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Could Food Allergies Be Causing Your Child's Asthma?
Filed under: Nutrition: Health, Medical Conditions, Development/Milestones: Babies, Dear Karla
Dear Karla, My 7-year-old son has asthma and my 3-year-old is starting to show some signs of breathing challenges. Is there anything I can do on a nutritional level to lessen their symptoms? Thanks, Carmen
Hi Carmen,
Asthma is a growing concern for many parents as it is currently on the rise. According to Statistics Canada, in 1978 just over two percent of children reported asthma and in 1996 that number jumped to just over 12 percent. This condition causes inflammation in the airways, which makes breathing challenging at times, and wheezing is a natural result.
A study published in 2009 revealed that children who spend more than two hours every day glued to the TV had a doubled risk of developing asthma. This report suggests that sedentary behaviour may link directly to breathing patterns in children, which correlates to the development of the lungs. More research is needed in this area, but it is certainly an interesting thought, considering the trend of inactivity that we see occurring throughout North America.
How does food factor in?
Food can also play a role in the increased rate of asthma in both adults and children. Some reports link food allergies as the direct cause of asthma, and if this is the case, then removal of the food item from your child's diet is the ideal answer. A good way to determine if a particular food is causing an asthma attack is to pay attention a few hours after the suspected food is eaten as that is when most food-induced asthma reactions occur.
With a higher dose of processed foods being served up on many family dinner tables, the body has become more burdened with toxic ingredients, which can lead to a greater inflammatory reaction. With foods in a box (or can, or jar) replacing fresh produce, it's safe to say that children today are not getting the same natural antioxidants from their diet as they did once upon a time. Antioxidants defend the body against free radicals (free radicals come from cooked food, processed food and refined carbohydrates), which are the source of irritation and inflammation in the body.
Here's how to decrease the incidence of food-related asthma attacks in your family:
- Bump up the fresh fruits and vegetables in your child's diet (I suggest 80 percent raw and 20 percent lightly cooked).
- Increase your family's intake of omega-3s. This "good fat" acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, which helps calm asthma symptoms during the year (Note: It should be avoided if there is a suspected allergy).
- Increase magnesium intake. Magnesium is found in food sources like spinach, beans, peas, nuts and seeds, and keeps the immune system strong and muscles relaxed.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-24-2010 @ 11:40AM
Aleksey said...My sister had asthma that was connected to food allergies. Asthma
disappeared a 5 years ago. However, she constantly has food allergy that causes rush on her skin all over the body. She is taking
pills to fight it off, but that does not help at all. She is eating pretty healthy, trying to avoid processed food. Does anybody know how to help her with the allergy?
Reply
3-24-2010 @ 7:49PM
Shan said...In my case, dairy, gluten and popcorn are bad for asthma. Also, black mold in the old house basement. A lot of people are allergic (or sensitive) to dairy and gluten, but don't know it because symptoms can take up to 4 days to appear. Try eating meat and veg. for one month. You will see a difference! In my case eggs are ok too, as well as hard cheeses like cheddar (milk proteins are altered in the cheese-making process). Real natural cultured yogurt is supposed to be ok too, but I can't stand yogurt so can't vouch for it. I use soya milk for cereal (gluten-free) and recipes like scalloped potatos. Rice noodles are good instead of regular pasta noodles which contain gluten. Also spagetti squash is great with spagetti sauce. Try brown rice. It tastes much better and is healthier for you (although white rice doesn't usually cause allergy reactions). There are a variety of breads available that are gluten-free, such as rice, spelt and quinoia. These are ancient grains that have not been genetically altered to contain more gluten to cause the bread to rise more. I find they are better toasted with dairy-free margarine. Read the labels! You wouldn't believe how many margarines contain dairy, whey, etc. There are a lot of canned products that contain dairy and gluten. I found that after 2 years on this type of diet I could tolerate dairy and gluten occasionally. If there is a food you absolutely crave, chances are you should eliminate it. The human body is a strange thing, and will actually crave foods it is allergic to. It takes only about 2 weeks to get rid of the cravings. When I tried this type of diet, I was overweight and I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks! Bonus!!! I also became less tired, lethargic, depressed, etc. The cravings went away and I felt like doing things! I was really awake, accomplished more, had energy, and felt great! Go for it! It definitely won't hurt you, and may prove to be the best thing you ever did for yourself.
3-24-2010 @ 11:56AM
Mary B said...I am surprised that your article didn't address dairy. I can't count the number of people I know who had breathing issues, excess phlegm, constantly clearing the throat and blowing the nose. When dairy was eliminated so were all the symptoms.
Reply
3-24-2010 @ 2:03PM
Patrick said...So true Mary. I was given inhalers by Doctors not even checking me for problems with dairy. I eliminated dairy from my diet and I've not had any issues since. I make a shake with fruits, chia seeds (antioxidant) and some oils to get my omega-3's.
3-24-2010 @ 11:51PM
Kathy said...Totally with all of you on the dairy culprit! We see a fabulous homeopathic doctor and when one of our kids had exzema so badly and a cough that would never go away and breathing issues, we took him to this homeopath and he has saved our little boy! He took one look at him and told us to get him off of dairy! He's a whole new kid and hasn't needed his puffer in years!!
Reply
3-27-2010 @ 4:35PM
Amanda DeCiccio said...My son has ezema all over his face and very bad ashma, do you think it could be milk
4-04-2010 @ 9:53AM
smilinggreenmom said...Our son had severe Eczema caused from food allergies and food sensitivities. We went to so many doctors and used so many different creams and meds and really nothing could help him. It was so hard because he just itched and itched and we knew it was food related but since it was intolerance it would not show up on allergy tests. We have been so blessed though to have found out about Belly Boost chiildren's chewable probiotics because within a week of giving them to him, he began to clear up and was able to eat so many more foods. It has been a year now of him looking and feeling great and we are just so thankful that we have found something to help our son's body process foods better and help get rid of his Eczema.
Reply
3-23-2011 @ 12:48PM
Rachel said...I'm 38 and I've had asthma pretty much as long as I can remember. I took up running about 2yrs ago to trying and strengthen my lungs and heart. This last May after running 10 mi and walking 3mi for the Eugene 1/2, my asthma started getting worse. ? Everything I try and train for now I have to walk run and I feel like after 2yrs of running, my asthma should be getting better not worse. I do have outdoor allergies (grass hay, cottonwood...), but I suspect that I'm allergic to something I'm eating. I don't eat a ton of dairy, but I think I have an allergy to it. I can't have cinnamon before a workout or it will trigger an attack. I'm so frustrated!!! New lungs anyone? Any other food that has been a trigger for anyone might help. ???
Thanks
RL
3-23-2011 @ 12:51PM
Rachel said...I also have had bad Eczema on my lower leggs and wrist for about a yr also.
Reply