Integrative Medicine Approach to Asthma: Testing, Dietary Interventions, and Natural Remedies

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory disorder that can cause significant health challenges. With more individuals than ever before having asthma, around 25 million people in the U.S., it is important that multiple management options are available for these individuals to support their asthma care. It is also beneficial to explore ways to reduce the incidence of developing asthma. Integrative medicine offers various approaches to addressing these concerns, and this article will explore those approaches.

[signup]

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a respiratory condition indicated by inflammation in the airways that causes issues with breathing. Specific triggers usually initiate an exaggerated immune response in people with asthma. The immune response creates inflammation, mucus production, and constriction of the airways, leading to breathing issues.

Causes And Triggers Of Asthma

Although there is no known cause of asthma, allergic triggers are the most common initiator of asthma. The allergen in the airway creates an immune-mediated hyper response that starts an inflammatory cascade and constricts the smooth muscles in the airways. Some of the most common allergic triggers include dust mites, cockroaches, pollen, molds, pet dander, and rodents. There are also irritants in the environment that aren't considered allergens, such as cigarette smoke, fires, strong fumes, and chemicals that can initiate an asthma episode. Furthermore, imbalances in the microbiome have also been associated with the development of asthma. This imbalance can interrupt the cell-signaling immune response within the lungs, potentially contributing to asthma.

Symptoms of Asthma

Here are some common symptoms of asthma:

● Shortness of breath

● Chest tightness

● Pain

● Coughing

● Wheezing

Functional Medicine Labs That Can Support Asthma Management

The approach in functional medicine is to assess for possible underlying triggers that can initiate or exacerbate an asthma response. Here are some typical labs that functional medicine practitioners may consider for their asthma patients:

Comprehensive Stool Analysis

The Stool test provides a comprehensive analysis of the stool by assessing markers of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and imbalances in the microbiome. This test is an important consideration if there are imbalances in the microbiome that may be involved with asthma, allowing practitioners to address this possible trigger.

IgE Allergy Panel

This panel can assess for different environmental allergens such as mites, molds, weeds, and pet dander that are often triggers for people with asthma. Practitioners can utilize these results to determine specific triggers so their patients can avoid them.

Food Sensitivity Panel

Food sensitivities can create inflammation in the gut, thus affecting the balance of the microbiome, which can lead to a greater risk of asthma. Utilizing this panel to identify these sensitivities can help practitioners remove inflammatory triggers that may exacerbate asthma and support overall respiratory health.

Additional Labs to Consider 

An additional test to consider is Spirometry. Spirometry is a breathing test that evaluates how much and how well you can breathe air in and out of your lungs. This test is often used to help assess asthma.

[signup]

Conventional Treatment for Asthma

Currently, there is no cure for asthma. Conventional treatments for asthma typically involve medications that focus on immediate relief and long-term management. Bronchodilators are often used for short-term management. These include short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) and anticholinergics. Drugs such as corticosteroid preparations, long-acting bronchodilators, and leukotriene antagonists are used for long-term management. New medications can also be used before allergic exposure to help manage allergic asthma. Cromolyn is a prescription medication that is a steroid-sparing anti-inflammatory used prophylactically and derived from the khella plant.

Integrative Medicine Approaches for Asthma

The integrative medicine approach for asthma is a multi-pronged approach that focuses on the whole person to evaluate and manage this condition. It includes conventional pharmaceutical medicine, personalized nutrition, evidence-based supplements, and other therapies, such as acupuncture, to address the underlying factors contributing to the condition. Integrative practitioners will typically individualize the approaches toward the patient's specific health needs and consider all the factors that affect their health.

Dietary And Nutritional Interventions for Asthma

Staying away from a Western diet and incorporating a more Mediterranean-style diet has been associated with improved asthma outcomes. A Western diet typically has more animal products and does not meet the daily recommended fruit or vegetable intake. This high saturated fat and low fiber intake can contribute to airway inflammation and affect lung function in people with asthma. On the other hand, Mediterranean diets, which focus on meals rich in plants and fruits that are high in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, have been associated with greater lung function and improved asthma symptoms. These diets included greater than five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits daily. 

Another nutritional intervention to consider is avoiding dairy, as removing dairy was shown to improve asthma symptoms. People with asthma are believed to have higher levels of a specific type of mucin in their airways, and certain proteins in dairy milk can stimulate mucous production in these patients, potentially affecting asthma. Overall, the best nutritional intervention to support respiratory health is a diet high in fruits and vegetables while considering the impact of dairy consumption.

Nutritional Supplements and Herbal Remedies for Asthma

Here are some supplements that integrative practitioners may suggest for supporting respiratory health in individuals with asthma: 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, fish or plant-derived, have been indicated to support the body's inflammatory response. The suggested dose is 1500-2000 mg of EPA daily, done in divided doses.

Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol is an antioxidant and bioflavonoid derived from maritime pine. It has been associated with supporting airway health and respiratory function. The suggested dose is 100-200 mg twice daily.

Boswellia

Boswellia is a resin derived from Boswellia plants. It has properties that may support respiratory health. The suggested dose is 300 mg three times daily for adults.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is an herb commonly used for its adaptogenic properties. It may support lung and immune system health. This herb has also been associated with supporting respiratory health over three months of use.

Probiotics

Probiotics are well-known for gut health. In particular, they help maintain the balance of the microbiome. These supplements have been associated with supporting the body's response to allergens in asthma.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential nutrient. Studies indicate that it may support smooth muscle function in the airways and overall respiratory health. The suggested dose is 300-500 mg daily. Mg glycinate is a form of magnesium that may have less laxative effects.

Vitamin D3

This vitamin is associated with supporting immune function and respiratory health. It may support overall well-being at 800-2000 IU daily.

Acupuncture And Traditional Chinese Medicine for Asthma

With the prevalence of people seeking complementary and integrative solutions to their chronic conditions such as asthma, many are turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture. TCM will typically use herbal formulas made up of a combination of traditional Chinese herbs to address specific conditions. For asthma, some of the formulas include Anti-asthma Herbal Medicine Intervention (ASHMI), Modified Mai Men Dong Tang (mMMDT), Ding Chuan Tang (a Chinese herbal decoction), and STA-1 (a mixture of ten Chinese herbs). These formulas have been associated with supporting respiratory health and function. 

Regarding acupuncture for asthma, this therapy has been explored for its potential to support respiratory health and quality of life in asthma patients. It is thought that acupuncture may support immune function and help manage allergic responses. Although, more studies need to be completed for further evaluation of efficacy.

[signup]

Summary

With more people developing asthma, it is necessary to understand what triggers asthma and how to manage it properly. Knowing that some of the triggers may stem from environmental allergens and also imbalances in the microbiome, integrative medicine can provide complementary approaches to evaluating and managing asthma. These integrative approaches, such as dietary changes, clinically relevant supplements, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine, may support overall respiratory health, making integrative medicine a viable approach to improving the quality of life for individuals with asthma.