Does Taking Vitamin C Prevent Exercise Induced Asthma?

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What is Exercise Induced Asthma?

Have Some Studies Suggested that Some People Could Use Vitamin C to Decrease Exercise Induced Asthma

Is it possible that asthma brought on by exercise could be prevented or limited by taking Vitamin C? Exercise-induced asthma is a reversible condition in which the smooth muscle in the airways constricts in response to physical activity. The first line therapy for Exercise Asthma are medications like albuterol. But other non traditional agents have been suggested, things like caffeine and vitamin C.

How Does Exercise Asthma Show Up and How Is It Usually Treated?

Exercise Asthma may be present without symptoms, simply showing itself when a person refuses to participate in exercise because of an unrecognized ability to breathe normally. Exercise asthma is usually treated with short-acting bronchodilators, (chemicals that cause the lung tubes to get wider, dilate) things like albuterol, with or without the addition of anti-inflammatory agents. But what about something like Vitamin C? A study from Indiana University, Ascorbic acid supplementation attenuates exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma, stated that "Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid) supplementation provides a protective effect against exercise-induced airway narrowing in asthmatic subjects." That was in 2007.







Back in 1997 another study called Blocking effect of vitamin C in exercise-induced asthma,said, "The efficacy of vitamin C in preventing EIA cannot be predicted. However, vitamin C may have a protective effect on airway hyperreactivity in some patients with Exercise Induced Asthma".Both of these studies suggested Vitamin C seemed to help prevent exercise induced asthma. A problem with these studies was that that they took place with small numbers of people.









"Exercise-induced asthma is a reversible condition in which the smooth muscle in the airways constricts in response to physical activity. Due to various attack triggers, breathing becomes so difficult that athletic performance declines significantly . A typical attack occurs five to 15 minutes after physical exertion and peaks within six to eight minutes." But an attack can come at variable times during or after exercise and other factors like allergies, temperature and humidity can also impact the attacks.

Vitamin C a nutritional approach to managing exercise-induced asthma

What is a Peak Flow Meter and How is It Used in Asthma?

"A peak flow meter can be a useful tool in recognizing and managing EIA. It is inexpensive, costing about $15 to $20, and is simple to use. A peak flow meter measures peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), or the fastest speed at which the athlete can blow air out of the lungs after taking a maximal breath. Peak expiratory flow rate is a measure of how well the lungs are moving air. Whether recognizing or managing EIA, a resting score must be obtained".

Exercise Induced Asthma

Blocking Effect of Vitamin C in Exercise Induced Asthma