Antioxidants Lower Risk of Asthma
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows children who are exposed to increased doses of antioxidants have a lower risk of developing asthma.
Researchers from Cornell University studied data on more than 6,100 children between ages 4 and 16 to determine if increasing antioxidant consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of asthma in children. Researchers observed trends in children who were not exposed to second-hand smoke as well as those who were. The study included a comprehensive health exam, a questionnaire, and various lab evaluations.
Results of the study show an increase in beta-carotene intake was associated with a 10-percent reduction in asthma risk. Children who were exposed to second-hand smoke had a 40-percent decrease in asthma prevalence when they were given increased doses of beta-carotene. Researchers say higher doses of vitamin C showed similar results.
Children who took increased doses of selenium -- a trace mineral -- were 10-percent to 20-percent less likely to have asthma. Those who were exposed to second-hand smoke had a 50-percent decrease in asthma prevalence when they were given the higher doses of selenium.
However, researchers say vitamin E showed little or no help in decreasing asthma prevalence. They say selenium, which showed the most promise in lowering asthma risk, can be found in cereal grains, fish, meat and poultry.
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SOURCE: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2004;169:393-398
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