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ASTHMA By Othon Molina, Ph.d.c, LMT This is information to complement conventional medicine, not diagnose or prescribe. Consult with your doctor before starting any kind of nutritional or physical program. ASTHMA is considered a spasm or inflammation of the bronchial tubs that lead to the lungs. Often due to allergies, airborne pollution, emotions or a sensitivity out of the “Norm”. Some researchers think it could be inherited or genetic weakness. It can happen at any age, yet more common during childhood, some do outgrow it. About 6 to 7% of the population has asthma, and more common in males. The main problem is not in taking a breath, in but in releasing it. From a “Wisdom of the Body” standpoint it has to do with letting go of certain attitudes, or holding on to certain emotions. Stress increases asthmatics condition or can even bring about an attack. This tells us is that asthma, can be tied with our emotions. Asthma can be as different as the patient that has it. I feel very strongly about this with all symptoms or diseases as we need to treat the whole person for best results. Most asthmatics have air born allergies, and or sensitivity to foods. Often times the traditional allergy tests like skin or blood test can confirm certain serious allergies. However it’s some un-common food allergies that may be the problem. By just eliminating common known allergens such as; dairy products, wheat, peanuts, excessive sugar and according to other nutritional doctors certain shell fish, shrimp and sulfates seem to improve the condition. There are very good alternative sources for calcium, green leafy vegetables, cabbage and cauliflower, as well as sunflower seeds and almonds. You can purchase soy, almond or rice milk, these alternative products are less mucus forming. Once again every individual is very different, care must be used if certain foods are eliminated and then introduced again, as they may have a harsher reaction to them. In Hawaii we have, molds, mildew and certain air born allergens, such as pollen or certain dusts. Some asthmatics are allergic to plain dust. If your child has sensitivities to these pollutants, there are air purifiers, ionizing machines etc, that can benefit in the home. You may even want to get de-humidifiers for their bedroom, all of these things can help. Acording to Dr. Robert Young, having the body be more alkaline will strengthen the immune system. The body can do quite well on a diet low in protein and high in greens, vegetables and little carbohydrates. Changing ones diet will take time to see any results. You will not see dramatic effects on a long term condition in a few short months. Look for asthma triggers, excess mucus, or if after eating a pizza the kid gets a runny nose and starts to cough it may tell you something. This is an obvious one, but there are many more subtle ones. Foods that create a lot of gas, can cause pressure on the diaphragm and sometimes trigger an asthma attack as well so watch for that. For adults, alcohol varies in it’s effect, it can help some (I think it calms them) or make it worse, as often it conflicts with digestion. Wine may make the condition worse because of the many sulfates used in making it. Caffeine can have a modest, acute anti-asthma relief, probably because of its chemical similarity to the asthma medicine, Theophylline. However, I wouldn’t recommend using coffee, it should be reduced because of it’s high acidity. As I said earlier, eat lots of greens they are great for the body, the key is try and eliminate acid foods, like meats, bread, sweets, salt and dairy products. Broccoli is one of the best, vegetables as it is 65% protein. Eat more avocados, they are not fattening, it has the good fat. Eat more onions and garlic with your food. Increase tofu or fish, tuna, and salmon being high in Omega 3, use sea kelp for minerals and seasoning. Bee pollen has even proved to be helpful if eaten from local sources. Be sure to start with a few granules at a time and work up to two or three teaspoons daily, it’s great in smoothies. Discontinue if rashes or wheezing occurs in those small amounts. The best herbs or natural foods are garlic and onions, but Gingko Biloba (Known best for it's benefit on the mind or "anti-senility" may help). Tintures of Lobelia, goldenseal and bee propolis may workgreat for the kids during an attack. Not for long term use either though. Other herbs that are beneficial are; Mullein oil, in tea or juice. Slippery elm tea or tablets, horsetail, juniper berries, licorice root and Pau d’arco tea. Ma Huang a Chinese herb (Ephedra sinica) used as a tea, twice daily may be quite helpful. This plant is a source of the asthma medicine, Ephedrine, a close-cousin of Theophylline, a widely used asthma medicine. However, most doctors recommend the use of prescription medicines Theophylline or Ephedrine since the potency in herbs is not consistent. Tylophora asthmatica in tea twice daily. This Indian herb has been used to treat asthma in the Ayedurvic tradition for thousands of years. Consult an allergist and get a food and skin tests to determine your food allergies or other air born allergies. Keep in mind the interpretation of these tests is highly subjective. Many times it depends on the doctor that you are working with. Find one that also works with nutrition. Sources; Richard Podell, M.D ; Andrew Weil MD, John McDougall MD., James F. Balch MD.. Phyllis Balch CNC and Robert Young
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