Nutritional Recommendations in Asthmatic Patients

Abstract

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease, and airway inflammation has an important role in its pathogenesis. Some nutritional factors can influence the process of asthma. It is reported that saffron has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and muscle relaxant effects, and some animal and human studies showed that saffron and its active components (safranal and crocin) improved the asthma biomarkers and clinical symptoms. Some other nutritional factors also affect asthma; for example, magnesium can relax the muscles and thus has bronchodilatory effects. Curcumin is the major active component of turmeric which has a potent antioxidant, anti-inflam-matory, and anti-allergic effects. Because some researchers suggested that intestinal microbial flora has an important role in allergy, probiotics can be a complementary supplement for asthmatic patients. Generally nutritional factors could be advised for asthmatic patients with the goal of reducing the needs for chemical drugs.