What is Asthma?
The vision of the Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition is to decrease the burden of asthma in Indiana. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines asthma as a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine such as steroid inhalers and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. Asthma triggers can include a variety of different things such as animal fur or dander, perfumes, pollen and temperature changes; it is less well known that diet can play an important role when it comes to asthma.
The Importance of a Balanced Diet
Fruits, vegetables, and dairy are an important part of a balanced diet, but did you know that their consumption can be directly linked to asthma? Studies have been conducted comparing children and adults who eat high amounts of fruit and vegetables to those who eat less, eating more fruits and vegetables shows a reduced risk of developing asthma in children and adults. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and dairy, along with an increased intake of plant-based oils, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds in addition to fiber can help protect our cells from damage even the ones in our lungs. Eating a balanced diet can potentially help your asthma by keeping your overall health in good condition. While there is no cure for asthma, you can help improve your symptoms by eating nutritious foods as often as possible.
What’s Next?
One of the best ways to help is to become educated and take action today! The Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition (InJAC) provides Indiana with resources and articles to learn more about asthma and other health challenges communities face.
The Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition will be hosting their second annual Asthma Summit on Thursday August 25, 2022 from 10am-2pm EST. This event is free and virtual, register at this link.
Resources
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 22). Asthma. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/default.htm
2. Alwarith, J., Kahleova, H., Crosby, L., Brooks, A., Brandon, L., Levin, S. M., & Barnard, N. D. (2020, May 1). Role of nutrition in asthma prevention and treatment. OUP Academic. Retrieved March 22, 2022, from https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/78/11/928/5804968?login=true
