.

Optional Therapies:
  • Hot fomentations to the chest with hot footbath, and cool cloth on forehead.
  • Sauna bath or steam bath with head out of cabinet, cool cloth on forehead.
  • Hot bath (100 degrees) add 16 oz of hydrogen peroxide; SOAK for 20 minutes. NOTE: after all three of these therapies- do NOT get chilled and be sure to rest following any of them
  • Mullein tea to soothe mucous membranes (can add marshmallow & slippery elm)
  • Composure (AIM) - 1 capsule, repeat as needad to calm tension or nerves or for sleep at bedtime.
  • Bee Pollen Mountain Meadows(AIM) - 1-2 capsule before each meal
  • Proancynol (AIM) (follow instructions on bottle)--

THERE IS HOPE>>>>
A long term trial using vegan diet provided significant improvement (one year on the diet) in 92% of patients.~ Elimination of common allergens during infancy reduced allergic tendencies in high risk children.1 Oral magnesium will raise magnesium concentrations in body in six weeks with improvement.3 Note: The basic program for optimal health is pure water; fresh air; sunshine; high fiber diet (30 grams) per day try adding HerbalFiberblend(AIM) to supplement fiber; a fresh, unrefined primarily vegetarian diet; plus supplement with whole food concentrates (Barleygreen or Garden Trio) to maximize vitamin mineral intake; moderata exercise; stress reduction which in part comes as a bonus with this program and most important ......

Trust in God.

References:
1. Undahl, O Vegan diet regimen with reduced medication in bronchial asthma Journal Asthma 22 (1985): 45-55
2. Hatch, G.E., Asthma,inhaled oxidants, and dietary antioxidants Am. Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1995:61 (sup): 625-630
3. Britton, ]. "Dietary magnesium, lung function, wheezing. Lancet 344 (1994): 357-362.
Bland, ].S., Nutritional Improvement of the Inflammatory Disorders Health Comm, Inc. Gig Harbor, WA 1997
Montelone, CA, et al. Nutrition and asthma, Arch.Intern Med. Jan 13, 1997; 157:23-34.
Balch, J.F., Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Avery Publishing 1997 pp. 144-147
Chopra, D., Alternative Medicine- The definitive Guide, Future Medicine Publishing, Inc. p.819-821
Merck Manual of Medical Invormation(home edition). 1997 pp. 173-177
Murray, N., & Pizzomo, J., Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Prima Publishing pp. 260-272
Whitaker, J., Health and Healing "Asthma Prevention" Nov. 1997, pp. 3-5
||  Back to Index Page  ||   Nutrition Lifestyles Home Page    ||  
Dixie Shaw, E-mail:info@nutritionlifestyles.com
Home Page URL: http://www.nutritionlifestyles.com

All contents copyright (C) 1998-2008, Eddie Shaw.  All rights reserved.