Column #58

The medical community claims that 60 percent of what determines whether or not you’ll have asthma is due to genetic factors. Environmental substances and food allergies supposedly determine the remainder of reasons but they admit that Omega-3 could possibly help sufferers.

So the official word is that asthma is caused by genetics followed by pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, cockroach waste, physical activity, cold air, pollutants, drugs, stress, food allergies and preservatives, or GERD. Unfortunately for the millions of sufferers the medical community’s conclusions do not address the cause?

Asthma is a chronic disease whereby the lungs become inflamed. Inflammation is an immune system response to tissue injuries caused by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or other causes. That’s normal for a healthy body. But what about unhealthy bodies?

For decades nutritional and biological scientists have voiced alarm over the increasing number of autoimmune diseases which are physical ailments caused dysfunctional immune system reactions. In an autoimmune reaction, antibodies and immune cells target the body’s own healthy tissues by mistake, signaling the body to attack them. This causes inflammation. Arthritis is just one example but there are over 150 autoimmune diseases. Amazingly, in some lists Asthma isn’t included! Although nutritional researchers say it should be.

Since asthma and autoimmune diseases are both chronic diseases, a connection is certainly possible. If nearly all chronic diseases are caused by mostly food abuse, we should look to diet as a root cause of asthma not genetics and environmental substances.

There is considerable anecdotal evidence from individuals, who soon after they started following The Real Diet of Man, reported significant reductions in their asthma symptoms. After some months of not eating any grain, seeds, nuts, high glycemic fruit and vegetables, and other sweets while feasting on grass-fed meats, Omega-3 meats, wild caught seafood, and green leafy vegetables, they had no symptoms!

The science behind why this happens has been discussed for over 15 years. Artemis Simopoulos in her report titled Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases said that people with autoimmune diseases such as asthma respond well to Omega-3 fatty acids. In her report titled Importance of the Ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids she said an Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio of 5:1 was beneficial for asthma while a ratio of 10:1 was detrimental.

Another cause of asthma is mycotoxins from fungi. There is considerable literature concerning this. Grains, nuts, many fruits, tubers, our homes, and even our bodies are hosts of fungi. If we eat foods infected with mycotoxins, those natural toxic chemicals can upset even a healthy immune system. The same thing happens when we eat high glycemic foods and sugars that feed the fungi in our bodies because the carbs and sugar causes them to release inflammatory mycotoxins.

This may be one of those “no brainers.” Many asthma sufferers can end their misery in a very short time by adopting The Real Diet of Man and avoiding foods and environments that may contain mycotoxins. Interestingly, this works for many folks no matter their genetics.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

Don’t miss these links for additional reading:

List of Autoimmune and Autoimmune-Related Diseases and Descriptions

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases

Importance of the Ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

Scientists Seek Genetic Clues To Asthma's Toll On Black Children

You Breathe What You Eat: Asthma Severity Linked to Poor Diet

Severe Asthma and Fungi: Current Evidence

Frequency of Fungal Sensitization in Patients with Severe Atopic Asthma

Abstract: Asthma and Autoimmunity - A Complex but Intriguing Relation

Abstract: Asthma as a Paradigm for Autoimmune Disease