Diet Strategies for Obese Asthma Sufferers
There are more than 300 million people who suffer from asthma and even a greater amount of the population who struggle with obesity. Did you know that almost half of the people who suffer from asthma are also obese? It can be very difficult to lose weight and control asthma at the same time, but it is not impossible.
As many of you know that asthma is a non-contagious respiratory disease that can cause symptoms such as: wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and tightness of the chest. Scientific studies prove that asthma isn’t always acquired genetically, and can actually be acquired from environmental irritants like smoke or humidity. Most cases of asthma develop during childhood, around the ages of 3 through 14. There are also many cases of asthma developing in adults.
Struggling with obesity and asthma can lead to very serious issues. Your lungs need room to expand properly and receive oxygen. However, if you have excess fat especially in the mid-region of the body this will not allow your lungs to function properly and cause you to have more asthma attacks from the blockage. This is why it is so important to maintain a healthy weight.
Allergies are not the cause of asthma, but can trigger an asthma attack. There are various allergies and to say that all asthma sufferers are allergic to the same things is incorrect. Food allergies are recognized by your body’s immune system and can be harmful. This can cause the swelling or irritation and causes an asthma attack in asthmatics. Food allergies can differ from person to person, but there are certain foods that every asthmatic should avoid or reduce in their diets.
Salt is created from sodium chloride and when consumed can cause an increase in fluids to the lung tissues. Reduce or eliminate the amount of salt intake in your diet to help reduce asthma attacks. Reducing salt is also great to lose weight. Large doses of salt can cause dehydration, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and asthma. Reducing salt and other additives is the key to losing weight and preventing severe asthma attacks.
Processed foods usually consist of sulfites and should be reduced or eliminated in your diet. This will greatly reduce asthma attacks and help you to lose weight as well. Instead try eating foods that are whole grain and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Excess mucus can cause your respiratory tract to become irritated and cause you to have an asthma attack. These types of foods that should be reduced include: white sugar, white flour, chocolate, milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
Scientific studies have shown a large amount of asthma sufferers lacking Vitamin C. There are vitamin supplements that can be substituted to supply the vitamins your body needs. However, the ingredients to create the products are not always safe and can do more harm to your body. Consuming fresh fruit and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C is necessary to control your asthma and lose weight at the same time. You can also drink fruit juices or other beverages that are rich in Vitamin C as well.
Drinking plenty of water helps you feel replenished and keeps the body hydrated throughout the day. Consuming water also helps bring oxygen to the body and keeps the body functioning properly. The recommended amount of water to consume per day is 6 to 8 glasses. Excessive water consumption can lead to thinning of the blood, so keeping track of how much you drink per day is important. Drinking water instead of carbonated beverages can help to lose weight, reduce asthma attacks, produce healthy skin growth, and keeps the body healthy.
The best way to help reduce asthma attacks and lose weight is to maintain a healthy diet plan and exercise daily. Always consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise or diet regime. If you are unaware of any allergies you can ask your doctor to perform a patch test that helps determine what you are allergic to or what cause you to be irritated.
