Selenium, Apples, Lower Asthma Risks

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Selenium, Apples, Lower Asthma Risks

JoAnn Guest

Nov 02, 2004 18:44 PST

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Selenium, Apples, Lower Asthma Risk

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12/19/2001 NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new UK study links intake

of apples and the mineral selenium to a lower risk of asthma,

suggesting that certain antioxidants may protect the lungs from

disease.

 

Antioxidants help neutralize damaging forms of oxygen that arise

from normal metabolism. These free radicals are unstable compounds

that can damage cells and are thought to contribute to chronic

disease.

 

Researchers have speculated that antioxidants may protect lung

health, including lowering the risk of asthma. But studies on

antioxidants like vitamins C and E have produced conflicting

results. And even less is

known about other antioxidants, such as plant compounds called

flavonoids and trace minerals like selenium, according to Dr. Seif

O. Shaheen and colleagues.

 

Red wine intake was associated with a reduction in the severity of

asthma, according to Shaheen and colleagues from King's College in

London and the University of Southampton.

 

``The associations between apple and red wine consumption and asthma

may indicate a protective effect of flavonoids,' the researchers

write.

 

They speculate that certain subtypes of flavonoids may be key in

this protection since other flavonoid-containing foods did not

affect asthma risk or severity. Or, in the case of apples, different

compounds altogether may be at work.

 

``The association (of asthma risk) with apples suggests that we need

a better understanding of how flavonoids, or other constituents of

apples, influence respiratory health,'' Shaheen's team concludes.

 

As for selenium, they suggest that part of the blame for the UK's

rising asthma rates may rest in the nation's declining selenium

intake.

 

The researchers note that selenium may protect against asthma by

suppressing airway inflammation.

 

Selenium is found in foods such as organic whole grains and pasta,

Brazil nuts and walnuts, low/no sodium tuna and organic beef.

 

Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

 

To see how dietary antioxidants affect asthma risk and severity,

Shaheen's team surveyed nearly 1,500 UK adults about their eating

habits during the previous year. They focused particularly on

intakes of fruits and vegetables, flavonoid-rich foods like apples,

onions, tea and red wine, antioxidant vitamins, and trace elements

that act as antioxidant enzymes--such as selenium, zinc and copper.

 

The investigators found that people who ate at least two apples per

week faced a 22%- to 32% lower asthma risk than those who ate fewer.

 

And as selenium intake increased, asthma risk declined, according to

findings published in a recent issue of the American Journal of

Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Participants with the

highest intakes--54 to 90 micrograms a day--were only about half as

likely to

have asthma as those who consumed the least selenium, about 23 to 30

micrograms daily. The US recommended daily intake for selenium is 55

micrograms.

 

http://www.greatestherbsonearth.com/nsparticles/asthma_remedy.htm

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JoAnn Guest

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