Supplement Trio Improves Asthma SymptomsA trio of supplements — omega-3 essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and zinc — may counteract several symptoms associated with asthma, a study has found. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study discovered that the three nutrients improved lung function and markers that indicated lung inflammation, according to scientists from Tanta University in Egypt. Sixty children with persistent asthma participated in the study. The children, with an average age of 8, were given alternating phases of supplementation with omega-3 (1000 mg), zinc (15 mg) and vitamin C (200 mg). They took the supplements either singly or in combination for six weeks. Asthma symptoms were measured using the childhood asthma control test (C-ACT). Lung function and pulmonary markers were also measured. The results showed that the children who took supplements had a significant improvement in their C-ACT scores — from 16.5 to 22.1. Omega-3 and zinc are anti-inflammatories, and vitamin C is an antioxidant, the researchers noted. “Children with moderately persistent bronchial asthma may get benefit from their diet supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamin C,” the researchers wrote. In addition, recent research from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center found that folic acid may lessen the symptoms of asthma and allergies. Almost 20 million Americans suffer from asthma, and the numbers of people diagnosed with the condition are rising.
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