What Does This Mean For People With Asthma
If you have asthma, you may want to speak with your asthma care provider about checking your vitamin D levels. If you are deficient, talk to your provider to see if it might be worth trying a supplement.
Vitamin D is NOT an asthma treatment and NEVER replaces your prescription medicine. It will not make your lungs function better or treat day-to-day asthma symptoms. If you and your doctor decide you should take a vitamin D supplement, you must also take your prescribed asthma medicine. You should not take vitamin D with certain medicines, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Read package inserts to make sure there arent any interactions.
Scientists need to conduct more studies about vitamin Ds effects on children.
Breathe Easier By Adding Key Supplements Today
Persons with asthma should seek medical advice first before using any supplement. More importantly, supplements are not a replacement for inhalers or other medications. Use these supplements in conjunction with prescribed asthma medication. Consistent use may reduce coughing, wheezing, or other symptoms due to the ability to reduce inflammation. Get the much-needed support from a doctor or pharmacist on the right combination of these 4 supplements.
Design Setting And Participants
The Vitamin D to Prevent Severe Asthma Exacerbations Study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin D3 supplementation to improve the time to severe exacerbations in high-risk children with asthma aged 6 to 16 years taking low-dose inhaled corticosteroids and with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL. Participants were recruited from 7 US centers. Enrollment started in February 2016, with a goal of 400 participants the trial was terminated early due to futility, and follow-up ended in September 2019.
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Vitamin D And Asthma Pathogenesis
A study conducted by Gupta, et al. was the pioneer research in concluding that serum vitamin D levels were found to be lowest among children with steroid resistant asthma with reduced lung function, increased corticosteroid use, and asthma exacerbations. The probable reason for this is because low vitamin D levels increase the airway smooth muscle and reduce lung function in severe asthma .
Evidence from Observational Studies
Vitamin D is only used for primary prevention for asthma but it also has a role in asthma exacerbation. A cross-sectional study of 616 asthmatic children in Costa Rica between the ages of 6 and 14 years, reported that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was prevalent in 28% of the children and increased levels of vitamin D were related with reduction in asthma exacerbations and reduced visits to emergency department . A 4-year longitudinal study was conducted by Brehm, et al. to establish causal relations between serum vitamin D levels and asthma exacerbations in 1024 North American asthmatic children with mild to moderate asthma . This study confirmed that less levels of vitamin D had increased risk of asthma exacerbations . In addition, the study also concluded that children with vitamin D insufficiency had higher chances of asthma exacerbation .
What Is Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a nutrient and building block your body needs to create and maintain healthy bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb nutrients and amino acids like calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. It is crucial to bone health because the human body can only absorb calcium when vitamin D is present.2
Vitamin D also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help many functions in the body. It can help boost the immune system, muscle function, and brain cell activity.2
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Sunshine Vitamin ‘may Treat Asthma’
Health and science reporter, BBC News
The amount of time asthma patients spend soaking up the sun may have an impact on the illness, researchers have suggested.
A team at King’s College London said low levels of vitamin D, which is made by the body in sunlight, was linked to a worsening of symptoms.
Its latest research shows the vitamin calms an over-active part of the immune system in asthma.
However, treating patients with vitamin D has not yet been tested.
People with asthma can find it hard to breathe when their airways become inflamed, swollen and narrowed.
Most people are treated with steroids, but the drugs do not work for all.
Clear Up Coughing With Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient needed for overall health and wellness. While the body can create some choline, most of the nutrient comes from diet and supplements. Choline supports a healthy liver, nervous system, helps manage cholesterol, among several other benefits. Initial research revealed choline combined with other vitamins reduced respiratory illness in mice. The outlook continues to look positive on the effectiveness of choline in the fight against asthma.
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Contact Us Today For Asthma Relief
Are you fed up with living with asthma? If so, let us help you breathe more easily.The Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgiacan help you manage your asthma symptoms safely and effectively. We are able to diagnose and treat both adult and children. Call us today at 404-994-3574 to set up your appointment.
Asthma Rates And Vitamin Deficiencies
The hypothesis is based in large part on higher rates of asthma in Western countries where diets rich in refined sugar, fats, and processed foods have led to widespread deficiencies of certain vitamins, including vitamin D and B complex vitamins.
By comparison, the rate of asthma in non-industrialized parts of the world that rely on real foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is generally lower. Although nutritional deficiencies are common in developing countries, those deficiencies are driven more by malnutrition than by the dietary habits of the population.
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The Nhs On Asthma Dietary Supplements
The NHS consistently reviews and observes studies conducted by researchers throughout the UK to assure people about the legitimacy and inconsistencies when providing conclusions and links. Two studies will be followed to offer potential conclusions about the effectiveness of dietary supplements for asthma.
In 2009, a study conducted by the medical journal Thorax, carried out by Drs Allen, Britton, and Leonardi-Bee from the University of Nottingham attempted to connect the association between vitamins A, C, and E to asthma and see if it had potential relief side effects. However, both the studies and NHS found that the connection between these vitamins and relief from asthma symptoms were weak due to potential biases underlying the study, how the researchers could not control the factors such as age, economic status, smoking, and BMI into the analysis and that the causation for the possible connection could not be identified.
Bet On Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil has powerful antioxidant properties. Made from the nigella sativa seeds, black seed oil helps skin care, diabetes, liver health, and other issues. There are also anti-inflammatory properties involved. Some research revealed a reduced amount of inflammation in the lungs when taken consistently.
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Can Vitamin D Help My Asthma
Asthma is a disease that can’t be cured, only managed. There are plenty of things you can do to cut down on your risk of having an asthma attack, and one of them may be taking vitamin D supplements. While vitamin D isn’t a replacement for asthma medicine prescribed by a doctor, some researchers have found that taking vitamin D supplements on a daily basis helps to cut down on asthma flare-ups.
Is Vitamin C Good For Asthma And Wheezing
Some studies suggest vitamin C might help control wheezing and other symptoms in people with certain types of asthma. These beneficial effects might be linked to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C.
In this article, we look at epidemiological studies and clinical trials that have been done on vitamin C and asthma.
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Vitamin D And Immune System
Vitamin D plays a significant part in inborn and adaptive immunity however, it is not completely understood . It is reported that over 900 genes are regulated by vitamin D . This action of vitamin D has gained immense acceptance after the discovery of vitamin D receptor . Several studies have shown that vitamin D prevents the increase of CD41 T-cells and decreases the creation of Th1 cytokines IL-17 . However, due to alterations in target cells timing and quantity of vitamin administration, studies have shown contrasting results. Evidence suggests that innate immunity is activated by the production of anti-microbial peptide LL-37 by macrophages . The adaptive immune system increases the production of T-cells and modifies the functions of antigen-presenting cells , of dendritic cells. In addition, vitamin D has been revealed to improve and inhibit IL-4 production by naive T-cells .
Vitamin D Supplements May Reduce Asthma Severity
Adding vitamin D supplements to standard medication could reduce the severity of asthma attacks for individuals with the respiratory condition, suggests a new review.
Researchers found that people with asthma who took vitamin D supplements alongside their usual medication were 50 percent less likely to visit the emergency department or require hospital admission as a result of an asthma attack.
What is more, the researchers found that vitamin D supplementation was linked to a reduction in the need for steroid injections or tablets following an asthma attack.
Lead researcher Prof. Adrian Martineau, from Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom, and colleagues recently reported their findings in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Asthma is one of the biggest health burdens across the globe, affecting approximately 300 million children and adults. In the United States alone, around 25 million people have asthma, and this number rises every year.
Although there is currently no cure for asthma, there are medications that can help patients to manage the condition and reduce their risk of an asthma attack.
But these medications are not always effective each year in the U.S., there are around 1.8 million visits to the emergency department for asthma attacks, and the condition causes 10 deaths in the country every day.
As such, researchers are searching for ways to further reduce asthma severity. Could vitamin D be one such strategy?
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Nutrients Acting As Methyl Donors: Folate Vitamin B12 And Choline
DNA methylation, a type of epigenetic regulation, has recently been recognized as a mechanism underlying some gene-by-environment interactions on complex diseases such as asthma. In particular, changes in DNA methylation may influence the pathogenesis of asthma by increasing or decreasing the expression levels of disease-susceptibility genes.
DNA methylation is catalyzed by enzymes that transfer methyl groups from the methylating agent S-adenosylmethionine to cytosine. In humans, methyl donors for DNA methylation are mostly derived from dietary methyl groups. Folate and choline-dependent pathways interact at the point that homocysteine is converted to methionine for derivation of SAM . In the first pathway, tetrahydrofolates and vitamin B12 are cofactors required by methionine synthase. In the second pathway, the methylation of homocysteine to form methionine is catalyzed by betaine homocysteine methyltransferase . Both transmethylation metabolic pathways closely interconnect with methyltetrahydrofolate , B12, choline, and methionine. shows how methyl donors affect DNA methylation and, potentially, immune responses.
Potential mechanisms of action of methyl donors and vitamins on Th1 and Th2 immune responses. BHMT: betaine-homocysteine methyl-transferase, RORt: retinoic acid-related orphan receptor t, GATA-3: GATA binding protein 3, T-bet: T-box transcription factor, FOXP3: forkhead box P3, STAT: signal transducer and activator of transcription.
Breaking Down The Disease
Asthma directly affects the respiratory system. The lungs contain bronchi and bronchioles. These are large and small passageways that circulate air in the lungs. A substance called mucosa line these passageways. In some people, the mucosa and muscles in the passageways become inflamed. With smaller passageways for air to circulate, these persons will have difficulty breathing when inflammation happens. Asthma attacks occur due to triggers like smoke, dust, pollen, or rigorous exercise. Even stress and cold weather cause attacks. While inhalers are the go-to treatment for asthma, these 4 supplements may help with asthma symptoms.
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Top Dietary Supplements For Asthma
Understanding the risks behind taking dietary supplements for asthma, and if theyre recommended to you by your GP or asthma nurse, these supplements could potentially work for you. Before taking any supplements, please inform your primary care doctor about the herbs for asthma you plan or are currently taking, as theyll be able to best guide you on how those supplements will affect your overall health. Below, here are some of the top recommendations for dietary supplements for asthma and the current research suggesting its advantages:
Vitamin A As a critical component for development and growth, vitamin A may also have the ability to reduce asthma by controlling oxidative stress caused by pro-inflammatory cells, and enhance the immune system response to airway inflammation and help reduce tissue damage caused by severe asthma reactions.
Vitamin C Vitamin C has been claimed as one of the primary antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation triggered by antigens. Its ability to help protect the immune system during colds, which is known to be one main trigger for people living with asthma. Low vitamin C intake has been linked to pulmonary dysfunction, and those who take vitamin C have an improved chance of relieving their asthma symptoms.
Choline As a water-soluble nutrient, choline assists with the lipid signals, membrane structure, and neurotransmitters. Its ability to reduce DNA methylation and reduce choline intake tend to suffer from more bronchial activity.
Study Design And Treatment
The study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with each participant randomly assigned to either daily placebo capsules or daily vitamin D3, 4000 IU , plus inhaled fluticasone propionate . Eligible participants were screened between February of 2016 and March of 2019 and enrolled if they met inclusion criteria. After a 4-week run-in period in which participants received placebo capsules plus inhaled fluticasone and as-needed inhaled albuterol , those who met inclusion criteria at entry and during run-in were randomized .
Selection of Study Participants
FEV1 indicates forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration.
aSum is greater than 376 because potential participants could fail screening more than once and could fail for more than 1 reason.
bSum is greater than 27 because participants could enter run-in more than once and could fail for more than 1 reason.
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The Best Vitamins Minerals And Supplements For Asthma
A balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and this is especially true in people with asthma. While no single vitamin, mineral or supplement can treat or cure asthma, research shows that adequate nutrition may relate to the number of asthma attacks and frequency of symptoms experienced. More specifically, ensuring adequate levels of the vitamins C, D, E and the mineral magnesium may be especially important, since links between low levels of these vitamins and asthma symptoms have been reported.
Dealing With The Dangers Of Asthma
Over 30 million Americans have asthma. And anyone with the disease knows how scary managing symptoms can be. Asthma is a chronic and dangerous lung disease. People living with asthma feel symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. If left unchecked, these symptoms worsen and can even cause death. Fortunately, some supplements can help reduce symptoms.
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How Does Food Relate To Breathing
Metabolism is the process of changing food to fuel in the body. Oxygen is important in this process to help burn the foods nutrient molecules. When sugars, fibers, fats and proteins are broken down, energy is the final product. Carbon dioxide is created as a waste product and is exhaled.
Different types of nutrients require different amounts of oxygen and produce different amounts of carbon dioxide. Carbohydrates use more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide, whereas fats produce less carbon dioxide for the amount of oxygen consumed. “Some people with COPD feel that eating a diet with fewer carbohydrates and more healthy fats helps them breathe easier,” says Traci Gonzales, nurse practitioner and volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
Vitamin D Supplementation: Can It Really Help Treat Asthma
But whether vitamin D supplements are effective for symptoms of asthma is debatable. Earlier this year, MNT reported on a study published in JAMA, in which researchers claimed that for people with asthma, vitamin D supplements do not improve symptoms or treatment.
In adults with persistent asthma and lower vitamin D levels, treatment with vitamin D3 did not reduce the rate of first treatment failure or exacerbation. These findings do not support a strategy of therapeutic vitamin D3 supplementation in patients with symptomatic asthma, the researchers of that study wrote.
The team involved in this latest study, however, suggest the opposite, noting that it is frustrating that prevalence of asthma is not declining when so much is known about how to treat the illness and reduce its effects on patients lives. Increasing vitamin D levels is something we can easily do to improve patients quality of life, adds Dr. Confino-Cohen.
MNT recently reported on a study suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of poor brain function among patients who have been resuscitated after sudden cardiac arrest.
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How Can It Benefit People With Asthma
Multiple studies show that vitamin D can improve lung function in people with asthma. Because of this positive relationship, vitamin D may be a helpful supplemental therapy.3
Studies show vitamin D helps boost immune responses to viruses that trigger asthma attacks. It also decreases inflammatory responses.1
Inflammation is the root of the problem in asthma. It makes the airways sensitive to triggers like allergens, mold, chemicals, and viruses. The airways react to these triggers by becoming narrow. In turn, this makes breathing difficult.4
