Rethinking Asthma: A Body Out of Balance

Introduction

Asthma affects about 27 million Americans today, which is nearly 8% of the population, and the numbers keep rising. Back in the early 1990s, asthma cases went up quickly—from 10.4 million in 1990 to 14.6 million in 1994. Among young people aged 5 to 24, the death rate from asthma nearly doubled between 1980 and 1993.

 

Its striking increase in industrialized nations suggests a powerful connection to our modern environment and lifestyle, factors that many believe hold clues to its root causes. This exploration delves into the complex nature of asthma, moving beyond conventional symptom management to investigate triggers you might not expect – from the invisible pollutants inside our homes to the surprising role of diet and digestion – ultimately suggesting why a deeper understanding of these underlying factors may be key to truly addressing this growing health challenge.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed. This makes it difficult to breathe and can lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma can be triggered by things like allergens, exercise, cold air, or stress. Although there is no cure, it is typically managed with medications and by avoiding triggers.

 

Despite decades of research, doctors still don’t fully understand asthma. There’s no single test or marker for it, and the disease shows up in many ways. It can be triggered by a variety of causes, reacts differently to treatments, and leads to different outcomes for each person. What’s clear is that asthma is becoming more common, especially in cities and developed countries, and experts are still trying to figure out exactly why.

 

What Causes Asthma?

Doctors believe asthma is a mix of genetics and environmental. It often runs in families, which suggests a genetic link, but no specific "asthma gene" has been found yet. It's also likely that people in the same family share environmental risks—like exposure to pollution or poor diet—which can contribute to developing asthma.

 

Some known risk factors include:

• Low birth weight or weak lungs at birth
• Maternal smoking during pregnancy
• Use of certain drugs during labor
• Cesarean section births
• Illness or medical treatment in the first week of life
• Formula feeding instead of breastfeeding. 

 

Breastfeeding appears to protect against asthma.

 

The strongest risk factor is atopy, which is a tendency to develop allergies. If someone is allergic to things like dust mites, pet dander, mold, or pollen, they’re more likely to develop asthma. However, people have always been exposed to these things—what's changed in our environment. 
 

The Role of the Modern Environment

Asthma was first recognized in the mid-1800s, but it was very rare then. It’s still uncommon in developing countries today. In contrast, in the United States, asthma rates have more than doubled since 1980, and the same pattern is seen in other industrialized nations.

 

So what is the difference? The environment. Factors that contribute to asthma in modern life include: 

• Air pollution (from traffic, factories, etc.) 
• Chemical exposure at work (over 250 substances are known to cause occupational asthma) 
• Tiny particles from tires, industrial machines, or even car exhaust (like platinum dust from catalytic converters) 

 

Jobs at higher risk include painters, drivers, beauty salon workers, factory workers, farmers, oil industry workers, and medical staff, among others. 

 

Indoor Air Pollution: A Bigger Risk Than Outdoors

When it comes to asthma, the air inside your home or workplace can be even more harmful than outdoor pollution.

 

Some of the biggest indoor triggers include:

• Tobacco smoke
• Poor ventilation or dirty air ducts
• Gas stoves, heaters, or boilers, which release harmful nitrogen oxides.
• Leftover pesticide residues
• Formaldehyde and other chemicals released from furniture, flooring, and household products. 

 

Common household items that may worsen asthma symptoms include: 

• Aerosol sprays, perfumes, and cleaning products
• Cosmetics and laundry detergents
• Carpets, foam, dry-cleaned clothes, paints, varnishes, and soft plastics 
• Insecticides and chemical preservatives in everyday goods 

 

Even central heating and air conditioning systems can contribute by increasing dust mites or altering the indoor environment in ways that affect the lungs.

 

Other Asthma Triggers

Flu vaccines may cause breathing issues in some people with asthma. One study found that 8% of people had reactions within 72 hours after getting the flu shot. The long-term effects weren’t tracked, so actual numbers may be higher.

 

Diet plays a role in asthma, too. Eating lots of junk food has been linked to higher asthma rates. Diets heavy in: 

• Refined sugar
• White flour 
• Processed oils 
• Artificial additives and preservatives can make asthma worse. 
  

 

On the other hand, switching to a natural, whole-foods diet—with less processed food and fewer chemicals—has shown dramatic improvement in some people. 

 

Salt might also play a role. Some research found that high salt intake made asthma worse in adult men, but the results weren’t as clear for women. 

 

Alcohol, especially red wine and whiskey, can trigger asthma attacks in some people. One hospital found that 1 in 4 asthma patients had flare-ups after drinking alcohol. 

 

Food and Asthma: A Hidden Connection

Many people with asthma also have food sensitivities or allergies, and this often starts in infancy. What babies eat early on can influence their reactions later in life. 

 

Common food triggers include: 

• Refined sugar and white flour
• Pasteurized dairy products.
• Sulfites (preservatives in processed foods)
• Soy (often poorly processed)
• Yeast (linked to antibiotic use)
• Peanuts (heavily sprayed with pesticides)
• Eggs (especially from chemically treated chicken)
• Corn products, especially high-fructose corn syrup
• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate (often high in sugar)

 

In one study, when people removed trigger foods, 62% felt nearly complete relief and another 28% reported partial improvement. Surprisingly, traditional skin allergy tests weren’t reliable—what showed up on the test didn’t always match real-life reactions. 

Around 3 out of 4 kids with asthma have some kind of food allergy or sensitivity. Many of the problem foods are acid-forming, while alkaline-forming foods—like raw fruits and vegetables—help balance the body and should be emphasized in the diet.  

The Bigger Picture: Not Just Food

Even if diet helps, underlying health issues often remain. These can include: 

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Exposure to toxins
• Digestive problems
• Weakened immune system
• Hormonal imbalances

 

Some people feel better after cutting the problem of food but then develop allergies to things in the environment. That’s a sign the root cause hasn’t been fixed. 

Many people with asthma also have low stomach acid, which makes it harder to digest food properly. Poor digestion can lead to nutritional deficiencies and more food sensitivities. When digestion improves, food tolerance often improves too.  

 

Hormones and Asthma

For some women, asthma gets worse around their periods—when estrogen levels are low. This may point to hormonal imbalances or weak ovarian function. 

 

Certain asthma medications, like inhaled steroids, and hormone-based therapies can also mess with hormones:

• Women who used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were 49% more likely to develop asthma.
• Those currently on estrogen therapy had a 50% increased risk.
• The longer the hormone use, the greater the risk 
  

 

These hormones may make it harder to breathe by narrowing the airways.  

 

Exercise-Induced Asthma: When Breathing Gets Hard During Activity

About 10% of Americans—roughly 25 million people—experience exercise-induced asthma (EIA). This type of asthma is triggered by physical activity, especially when breathing in cold, dry air replaces the usual warm, moist air in the lungs. Ironically, regular, moderate outdoor exercise—like walking—can reduce wheezing over time. 

 

When EIA happens, the body releases chemicals like those involved in inflammation. This might be a defense against pollutants or allergens in the air. Breathing too fast (hyperventilation) may also play a role, which is why breathing exercises have helped many athletes with asthma. 

 

The rise in asthma overall is often linked to: 

• Toxic environments
• Westernized diets
• Urban lifestyles 
  

 

Some doctors now believe asthma isn’t just a disease, but a protective reactional way the body responds to environmental toxins. Using drugs to suppress symptoms without fixing the root environmental cause might worsen the condition over time.

True long-term control requires: 

• Environmental cleanup
• Supporting the body’s own defenses  

 

What Happens in an Asthma Attack?

 

Common asthma symptoms

• Chest tightness or pressure
• Coughing
• Wheezing or gasping
• Shortness of breath 
• Congestion

 

People often feel warning signs first—like a scratchy throat, dry mouth, or mild discomfort. 

 

Can asthma be prevented?

Many in the medical field say yes, but it's complicated. Asthma is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It can change depending on: 

• Age
• Time of day
• Season
• Hormonal or immune system shifts
• Temperature, humidity, or even changes in air pressure. 

 

Because of this variability, there’s no single test or definition that fits all asthma cases. 

 

What’s Going on in the Body?

Asthma was once seen mostly as a problem of tight or spasming airways—called bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR). The airways (trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles) overreact and tighten too easily, making it hard to breathe. This tightening involves the smooth muscles that line the breathing tubes. 

 

For years, the main treatment was bronchodilators—drugs that force the airways to open up. While they help relieve symptoms, they don’t address the root causes of asthma. 

 

Drug Treatments for Asthma: What You Should Know

Mainstream asthma treatment usually involves two main types of medications: 

 

1. Bronchodilators

These relax the muscles around the airways to make breathing easier. They come as pills, liquids, or inhalers. 

2. Anti-inflammatory Drugs

These reduce swelling in the airways and are mostly corticosteroids, also available in pill or inhaler form.

 

Doctors may also prescribe allergy shots or other medications depending on the case. 

 

Bronchodilators: Quick Relief, not a Cure

Bronchodilators help relieve symptoms, but they don’t control or prevent asthma attacks. They don’t reduce inflammation, fix the causes, or prevent worsening of the disease. Experts warn that they should be used sparingly. 

 

Side effects can include: 

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Hair loss, skin rashes
• Nervous system effects: headaches, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, twitching, even seizures
• Signs of nutrient depletion (like low vitamin B6)

 

Regular use has been linked to more severe asthma attacks, and even higher risk of death from asthma in some studies. These drugs may worsen the long-term course of the disease.  

 

Steroids: Reducing Inflammation with Risks

Steroids (especially inhaled or oral corticosteroids) aim to reduce inflammation in the lungs. However, long-term use comes with serious risks, including: 

• High blood pressure
• Bone thinning and fractures (osteoporosis)
• Weight gain and swelling (moon face)
• Blood sugar issues and possible diabetes
• Mood swings and behavioral changes
• Weakened immune system
• Hormone system suppression (can lead to adrenal failure, even death) 

 

In children, inhaled steroids may slow growth and don’t show major benefits in controlling asthma in many cases. At any age, these drugs can affect hormone-producing glands and increase the risk of eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts. 

 

Ephedra (Ma Huang): A Natural Option with Caution

Some asthma treatments and supplements use synthetic ephedrine or ephedra extract (a plant known as ma huang). These work similarly to adrenaline and offer temporary relief by: 

• Opening nasal and airway passages
• Reducing inflammation in the mucous membranes 

 

However, they also stimulate the nervous system, which can lead to: 

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite
• Stress on the adrenal glands 

 

Traditional use of the whole plant may be safer, but modern extracts or synthetic versions carry more risks. 

 

Allergy Shots: Do They Help?

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) are often given to children with asthma. However, studies show they don’t significantly reduce symptoms or the need for medication. In one small study, all participants experienced asthma symptoms during the dose increase phase, and 70% had large local reactions to the shots. 

Nutrition and Asthma: A Powerful Connection

Dr. Richard Firshein, a physician who suffered from severe asthma himself, transformed his health by changing his diet. He eliminated:

• Refined sugar
• White bread
• Processed and fried foods
• Artificial additives, colors, and preservatives 

 

The result? Dramatic improvement in his asthma symptoms. 

 

How Diet Affects Asthma

Children with asthma tend to eat more sugar and unhealthy fats than children without asthma. Research shows that children who eat fresh fruits daily have better lung function and less wheezing. Green vegetables and salads also help. 

 

Deficiencies in vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids are linked to increased asthma symptoms. People with poor diets high in sodium and low in potassium or vitamin B often have worse breathing problems. 

 

Success With a Clean Diet

In one study, asthma patients were put on a strict vegetarian diet with: 

• No meat, dairy, fish, eggs, or processed foods 
• No coffee, tea, chocolate, or table salt
• No pesticides or chemicals in food
• Limited grains (only millet, buckwheat, and lentils allowed) 

 

They also exercised in clean air. The results: 

• 71% improved within 4 months. 
• 92% improved after one year.
• Most reduced or stopped their medications.  

 

What Foods to Avoid and Why 

Refined, processed foods provide little nutrition and may irritate the body. They:

• Contribute to inflammation. 
• Weaken the immune system.
• Create acid imbalance in the body, which leads to muscle constriction in the airways.
• Deplete important minerals. 

 

Processed salt, hydrogenated oils, and fried foods are especially problematic. 

 

What Nutrients Asthmatics Need 

A healthy asthma-friendly diet includes: 

• Alkaline-ash minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium
• Fresh fruits and vegetables (high in these minerals and natural antioxidants)
• Natural fatty acids, especially omega-3s (from flaxseed, chia, walnuts, and oily fish) 

 

Certain foods like onions, garlic, ginger, and spices like cayenne have natural anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. Herbs such as nettle, mullein, and licorice have also been used successfully but should be taken carefully and in moderation. 

 

Key Vitamins and Minerals 

• Magnesium: Relaxing bronchial muscles; helps prevent airway tightening
• Selenium + Vitamin E: Protect mucous membranes; improve lung function.
• Vitamin A: Essential for tissue repair and healthy airways
• Vitamin C (whole food sources): Reduces wheezing and improves immune support.
• Vitamin B complex (including B6, B3/niacinamide, and B12): Needed for proper nerve function, immune health, and reduction of wheezing.

 

Digestion Matters 

Up to 80% of people with asthma have low stomach acid and poor digestion, which: 

• Impairs absorption of key nutrients like B12.
• Triggers food sensitivity
• Affects overall immune function. 

 

This may be why some people feel better on plant-based diets that are easier to digest. 

 

Support Beyond Diet 

• Glandular supplements (like adrenal or lung tissue extracts) can support respiratory health.
• Chiropractic or osteopathic spinal manipulation has shown quick relief in emergency asthma cases improving breathing, reducing anxiety, and increasing lung capacity by 25–70%.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, asthma is far more than just a condition of bronchial hyper-responsiveness; it is a multifaceted health issue influenced by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, dietary habits, and internal physiological balances. While traditional treatments like bronchodilators and steroids offer symptomatic relief by relaxing airways or reducing inflammation, they do not address the underlying causes and can carry significant risks and side effects, potentially worsening the condition long-term. The sources highlight that effectively managing and preventing asthma requires a deeper approach, focusing on environmental cleanup, supporting the body's natural defense mechanisms, and making significant lifestyle changes, particularly dietary ones. By recognizing the critical role of factors like indoor and outdoor pollution, processed foods, nutrient deficiencies, digestive health, and even hormonal imbalances, we can move towards a more holistic understanding and treatment of asthma that aims for true long-term control rather than just symptom suppression.

 

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