Menu
16/04/2009
Vitamin Link To Asthma Revealed
A relatively low dietary intake of vitamins A and C boosts the risk of asthma, suggests a systematic analysis of the available evidence, published ahead of print in the journal Thorax.
These findings clash with a large review of the evidence, which was published last year.
Observational studies in recent years have pointed to a link between dietary antioxidant vitamins (A,C, and E) and asthma, but the results of clinical trials have proved inconclusive, claim the authors.
In a bid to try and clear up the confusion, they conducted a comprehensive search of major databases of peer reviewed research, abstracts of conference proceedings on asthma and wheeze, and bibliographies from 1980 to the end of 2007.
They found 40 relevant studies, which had looked at the association between vitamin intake and asthma and wheezing, out of more than 2,600.
The pooled results showed that dietary intake of vitamin A was significantly lower among those with asthma than in those who had not been diagnosed with the disease.
The average intake of 182 ug a day was equivalent to between a quarter and a third of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A.
Vitamin A intake was also significantly lower - equivalent to around half of the recommended daily amount - in those with severe disease than in those with mild asthma.
Low circulating levels of vitamin C in the bloodstream and lower dietary intake of foods containing vitamin C were also associated with a 12% heightened risk of asthma.
Vitamin E intake was not associated with a diagnosis of asthma, but blood levels were significantly lower among those with severe disease compared with those whose symptoms were mild.
This translates into an intake that is 2 mg/day or 20% lower than the recommended daily amount of vitamin E.
The findings for a link between dietary antioxidants and wheeze were less consistent.
The authors point out that their research does not conclusively prove cause and effect, but they suggest that the large review published last year, which found no association between antioxidants and asthma risk, was limited in its scope.
They concluded: "Overall, our findings from [the current] systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that low levels of vitamin C intake, and to a lesser extent vitamin A, are consistently associated with asthma risk to a degree that, if causal, would be sufficient to be clinically relevant."
(BMcC/KMcA)
These findings clash with a large review of the evidence, which was published last year.
Observational studies in recent years have pointed to a link between dietary antioxidant vitamins (A,C, and E) and asthma, but the results of clinical trials have proved inconclusive, claim the authors.
In a bid to try and clear up the confusion, they conducted a comprehensive search of major databases of peer reviewed research, abstracts of conference proceedings on asthma and wheeze, and bibliographies from 1980 to the end of 2007.
They found 40 relevant studies, which had looked at the association between vitamin intake and asthma and wheezing, out of more than 2,600.
The pooled results showed that dietary intake of vitamin A was significantly lower among those with asthma than in those who had not been diagnosed with the disease.
The average intake of 182 ug a day was equivalent to between a quarter and a third of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A.
Vitamin A intake was also significantly lower - equivalent to around half of the recommended daily amount - in those with severe disease than in those with mild asthma.
Low circulating levels of vitamin C in the bloodstream and lower dietary intake of foods containing vitamin C were also associated with a 12% heightened risk of asthma.
Vitamin E intake was not associated with a diagnosis of asthma, but blood levels were significantly lower among those with severe disease compared with those whose symptoms were mild.
This translates into an intake that is 2 mg/day or 20% lower than the recommended daily amount of vitamin E.
The findings for a link between dietary antioxidants and wheeze were less consistent.
The authors point out that their research does not conclusively prove cause and effect, but they suggest that the large review published last year, which found no association between antioxidants and asthma risk, was limited in its scope.
They concluded: "Overall, our findings from [the current] systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that low levels of vitamin C intake, and to a lesser extent vitamin A, are consistently associated with asthma risk to a degree that, if causal, would be sufficient to be clinically relevant."
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 November 2010
Vitamin E Risks Haemorrhagic Stroke
A new study published today by the British Medical Journal has warned about the widespread use of vitamin E due to a suspected increased risk of a certain type of stroke.
Vitamin E Risks Haemorrhagic Stroke
A new study published today by the British Medical Journal has warned about the widespread use of vitamin E due to a suspected increased risk of a certain type of stroke.
14 December 2012
RCPH Launches Campaign Tackling Vitamin D Deficiency
The RCPCH has today launched its position statement and campaign on tackling vitamin D deficiency.
RCPH Launches Campaign Tackling Vitamin D Deficiency
The RCPCH has today launched its position statement and campaign on tackling vitamin D deficiency.
20 January 2004
Taking vitamins E and C could reduce Alzheimer's risks: study
Taking antioxidant vitamin supplements, particularly vitamins E and C, could help protect the brain against damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published today.
Taking vitamins E and C could reduce Alzheimer's risks: study
Taking antioxidant vitamin supplements, particularly vitamins E and C, could help protect the brain against damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published today.
26 August 2011
Vitamin A For Children Could Save 600,000 Lives
Children in low and middle income countries should be given vitamin A supplements to prevent death and illness, a study published on bmj.com today has concluded.
Vitamin A For Children Could Save 600,000 Lives
Children in low and middle income countries should be given vitamin A supplements to prevent death and illness, a study published on bmj.com today has concluded.
06 May 2014
UK Asthma Patients Dies Due The Lack Of Care
The first confidential enquiry report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Why asthma still kills, found nearly half (45%, 87 patients) of those included in this study who died from asthma did not have any medical help during the final asthma attack.
UK Asthma Patients Dies Due The Lack Of Care
The first confidential enquiry report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Why asthma still kills, found nearly half (45%, 87 patients) of those included in this study who died from asthma did not have any medical help during the final asthma attack.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
