During an asthma attack, the smooth muscle layer goes into spasm, narrowing the airway. The middle layer swells because of inflammation, and more mucus is produced. In some segments of the airway, the mucus forms clumps that nearly or completely block the airway.

Asthma and allergies are conditions that go hand in hand. Over 50 percent of asthmatics have their triggers in allergic reactions to their environment and diet. The immune system is more sensitive in asthma and hay fever and will respond with force to substances that may not actually pose any real threat. When the immune system acts out of control there is an increase of potent inflammatory chemicals and in asthma these chemicals can damage the tissue of the lungs over time.

Reducing exposure to allergenic substances will decrease the overall load on the immune system and thereby assist in managing symptoms. Identifying allergenic foods and eliminating them is an important step in treating asthma. The most common allergens are wheat, milk, chocolate, eggs, fish, shell fish, peanuts, tomatoes, sulfites from beer/wine, car exhaust, petrochemicals, cigarette smoke, animal dander molds, dust mites, flower and tree pollen.

Histamine and Leukotrienes

Certain cells in the airways, particularly mast cells, are thought to be responsible for initiating the airway’s narrowing. Mast cells throughout the bronchi release substances such as histamine and leukotrienes, which cause smooth muscle to contract, mucus secretion to increase, and certain white blood cells to migrate to the area. Eosinophils, a type of white blood cell found in the airways of people with asthma, release additional substances, contributing to airway narrowing. Controlling histamine is indicated in managing the symptoms of Asthma and allergies.

The Roll of the Adrenal Glands

The lungs respond to hormones from the adrenal glands by opening up the airways. These hormones are thought to be deficient during an asthma attack. This can be a reflection of malfunctioning adrenal glands, elevated long term stress hormone and can indicate underlying conditions of adrenal gland fatigue.

Vitamin C and Quercetin

Vitamin C has antihistamine properties. It prevents the secretion of histamine and enhances its detoxification from the body. Quercetin has the ability to stabilize mast cells and basophils from releasing histamine which leads to asthmatic and allergic symptoms.

References
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine By Michael Murray & Joseph Pizorno pg 260-271
Healthy Immunity By Lorna Vanderhaeghe Pg 45, 183-168, 109
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch044/ch044a.html
Block, W., et al. Food allergies: More common than you think. Interview with Michael Rosenbaum, MD. Life Enhancement. 34:3-7, 1997.
Firshein, R. The Nutraceutical Revolution. Riverhead Books via Penguin Putnam Inc., New York, USA. 1998:232.
Haas, Elson M. Staying Healthy with Nutrition. Celestial Arts, Berkeley, California, USA. 1992:272.
Quercetin reduces allergies by stabilizing mast cells and basophils. It also inhibits their degranulation and release of histamine.
Hendler, Sheldon Saul. The Doctor’s Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia. Arrow Books, London, England. 1991:331.
Mueller, J. Bioflavonoids - natural relief for allergies and asthma. Nutritional News. 11(5):1-5, 1997.
Pearce, F., et al. Mucosal mast cells, III: Effect of quercetin and other flavonoids on antigen induced histamine secretion fron rat intestinal mast cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 73:819-823, 1984.
Zimmerman, P. W. Allergies and nutrition. New Editions Healthworld. November/December 1994:15.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace
diagnosis by a medical doctor or provide tools for self diagnosis.