Natural News for Women » Asthma

In the News: Child asthma link to ‘stressed out’ mothers

Marilyn — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:00:06 +0000

Babies born to mothers who were anxious or stressed during their pregnancy are more at risk of developing asthma research from Bristol University has shown. Close to 6000 families were monitored for eight years and anxiety levels assessed with questionnaires completed at 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. The children were assessed for asthma at around age seven. Overall the risk of developing asthma was a staggering 65 per cent higher in women who were stressed compared to those who were not. It is thought that the immune system of developing babies could be influenced by maternal stress, probably through the stress hormone, cortisol.

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Asthma linked to lack of vitamin E during pregnancy

Marilyn — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:50:05 +0000

A lack of vitamin E during pregnancy may substantially increase the risk of childhood asthma. Scientists at Aberdeen University believe vitamin E and D could account for up to a third of new cases of asthma in recent decades. The increase in asthma, especially in children, has never been fully explained. However, there is growing evidence that maternal diet is implicated in the rise of asthma. The research found a clear link between asthma and wheezing in children aged three and low intake of vitamin E by the mother during pregnancy.

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Housework increases asthma risk

Marilyn — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:10:31 +0000

Cleaning your house weekly could be enough to give you asthma, according to the latest research. Exposure to cleaning products could be responsible for triggering as many as 15 per cent of adult asthma cases, the study found. Spray air fresheners, furniture polish and glass cleaners carried the highest risk. Anyone concerned about asthma should speak to their doctor and in the meantime give your health and the environment a boost by switching to natural cleaning products instead. Use aromatherapy candles for a natural air freshener or cut lemons or simmer some cinnamon and cloves in the kitchen. For furniture use a few drops of lemon juice with olive oil and apply with a soft rag and for glass or window cleaner use vinegar, lemon juice and water, keep in a spray bottle and use like ordinary window cleaner.

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In the News: A diet rich in fish, seeds and nuts can cut blood pressure risk

Marilyn — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:40:32 +0000

A large percentage of people have a subtle rise in blood pressure as they age and by middle age many of them have high blood pressure. New research has suggested that a diet rich in fish, nuts and seeds – in other words rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids – could help to lower a person’s blood pressure.

The study, reported recently in the American Heart Association Journal Circulation, looked at diet and its relation to blood pressure in 4,680 men and women aged 40 to 60 and living in Europe, China, Japan and the United States. Researchers adjusted for variables known to influence blood pressure, for example age, gender, salt intake and exercise. The people with diets rich in omega 3 fatty acids have slightly lower blood pressure than those who ate foods with less omega 3.

To lower your blood pressure risk you need to eat less

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In the News: Pesticides can double the risk of asthma

Marilyn — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:20:15 +0000

Exposure to pesticidal chemical sprays doubles the risk of developing asthma, researchers have found. In the first study of its kind, scientists discovered adults who come into contact with pesticides are at a higher risk of developing respiratory problems.

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Echinacea: A closer look at this interesting immune booster

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:20:13 +0000

Plants that boost immunity are a crucial part of a medical herbalist’s treatment plan and echinacea is one of those few herbs that no herbalist would want to be without. There’s a good reason why. Increasingly, the benefits of this pretty plant, also known as Purple Coneflower, are becoming clear.

Originally, Echinacea was used by the Native American Indians. It grew on the Prairie and was used specifically for rattlesnake bites. The Indians made it clear to the Colonists that if they wanted to survive a rattlesnake bite, they should learn to identify …

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In the News: A glass of apple juice a day can keep asthma away

Marilyn — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 05:40:23 +0000

According to recent research drinking apple juice could halve the risk of developing asthma. Eating a banana can cut the risk by a third, according to the same researchers, but consuming whole apples appears to have no affect.

The researchers believe that the steady rise of asthma could be linked to increased consumption of fast foods and decreased consumption of natural, fresh foods. The latest study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, in June 20007, looked at almost 2,700 primary school children and found those drinking apple juice at least once a day were 50 per cent less likely to develop asthma symptoms. Researchers led by Professor Peter Burney at the National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, were surprised a glass of apple juice a day was more protective-than eating apples – or any other fruit other than bananas. They believe the health benefits may be dose related because the children drink more of the content from apples through juice rather than by eating the fruit.

A Greek study has found children who eat a Mediterranean diet full of fruit, vegetables and nuts are less likely to develop asthma and allergies.

Quick Tip: Breathing can help asthma

Marilyn — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 05:00:35 +0000

Just breathe: Breathing deeply could help asthma suffers, according to new research fro the University Of Sydney, Australia.

The study was conducted on 57 asthma patients who were taught either how to do shallow nasal breathing with slow exhalations or to inhale and exhale in time with upper body movements or whenever they felt an attack coming on. After three months, use of inhalers in both groups had fallen by an incredible 86%.

In the News: A Mediterranean diet could prevent asthma in children

Marilyn — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:35:28 +0000

Children who eat a Mediterranean diet packed with fruit, vegetables and nuts are less likely to develop asthma and allergies, say researchers. A study carried out on the Greek island of Crete found eating high quantities of traditional foods such as olive oil could protect youngsters from wheezing and other allergic symptoms.

Researchers found eight out of 10 children ate fresh fruit – and over two thirds of them fresh vegetables – at least twice a day. The effect of diet was strongest on allergic rhinitis which results in a runny or blocked nose, but it also gave protection against asthma symptoms and skin allergies. Children who ate nuts at least three times a week were less likely to wheeze, as well as those who enjoyed grapes.

But high consumption of margarine doubled the chances of asthma and allergic rhinitis, says a report published in the medical journal Thorax. Researchers believe the epidemic of asthma in developed countries could be linked to a move away from natural, fresh foods to fast foods – as has happened here since the 1970s. In recent years the Mediterranean diet has been thought to also improve heart health and stave off cancer because it is high in fruit, vegetables, fish and ‘healthy’ fats such as those in olive oil, while low in red meat and dairy products.

In the News: Housework is bad for you!

Marilyn — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:21:10 +0000

Housework is officially bad for you. Experts say cleaning sprays could increase your risk of asthma by 70 percent but this doesn’t mean you should ditch the cleaning and dusting; quite the opposite as studies show that exercise is a great way to burn calories. Just try natural brands or store cupboards alternatives such as lemon juice with vinegar.