Two Vitamins That Lower The Risk of Asthma

Did you know that asthma affects over sixteen million people in the United States? It’s also a frequent cause of emergency room visits, lost time from work and school, and, in severe cases, hospitalization. No one knows exactly what causes this common lung disease, but there seems to be a genetic component since it tends to run in families. Environmental factors are also known to play a role – particularly exposure to air pollution and allergens. There’s even evidence that diet can alter the risk of asthma. A new study suggests that two vitamins in particular may be associated with a reduced risk of asthma.

The Risk of Asthma and Vitamins: A Study

A recent study published in the medical journal Thorax showed that a diet low in vitamins A and C may increase the risk of asthma. By reviewing forty different studies of people with asthma and comparing them to those without asthma, they found that those with low levels of dietary vitamin A had a higher asthma risk as well as a greater chance of developing more severe asthma symptoms. The risk of asthma was also higher in those with low levels of vitamin C as determined by a blood test. The researchers also looked at vitamin E and found it didn’t elevate the risk of asthma, but did increase the likelihood of having more severe symptoms.

Why Would Vitamins A and C Reduce the Risk of Asthma?

Both of these vitamins are strong antioxidants which play a role in protecting the lungs against asthma. Some studies suggest that oxidative stress alters the air passages in such a way as to bring on symptoms of asthma. The presence of antioxidants such as vitamin A and C could offset this effect. Previous studies have suggested that other antioxidant vitamins such as beta-carotene and selenium may also play a protective effect in terms of asthma risk

What about Vitamin Supplements for Reducing the Risk of Asthma?

There’s no evidence that taking vitamin A and C supplements decreases the risk of asthma, although this isn’t an area that’s been well studied. Most experts don’t recommend taking supplemental antioxidant vitamins since one large study showed they increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Even though supplements aren’t recommended, diets high in vitamins A and C could have some protective effect. In fact, a European study showed that asthma symptoms were more pronounced in those who ate less fruit and had low blood levels of vitamin C.

Vitamins A and C for Reducing the Risk of Asthma: The Bottom Line

If you’re concerned about the risk of asthma, don’t reach for a bottle of supplements, but instead add more vitamin A and C rich foods to your diet. Not only will you be doing your lungs a favor, but the rest of your body as well.