Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and bronchial system in the body. When a trigger enters someone’s respiratory system, the bronchial tubes, which lead from the nose and mouth to the lungs, start to constrict and tighten causing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
With so many rescue inhalers and prescribed control medications offered by doctors, it could be important to also look at more natural options to helping your breathing return to normal.
Some dietary supplements could even provide the right amount of benefits to help you wean off of your controller medicines. These cheaper over the counter options could help to lower the overall cost of your monthly medical expenses.
In recent years, there has been an insurgence of reported asthma diagnoses. A study from 2009 showed that 8.2% of the population were living with asthma, while the more current statistics show this population has grown to 8.3% of all Americans.
In adults, according to this same study, women were far more likely than men to have developed this disease. Additionally, it was found that the younger you are, the more likely it is to develop asthma. However, with this increase in diagnoses, some doctors have turned to vitamin and mineral supplements to help your body cope with a faulty respiratory system. These 8 supplements offered the most benefits, shown in various different studies, for the average asthma sufferer.
1. Antioxidants
Especially found both in Vitamins A and E, antioxidants were found to be in lower concentrations in the bodies of children with asthma. Taking these vitamins orally could help to boost these levels, helping to better control asthma symptoms.
2. Black Seed
Produced from the cumin plant, these small seeds contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties. As asthma symptoms are primarily caused by the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, these benefits could be targeted directly to help relax the muscles and allow for easier breathing.
3. Caffeine
Caffeine also offers anti-inflammatory benefits. As these compounds are not as highly concentrated, some studies do state that three cups of coffee per day are needed to get the full benefits from the caffeine.
4. Choline
Found in most B Vitamins, this nutrient was studied in mice that suffer from seasonal allergies. These allergies are one of the most common triggers for asthma symptoms. By combining this into a nasal spray with Vitamin C and selenium, choline was shown to help reduce asthma symptoms.
5. Magnesium
Studies have shown that asthma sufferers have lower magnesium levels in their body than the rest of the population. Turning the magnesium into a breathable supplement, it can help to open the airways more directly. Taking a low dose capsule of magnesium everyday could also help to balance your nutrient levels to ward off future attacks.
6. Omega-3s
Packed with fatty acids, Omega-3s are well known anti-inflammatories. As the trademark problem with asthma, this special oil can help to open your airways again and keep them open in order to restore normal breathing.
7. Pycnogenol
Yet another known inflammation reducer, this compound comes from the bark of French pine trees. Tested in a small lab in 2013, this herbal remedy is a natural way to help ward off the inflammation that is always seen with asthma.
8. Thymol
Last, but not least, is the extract from the herb, thyme. As part of a study in 2014 including asthmatic mice, this extract was placed in their throats and was shown to help alleviate the inflammation in the bronchial tubes.
Overall, it has become clear that asthma has been on the rise, it is even more important to learn what are the different options to help treat this disease. From 4.07% prevalence in 1997, to 8.3% in 2009 and another small increase to 8.4% in 2016, asthma is finally coming to the forefront of medical problems.
But, if your asthma is well controlled, there are many over the counter supplements you could try to help ease your respiratory system and calm your breathing. From antioxidants to vitamins to anti-inflammatories, all of these types of dietary supplements could help you keep control over your asthma without needing those harsh, doctor-prescribed inhalers.