The Inflammation And Asthma Link
Understanding Inflammation & Asthma - What’s the Link and What Can You Do?
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is one of the body’s natural mechanisms. It is a complex biological response designed to fight infections, repair tissue and restore balance in the body.
According to the British Journal of nutrition, there are four main types of inflammation:
Immune related inflammation (triggered by infection)
Inflammation from inhaled agents (such as air pollution and smoke)
Allergic inflammation (as seen in asthma or eczema)
Neurogenic inflammation (mediated by the nervous system)
Each of these types are a result of the body identifying a “foreign” threat and reacting with a cascade of immune activity to remove that perceived threat. When inflammation is acute, it is beneficial and necessary. However, problems arise when the inflammatory response doesn’t turn off properly and becomes chronic, leading to ongoing inflammation, desensitization, tissue damage and disease. Chronic inflammation is associated with a wide range of conditions, including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Inflammation and Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, often triggered by allergens, environmental irritants, infections or even stress. Asthma is typically classified into 2 main categories.
Allergic asthma - associated with identifiable allergen triggers
Non-allergic asthma - occurs without a specific allergen.
Regardless of the type, exposure to various irritants can aggravate asthma and trigger flare-ups. Overtime, persistent inflammation leads to mucosal swelling, increased mucus production, tightening of airway muscles and damage to the epithelial lining of airways. This contributes to the classic asthma symptoms you may experience including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. As you may have noticed, asthma symptoms become exacerbated when under certain conditions, especially when exposed to triggers like smoke, pollution and allergens. And if you thought that your hormones couldn’t be any more involved in your day to day life, asthma symptoms often worsen during hormonal transitions such as menstruation and menopause.
The role of diet in inflammation and asthma
The foods we eat play a significant role in regulating inflammation - and by extension, may influence the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. One of the most well-researched and beneficial diets for inflammation is the Mediterranean Diet. This diet is rich in:
Fruits and vegetables
Whole grains and legumes
Healthy facts, especially extra virgin olive oil
Omega 3 fatty acids from fish and nuts
The mediterranean diet & Inflammation
The Mediterranean Diet has been shown to reduce the risk and severity of asthma thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation in the body. Unlike the typical Western diet, which tends to be high in processed foods and salts, the Mediterranean approach minimizes pro-inflammatory mediators.
For example: The Mediterranean diet avoids over-salting which increases the pro-inflammatory response in the body. Additionally, olive oil which is a main pillar of the Mediterranean diet has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
The Mediterranean diet is rich in foods high in antioxidants (like fruits, vegetables and olive oil). Antioxidants are compounds that protect the body against oxidative stress, a key driver of chronic inflammation. In one study, individuals consuming a low-antioxidant diet (defined as fewer than 2 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit per day) experienced more frequent asthma flare-ups compared to those on a high-antioxidant diet (5+ servings of vegetables and 2+ servings of fruit per day).
Additionally, omega 3s are thought to reduce inflammation by modulating inflammatory signals. Omega 3 intake (especially though fish oil supplementation) in children was shown to lower lung inflammation - however, it's important to note that this was from early, consistent consumption and is likely not to have the same effect in adults or taken exclusively during asthma flare-ups.
Asthma is complex - and while no diet is a substitute for medication, especially during asthma attacks, nutrition can be a powerful tool in managing inflammation, minimizing asthma symptoms and supporting long-term lung health.
At Crafted Balance Naturopathic Clinic, we offer a personalized, evidence-informed approach to manage asthma and chronic inflammation. Our team of naturopaths, acupuncturists and other integrative health practitioners can help you optimize your anti-inflammatory nutrient intake, identify and minimize potential triggers and improve your respiratory health.
Book a complementary meet and greet to learn how we can help support your health goals!