photo credit: nicasaurusrex
The cases of asthma continue to rise in the United States at an alarming rate. However, a recent study indicates that vitamin D and magnesium could play a role in helping asthmatic symptoms.
Over the past 15 years, the incidence rate of asthma has doubled in the United States. Currently, 20 million people, or 7% of the population, suffer from the disease.
Common treatment involves inhaled corticosteroids and glucocorticoids.
Many patients don’t experience relief from those approaches and use alternative therapies. Fortunately, a recent study indicates that Vitamin D and magnesium can play a role in helping asthmatic symptoms.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, asthmatics with lower vitamin D levels had an increased propensity for bronchospasm, lower lung function, and poorer steroid response.
The lower the Vitamin D level, the worse the participants tended to perform on lung function tests.
For diets low in magnesium, similar results occurred. In a double-blind study published in The Journal of Asthma, participants who received oral magnesium supplementation for 6.5 months showed improvements in peak expiratory rate flow and in subjective measures of asthma control and quality of life.
Dr. Chad’s reaction:
This is a significant finding as vitamin D and magnesium and usually deficient in the modern diet/lifestyle. Fortunately, supplements are inexpensive and very safe. Supplement quality is the key – you can only use what you can absorb.
The naturopathic doctor recommends:
I recommend Bio-D-Mulsion Forte – 1-2 drops 2x/day for adults and 1 drop 1-2x/day for children (under 120 lbs.). You can and should have your vitamin D levels tested (the test is called 25 (OH) vitamin D) at your doctor’s office.
For magnesium, the easiest form to absorb is Mag Glycinate – 2 tablets 2x/day with meals.