Re: vitamin supplements for asthma

[Guest guest]

borage oil

Asthma

The GLA in borage oil is also responsible for the immunosuppressant

action in reducing asthma symptoms.

Studies on the function of the lungs have shown that borage heals

lung inflammation by healing injury to the air sacs and the

capillaries of the lungs.

Asthma treatment with borage consists of 2 grams of oil taken daily

for twelve months.

Preliminary studies are underway that investigate the

immunosuppressant activity of GLA in the lungs.

Always talk to your Doctor before taking any dietary supplements.

http://tinyurl.com/5lduwa

Alana

[Guest guest]

Topic:

Dietary Supplementation with Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids May

Reduce Bronchial Inflammation

Reference:

" Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Asthma after Low-Dose

Allergen Challenge, " Schubert R, Zielen S, et al, Int Arch Allergy

Immunol, 2008; 148(4): 321-329. (Address: Department of

Pediatrics/ZAFES, J.W. Goethe University, furt/Main, Germany).

Summary:

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 23

house dust mite-allergic asthmatics, results indicate that dietary

supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA)

may reduce bronchial inflammation even after low-dose allergen

challenge.

The subjects were randomized to an omega-3 PUFA-enriched fat blend

(0.6 g/day) or placebo for 5 weeks.

During the last 2 weeks of the intervention phase, the subjects were

challenged daily with low doses of mite allergen.

Exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of bronchial inflammation, was

significantly lower in the n-3 PUFA group, before and after allergen

challenge, compared with the placebo group.

Additionally, during the low-dose allergen challenge, serum

eosinophils, changes in eosinophilic cationic protein, and in vitro

cysteinyl leukotriene release were significantly lower in the n-3

PUFA group, compared with the placebo group.

Thus, the authors of this study conclude, " Our results provide

evidence that dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA is able to reduce

bronchial inflammation even after low-dose allergen challenge. "

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

(November 17, 2008)

Alana

[Guest guest]

Ginseng Reverses Lung Damage in Asthma -

This study aimed to determine if oral administration of ginseng would

reverse lung histopathology (cell damage).

Mice bred to be prone to chronic asthma were divided into four

groups: control, placebo, ginseng, and dexamethasone (a steroid).

All mice except those in the control group were sensitized and

challenged with ovalbumin.

Then, mice in the ginseng group were given 2 gr per kg per day of

ginseng and mice in the dexamethasone group received 1 mg/kg per day

of dexamethasone for 1 week.

Lung histopathology was evaluated by using light and electron

microscopy in all groups.

All of the chronic changes of airways in the ginseng group were

significantly improved when compared with the placebo group.

When compared with the dexamethasone group, the ginseng group had

significantly lower numbers of mast cell count.

Mast cells are a type of cell which plays a significant role in the

inflammatory response of the immune system.

Thicknesses of basement membrane, epithelium, and subepithelial

smooth muscle were not statistically different between the ginseng

and dexamethasone groups.

Goblet cell (mucous secreting cells) numbers were much more reduced

in the dexamethasone group.

The study concluded that ginseng is effective in resolving the

established chronic histopathological changes of the lungs in the

murine model of asthma.

Always talk to your Doctor before taking any dietary supplements.

http://www.naturalnews.com/024470.html

Alana

[Guest guest]

The Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that vitamin D may help

people with steroid-resistant asthma respond better to steroid pills

taken for asthma.

http://tinyurl.com/3aveb6

Alana

[Guest guest]

Curcumin Attenuates Allergen-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness in

Sensitized Guinea Pigs

Anti-asthmatic property of curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a natural

product from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been tested in a

guinea pig model of airway hyperresponsiveness.

We sensitized guinea pigs with ovalbumin (OVA) to develop certain

characteristic features of asthma: allergen induced airway

constriction and airway hyperreactivity to histamine.

Guinea pigs were treated with curcumin during sensitization (to

examine its preventive effect) or after developing impaired airways

features (to examine its therapeutic effect).

Status of airway constriction and airway hyperreactivity were

determined by measuring specific airway conductance (SGaw) using a

non-invasive technique, constant-volume body plethysmography.

Curcumin (20 mg/kg body weight) treatment significantly inhibits OVA-

induced airway constriction (p<0.0399) and airway hyperreactivity

(p<0.0043).

The results demonstrate that curcumin is effective in improving the

impaired airways features in the OVA-sensitized guinea pigs.

http://tinyurl.com/6j2ubk

Alana

[Guest guest]

Lycopene improves asthma in adults

http://media.invitehealth.com/2008/03.html

scroll down to March 17

Alana

[Guest guest]

Bromelain may decrease lung inflammation in asthma

http://media.invitehealth.com/2008/2008_04_04.html

Alana

[Guest guest]

vitamin C and excercise induced asthma

http://tinyurl.com/6qarr8

Alana

[Guest guest]

Passion fruit peel may ease breathing for asthmatics -

A flavonoid-rich extract from purple passion fruit may ease wheezing

amongst asthmatics, suggest findings from a randomised, placebo-

controlled, double-blind trial.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=84470

Alana

[Guest guest]

A low intake of magnesium in the diet increases bronchial reactivity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7701490?dopt=Abstract

Alana

[Guest guest]

pantethine and asthma -

The use of Pantethine is therefore an excellent choice when it comes

to conditions such as allergies, asthma, lupus, or psoriasis.

Because it helps in the production of cortisol, the body's natural

steroid, anybody who is taking prednisone or other steroidal medicine

stands to benefit.

http://www.drlam.com/opinion/allergy.cfm

Alana

[Guest guest]

Decreased levels of coenzyme Q(10) in patients with bronchial asthma

CONCLUSION:

Results of the study suggest a possible contribution of suboptimal

concentrations of CoQ10 on antioxidative dysbalance in As and provide

a rationale for its supplementation.

http://tinyurl.com/5rlppb

Alana

[Guest guest]

Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial

asthma -

results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical

study -

70% of patients showed improvement of disease

The data show a definite role of gum resin of Boswellia serrata in

the treatment of bronchial asthma.

http://tinyurl.com/5zon7t

Alana

[Guest guest]

Leukotrienes, one of the mediators of inflammation in asthma, have a

strong bronchoconstrictive effect.

L-carnitine has been reported to influence respiratory functions.

It has also been reported that L-carnitine inhibits leukotriene

synthesis.

In conclusion, L-carnitine improved oxygen saturation, and decreased

urine leukotriene E4 levels and inflammation in lung tissues in the

present murine model of asthma.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12685858

Alana

[Guest guest]

Butterbur and asthma -

Butterbur may have additional applications for people suffering from

upper respiratory complications such as asthma.

Several studies have looked at the possibility of incorporating

butterbur in an asthmatic treatment program.

Because people who suffer from allergic rhinitis have a higher

incidence of asthma than does the general population, recent studies

showing butterbur's effectiveness in treating that upper-respiratory

disorder as well are very encouraging.10

In 2003, Dr. Lee and his associates at the University of Dundee found

that patients who treated their asthma with inhaled corticosteroids

breathed better when they added 25 mg of butterbur twice daily to

their treatment regimen.11

In an open trial at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, 64

adults and 16 children with asthma reported a decrease in the number,

duration, and severity of asthma attacks during two months of

butterbur therapy compared to baseline.

In addition, the participants demonstrated improvements in forced

expiratory volume, a measure of the amount of air exhaled in a forced

breath.

Participants were allowed to use other asthma medications as

needed during this two-month trial.12

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/may2006_report_butterbur_01.htm

Alana