Low vitamin C link to asthma

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

People with severe asthma have been found to have low intakes and blood levels of vitamin C.
It is possible that the increased rates of asthma could be linked to dietary changes. A new study from researchers at the Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Nedlands, Australia, now suggests that vitamin C could be an important factor.

A group of 28 people with severe asthma, 53 with mild asthma, and 43 without asthma had their blood levels of vitamin C measured. Those with severe asthma had markedly lower levels. Their intakes of vitamin C from fruit and vegetables were also lower than in the other two groups. What is more, those with severe asthma were more overweight, had a higher fat intake and higher blood cholesterol. It may be that a healthy diet can go a long way towards improving asthma, but further studies would be needed to confirm this.

Source
European Respiratory Journal August 2005

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