Vitamin C Jackson MS

Asthma relief can be as simple as eating more fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, according to numerous studies. Vitamin C, in particular, may soothe inflammation in the lungs of asthmatics who are often deficient in these free-radical-fighting compounds.

A natural antihistamine, vitamin C may also prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks if you take enough (1 to 2 grams) before working out.

An August 2005 study in the European Respiratory Journal showed that a group of 28 people with severe asthma had markedly lower levels of antioxidants in their blood compared with 53 people who had mild asthma and 43 who did not suffer from asthma at all.

An observational study done in Italy (April 2000) showed that asthmatic children may also benefit from eating more fruit. Researchers there noticed that kids who ate more kiwi and citrus fruits were less susceptible to asthma and wheezing. A year later, a follow-up study of 4,000 children still found eating fruit to be an effective antidote to most asthma symptoms.

While you don’t want to hang up your inhaler (or your child’s) just yet, do stock up on mandarins, kiwi, oranges and strawberries. They’re a tasty way to up your “C” quotient and breathe easier.

—Nancy Alfaro

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