Asthma

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Eliminate foods and preservatives (especially sulfites) that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods). Generally, the younger an asthma patient, the more the allergen will be food. The older a patient, the more the allergen will be to inhalants.
Consider a cleansing diet to lower body toxicity levels since accumulated toxins are often a precursor to asthma attacks
Many people, especially children, should avoid sulfites and aspirin due to a common defect in sulfur metabolism
Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates
Decrease consumption of foods with arachidonic acid (red meat and dairy products)
Consume more: EPA and linolenic acid sources (flax oil, canola oil, walnuts, cold water fish, herring, sardines, salmon)
Eat lots of onions
Caffeine, tea and other substances containing methyl-xanthines can increase bronchodilation during asthmatic episodes

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Beta-Carotene: 100,000 I.U.
Vitamin B6: 50 - 200 mg.
Vitamin B12: 1,000 mcg. daily IM
Vitamin C: to bowel tolerance (usually 5 - 15 gm.)
Magnesium: 125 - 500 mg.
Molybdenum: 1 - 3 mg.
Selenium: 250 - 400 mcg.

Supplements: (references)

N-Acetyl Cysteine: 500 - 1000 mg.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 3 gm.
Quercetin: 500 mg. 30 minutes before meals
Hydrochloric Acid: 10 - 70 grains per meal (if lab work confirms)
Coenzyme Q10: 60 mg. in small divided doses every 3 - 4 hours

Botanicals: (references)

Respiratory Support - *Urtica urens, *Euphrasia officinalis , *Eriodictyon californicum, *Astragalus membranaceus , *Bupleurum chinense , *Inula helenium, *Zea mays, *Verbascum thapsus, *Armoracia rusticana: 1/4 tsp every 3 hours during an attack

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

Asthma, altitude, from:
Asthma, anger, after:
Asthma, anxiety, with:
Asthma, bronchial catarrh, with:
Asthma, in children:
Asthma, cold air agg:
Asthma, cold air amel:
Asthma, after coughing:
Asthma, agg by dry weather:
Asthma, after eating:
Asthma, from inhaling dust:
Asthma, after emotions:
Asthma, after exertion:
Asthma, after excitement:
Asthma, after fright:
Asthma, heat, agg:
Asthma, humid:
Asthma, hysterical:
Asthma, laughing, agg:
Asthma, from moldy environment:
Asthma, sleep, coming on during:
Asthma, vaccination, after:
Asthma, weather, change of, agg:

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Abnormal sulfur metabolism IV therapy: use during attack
*Asthma IV therapy
*Tonic IV therapy
*Hydrogen peroxide bath: fill tub with water at 98-100 degrees; add 13-16 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and soak; rest after bath
Strengthen intestinal mucosa, i.e., repair leaky gut
Avoid antibiotics, especially in the first few years of life
Avoid chemical exposure, e.g., hair dressing salons
Regular exercise is often beneficial (unless the asthma is exercise-induced)
Avoid living near high levels of automobile and truck traffic and other forms of pollution
Stop smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
Avoid living in damp surroundings
Obese asthmatic children should lose weight

Recommended Labs:

Check for asthma: Pulmonary Function, Sputum for Eosinophils
Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody, IgG and IgE Inhalent Allergy Antibody
Rule out hypothyroidism: Thyroid Panel with TSH
Rule out lung cancer: Chest X-Ray
Rule out tuberculosis: PPD Skin, QuantiFERON-TB

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.