Vitamins for Chronic Lung Disease Wilmington DE

Eat C, Breathe Free

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As asthma rates continue to skyrocket among children, frustrated scientists continue to search for causes—and they may have just gotten lucky. Kids are more likely to develop the chronic lung disease when they have low levels of vitamin C, according to a study from Johns Hopkins University.

The vitamin appears to be as important as better-known risk factors, including family history and exposure to certain allergens, says Robert A. Wise, the study’s lead author. Wise looked at data on more than 4,000 boys and girls between the ages of six and 17. He found that those with blood levels of vitamin C in the bottom 20th percentile were 40 percent more likely to develop asthma than those with normal or high levels.

It’s not clear whether low levels of C actually cause asthma or are simply a marker for other aspects of the disease. “It could be that your body is using up its C to fight asthma’s inflammation,” says Wise. But until studies confirm the link, it can’t hurt to give children a good multivitamin plus a C supplement—especially if they have asthma risk factors.

And, of course, make sure they get plenty of C-rich fruits and vegetables. Oranges are an obvious choice, but don’t forget strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.

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