ZCZC
BFF-21
FISH-REDUCE-ASTHMA
Eating fish reduces symptoms of childhood asthma: study
SYDNEY, Nov. 5, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Eating fish such as salmon, trout and
sardines can significantly reduce asthma symptoms in children, an
international study led by researchers at Australia’s La Trobe University
showed.
Lead researcher Maria Papamichael said the results, released on Monday, are
in line with a growing body of evidence which points to a healthy diet being
a potential therapy for childhood asthma.
“We already know that a diet high in fat, sugar and salt can influence the
development and progression of asthma in children and now we have evidence
that it’s also possible to manage asthma symptoms through healthy eating,”
Papamichael said.
Of the 64 children with mild asthma who participated in the trial, half
were told to follow a traditional mediterranean diet, high in plant based
foods and oily fish, while the others followed their normal diets.
Those who followed the mediterranean diet saw significant reduction in
their bronchial inflammation.
“Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory
properties,” Papamichael explained.
According to Professor Bircan Erbas, from La Trobe’s School of Psychology
and Public Health, “asthma is the most common respiratory disease in young
people and one of the leading reasons for hospitalizations and trips to
emergency for children.”
“It is imperative that we identify new therapies that we can use alongside
conventional asthma medications,” Erbas said.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1122 hrs