How You Can You Prevent Asthma Attacks with this One Simple Nutrient

Asthma and allergies continue to rise in our country and around the world. Not only is this detrimental to the health of the person suffering from the condition, but it is also costing billions of dollars in lost work. So . . . what if there was one simple nutrient that would help prevent those debilitating asthma attacks? New research suggests that there might be.

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry recently published the findings from a study that linked lycopene and lowering the risk of asthma. The study was conducted because previous evidence showing supplements of lycopene may have the ability to protect against inflammation in the lungs.

Overview of the Study
Mice were used for the research. It was found that carotenoids, which are commonly associated with tomatoes, had the ability to decrease the response of inflammatory cytokines in the mice. The carotenoids also decreased the number of eosinophils by nearly double. Eosinophils are the white blood cells that are associated with immune responses from allergies or asthma.

This information was critical in providing the evidence that dietary supplementation with lycopene plays a key role prior to and during the onset of an asthma attack. The lycopene assisted in reducing the eosinophilic infiltration of the lungs and system.

But lycopene’s benefits don’t stop there! When lycopene is used as an antioxidant it has been noted to improve:

• Heart health
• Blood pressure
• Prostrate health
• Onset of osteoporosis
• Skin Health

Details of the Study
To start the study the researchers divided the mice into two groups. One group received their normal diet and water. The other group received additional lycopene plus their regular diet and water. All of the mice in the subject groups were then given a trigger called ovalbumin that created asthma-type symptoms in the lungs of the mice. The results showed that the mice who took the lycopene supplement significantly reduced eosinophilic infiltration into their lung fluid, tissue, and blood. Even more beneficial was the fact that the levels of inflammatory cytokines were also reduced. In the control group it was found that those levels increased.

Conclusion Regarding Supplements:
After conducting the studies and evaluating the data the scientists concluded that the supplementation of a diet with lycopene reduced the allergic inflammatory properties in the lungs and respiratory system.  It also decreased cytokine responses. That helps confirm that lycopene supplements most likely have a protective effect against asthma and allergies.

Why is This Important?
The European Federal of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA) stated that their studies showed that over thirty million Europeans suffer from asthma. The cost to Europe was a staggering €17.7bn every year.  The estimated losses to employers from asthma and allergy sufferers missing work costs an estimated €9.8bn.

Recommendations for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers:
The research and evidence seem very clear when it comes to asthma and allergy attacks and prevention.  A diet that provides high levels of lycopene will help in reducing inflammation and other systematic issues when it comes stopping an asthma attack or helping to eliminate the onset of one. Due to the growing number of people who have been diagnosed with asthma, studies and research continue to be done.