Poor diet linked to reduced asthma control

HMRI @ the University of Newcastle

29 March 2006

A ground-breaking study by Hunter Medical Research Institute researchers has found a link between poor diet and reduced asthma control.

HMRI researchers at the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Unit and the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Newcastle found that reducing the dietary intake of antioxidants resulted in worsening lung function in people with asthma.

A study group of asthma sufferers was put on a withdrawal diet to reduce intake of food high in antioxidants such as fruit and vegetables and wholegrain products over a 10 day period.

"We have shown that if a person has a diet low in antioxidants it is likely to make their asthma worse. We found that when blood levels of carotenoids decreased, subjects' asthma symptoms and lung functions worsened," said Dr Lisa Wood, a HMRI researcher and research fellow at the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Unit.

"In the past there have been very large population studies suggesting there may be an association between dietary intake of fruit and vegetables and asthma outcome. But this is the first to provide proof that reducing the intake of antioxidant-rich foods in the diet can influence asthma."

Dr Wood said that researchers will now investigate whether asthma symptoms may be alleviated by increasing the intake of particular antioxidant-rich foods. Foods high in antioxidants include fruit and vegetables, wholegrain products, red wine and tea.

"We will focus on increasing the intake of various whole foods rather than using dietary supplements to ensure that the beneficial effects of all nutrients contained in antioxidant foods are considered," said Dr Woods.

Results of study were presented at the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting in Canberra yesterday. In Australia, asthma affects 30 per cent of the population at some time in their lives.

Media contact: Dr Lisa Wood is available for interview, phone Lauren Eyles, HMRI Communication Officer, on 4921 4841 or 0434 600 940.