What is Asthma?  (Part 2)

Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND

In our last blog we talked about what asthma is and what can increase your overall risk of developing the illness. We also talked about what the risk factors are for a flare up or asthma attack. In this blog we will be focusing on what you can do to help improve your asthma symptoms and overall health. Let us get into it, shall we?

What can you do to help reduce asthma flare ups/asthma attacks?

• Start by reducing your exposure to the most common triggers when you can. For example, airborne allergens, respiratory infections, certain meds and even try to avoid going from extreme heat to extreme cold. (1) While this may seem impossible it is not actually as hard as you may think. You can start by using more natural cleaners that are gentler and may not be a trigger for your asthma. You can also investigate if an air purifier would be helpful to reduce allergens in your home. One way that many people have found to help reduce exposure to pollen when it is high is to wear a face mask when outside. And let us not forget hygiene. Proper handwashing can help reduce exposure to allergens such as pollen and even germs that can increase your chance of developing a respiratory infection. When it comes to our medications it is always important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. They may be able to change your medication to one that does not affect your asthma. All of this is great but what if you have been exposed to airborne toxins? What if you have been exposed to germs?
  • Milk Thistle has been found in studies to help promote detox! (4) Milk Thistle can be found in Invite’s Milk Thistle formula and in Invite’s Hepatox Hx.
  • Olive Leaf is another favorite of mine! I use it daily to promote my immune system. Studies have found olive leaf to be antimicrobial. Even more interesting is the fact studies have found olive leaf to reduce the length and severity of respiratory infections. (5) Olive Leaf can be found in Invite’s Olive Leaf Extract and Renalaid.
  • Quercetin is a natural antihistamine! (6) This is great when the pollen count is up! You can find Quercetin in Invite’s Quercetin with Vitamin C formula. Personally, I recommend starting this formula as soon as you can. If you can start before the pollen is high, you may have even better results than if you wait.
  • Vitamin C is also another great nutrient if pollen is an issue for you! In fact, not only does it help reduce allergy symptoms it can also lower histamine levels in your blood. (7) This is great because it is literal proof that your body is less likely to respond to allergens. Vitamin C can be found in both Vitality Plus beadlets, gummies and Immunity Hx formula!
• Reducing your stress can also help to reduce asthma attacks. (1) There are many fantastic Invite formulas that can help with this goal!
  • L Theanine is one of the best nutrients for stress! In fact, studies have found that using L Theanine can lead to an increase in brain waves that indicate the brain is in a more relaxed state. (8) What does that mean in plain language? Well, it means that the studies find that L Theanine makes you feel relaxed. In my clinical experience L Theanine is great for helping with anxiety and stress. I have even found it helps both children and adults! Just as an aside if you are experiencing anxiety, you can open the pills and put the powder right under your tongue. Please see Invite’s L Theanine formula!
  • Magnesium, as we all know, is a powerhouse when it comes to our health! Studies have found that it can help reduce our stress levels! (9) For magnesium, please see Invite’s Magnesium Glycinate, Citrate and Bioavail Magnesium powder. Magnesium is also found in our Bone Powder and our newly improved Multi Energy Powder!
  • Rhodiola is another herb that can be particularly helpful if you are stressed out! Studies have found that it can help reduce anxiety and stress. (10). Rhodiola can be found in Invite’s Rhodiola 200mg and Performance multivitamin.
• GERD and digestive health. Having a history of GERD can make your asthma symptoms worse so working on your digestive health can be very helpful.
  • DGL is an amazing nutrient for conditions such as Ulcers or even GERD. (11) Studies have found that it is a fantastic natural formula for acid. Please see Invite’s Min Acid and G.I. Maintain for this great nutrient!
  • Marshmallow Root sounds more like a desert than a supplement for our health! Studies have found that it can help reduce inflammation and cough. (12) Please see Invite’s Min Acid and G.I. Maintain.
  • Probiotics have been found to have huge benefits for our digestive health. (13) In my experience a good probiotic is vital when it comes to addressing any digestive issue such as GERD. Invite has an extensive line of probiotics including Probiotic Hx, Probiotic Weight, Probiotic Women and Prozyme Digest!
• Black Seed is a fantastic nutrient when it comes to asthma! Studies have found that it can help to reduce the inflammation that is found in the respiratory tract of those with Asthma. It has also been found to help reduce the symptoms of asthma. (14) Black Seed can be found in Invite’s Black Seed with Rosemary formula.
• NAC can also be very useful for asthma patients. First of all, as we all know it can help reduce mucus. (15) It can also help to reduce the inflammation in the respiratory system of those with asthma. (16) Please see Invite’s NAC formula.

Invite health has numerous supplements that can help support your overall health. Please feel free to contact an Invite nutritionist for more information!

Sources:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma
3. https://www.allermi.com/blogs/allergy-101/allergy-season-in-new-york-allergens-by-region-symptoms-treatment
4. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/milk-thistle-pdq
5. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-olive-leaf-extract
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6273625/#:~:text=Quercetin%20has%20been%20found%20in%20many%20foods%2C,four%20weeks%20completely%20restricted%20peanut%2Dinduced%20anaphylactic%20reactions.
7. https://www.verywellhealth.com/does-vitamin-c-help-with-allergies-8771203#:~:text=infusions%20for%20allergies.-,What%20the%20Research%20Says,4
8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8475422/
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7761127/
10. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Rhodiola-Rosea-Evidence-Based-Health-Benefits-and-Clinical-Insights.aspx#:~:text=In%20an%20open%2Dlabel%20study,limits%20the%20plant’s%20pharmacological%20use.
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7348626/
12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7090173/
13. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11743475/
14. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6111118/
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39223526/#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%20nebulized%20NAC%20was,Adverse%20events%20occurred%20in%208%20(8.0%25)%20patients
16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7487305/