Asthma: Nutritional Protocol

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Asthma: Nutritional Protocol

http://www.willner.com/article.aspx?artid=141

 

Fifteen million people suffer from asthma. Over six billion dollars

are spent on asthma annually, with over one billion spent on

medications alone.

 

But are these medications working? Are the side effects worse than

the cure?

 

Dr. Richard Firshein believes there is a better answer, and his new

book provides a detailed, alternative approach to treating asthma.

 

In one chapter, he provides information on the role of certain

nutrients:

 

THE BASIC ASTHMA PROTOCOL

 

Magnesium. If I had to recommend one nutrient to asthmatics, it

would be magnesium. Over half a century ago, scientists reported

that magnesium sulfate worked as a natural bronchodilator, one that

opened constricted bronchial tubes without side effects. Though

magnesium alone cannot cure a severe attack, intravenous magnesium

sulfate is now used at many hospitals along with drugs to treat

attacks. Magnesium helps relax smooth muscle, rapidly opens the

bronchial tubes, and as at least one report has shown, can prevent

intubation (a painful procedure in which a tube is forced down the

throat to help a patient breathe).

 

Magnesium works at a cellular level, most likely by displacing

calcium. Calcium stimulates one of the primary allergic cells in the

body-the mast cell-to burst and release a flood of histamine. It is

also necessary for muscle contraction. Magnesium, in contrast, helps

stabilize the mast cell and relax muscles, so it functions as both

an antiinflammatory nutrient and as a bronchodilator.

 

Only a hospital or a trained physician can administer intravenous

magnesium. I find that intravenous magnesium, along with other

nutrients such as vitamin C and the B vitamins, can be

extraordinarily helpful to my patients. Intravenous infusions of

nutrients at levels shown to be safe can go straight into the cell

in a matter of minutes. An oral supplement must be broken down and

digested before it can be absorbed, and that process can be derailed

by faulty enzymes or low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Therefore, oral supplements are not always sufficient, especially in

patients who suffer from digestive problems.

 

One forty-year-old male executive who came to me was extremely

skeptical about IVs. He felt so much better the day after his first

IV that he returned religiously for a treatment every week for the

next ten weeks. Now he is on a maintenance regimen of one IV every

two months.

 

I find intravenous infusions to be most helpful at the beginning of

a treatment program, when I want to replenish long-depleted levels

of nutrients. Finally, intravenous magnesium is useful for acute

attacks of asthma.

 

Supplements of oral magnesium can be useful over the long term. I

recommend daily oral supplementation to all asthmatics. My

preference is a combination of magnesium aspartate, orotate, and

glycinate, in a dose of 500 milligrams a day. (As mentioned in

chapter 4, accurate magnesium levels can only be obtained through an

RBC magnesium test. Standard blood tests only tell you how much free

magnesium is floating in the blood, and studies have shown that

blood levels can be normal while cells themselves are deficient.) A

note of caution: excess oral magnesium can cause diarrhea and lead

to hypermagnesemia.

 

Antiinflammatories

 

Omega-3 fatty acids. Another star in the nutritional arsenal, omega-

3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed and fish oils and are

particularly high in fatty, deep-water fish like salmon, tuna, and

mackerel. Actually incorporating itself into the fatty membrane that

surrounds a cell, fish oil works as a natural antiinflammatory

substance that inhibits a powerful, hormone-like substance known as

prostaglandin E2

 

In general, oils such as omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for the

body. Other oils, such as omega-6 fatty acids, are important but can

lead to inflammation when taken in excess. Omega-6 fatty acids have

been linked to cancer in studies at the Strang Institute in New York

City. They do not necessarily cause cancer, but they increase the

activity of carcinogenic endproducts of estrogen.

 

Studies on fish oil have produced uneven results, mainly because the

length of the studies has varied enormously, from ten weeks to a

year. Most studies have shown a significant response at the cellular

level within ten weeks, so that key inflammatory cells (called

neutrophils) quiet down and fire significantly fewer red-alert

messages.

 

More important, fish oils moderate the late-phase reaction. Asthma

involves both an acute inflammatory response and a secondary, late-

phase reaction that can occur up to twenty-four hours later and last

for weeks. That late-phase response is now believed to be the cause

of chronic asthma and tissue damage, and it is halted by fish oils.

A dramatic clinical response, however, can take as long as six to

nine months. That seems to be how long it takes to repair longterm

damage to the lungs. Remember, unlike drugs, fish oils offer a

gentle treatment that slowly, over time, helps the body repair

tissue damage.

 

One caveat: studies have shown that for asthmatics who are sensitive

to aspirin, fish oils may actually intensify asthma. About 10

percent of asthmatics who are aspirin sensitive did not respond to

fish oil or found that the nutrient intensified their asthma.

Aspirin sensitivity is most often found in patients who suffer from

asthma and nasal polyps. In addition, high levels of fish oils can

thin the blood. This can be beneficial for those at risk for heart

disease. It can also be a problem for asthmatics at risk for

strokes. Before you take fish oils, check with your doctor to be

sure that your circulatory and cardiac systems are in good shape.

 

For those who cannot eat fish-either because they are vegetarians,

do not like the taste of fish, or are allergic to fishanother option

is flaxseed oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids. I treated one

nine-year-old asthmatic who couldn't stand the fish oil capsules

because she belched up a fish taste after swallowing them. Flaxseed

was a reasonable substitute for her.

 

Fish oils can be the key nutrient for some asthmatics. One patient

of mine, a forty-nine-year-old mother, went in for cosmetic surgery

recently. She had been taking fish oils for a year and had been off

cortisone during that time. Because fish oils can thin the blood and

increase bleeding, she went off them before surgery and did not take

them during the eight weeks required for total healing to the head,

neck, and face. She began to notice her symptoms returning during

that period and had to resume supplements for a month before she

felt fine again.

 

I generally recommend 6 grams (6 capsules) of fish oil a day to

patients who regularly eat fish, and up to 12 capsules a day for

those who are not fish eaters. For strict vegetarians, enough omega-

3 fatty acids can be obtained from 3 tablespoons of flaxseed oil a

day. Both magnesium and fish oils help slow the inflammatory

response.

 

Borage oil and evening primrose oil. Both these oils, obtained from

plants and seeds, provide vegetable sources of GLA, gamma linoleic

acid. Borage oil has about four times as much GLA as does primrose

oil. GLA is an important fatty acid that some of us have a hard time

making because we lack sufficient enzymes.

 

Another important function of GLA is that the body can transform it

into omega-3 fatty acids, although we need sufficient enzymes in our

body to do so. The enzyme that is used to transform GLA into omega-3

is also necessary to create inflammatory chemicals from other plant

oils. Therefore, by supplementing GLA, you can use up the enzyme in

creating " good " oils and reduce inflammation. Our bodies prefer

omega-3 oils to all other oils, and our cells absorb them rapidly.

There are a few supplements available that offer both omega-3's from

fish oils, and GLA from plant oils. That, in my opinion, is an

excellent combination. I recommend 3 grams of borage or primrose oil

a day, in three divided doses.

 

Feverfew. Known officially as tanaceturn parthenium, feverfew first

became famous for its proven ability to treat migraines. It is rich

in two powerful plant chemicals known as parthenolide and

sesquiterpenes. A double-blind study published in a prominent

British medical journal found that 50 milligrams daily of freeze-

dried feverfew significantly reduced migraine headaches in seventeen

patients. Another double-blind study of sixty migraine patients

confirmed these results. Feverfew seems to inhibit inflammatory

chemicals known as Prostaglandins as well as histamine. It has also

been shown to inhibit bacteria and yeasts. I recommend 750

milligrams a day in two divided doses.

 

PAF inhibitors. Platelet-activating-factor inhibitors are an

exciting new avenue of treatment. Platelets are blood cells that

perform a wide variety of functions. They cause blood to clot. They

are also part of the inflammatory cascade. (Both inflammation and

clotting are important for wound healing.) However, because PAF is

part of the inflammatory cascade, it can be a potent trigger of

allergies. By dampening levels of PAF, allergies and asthma may be

eased. Used in conjunction with fish oils, PAF fighters can help

down-regulate the inflammatory arm of the immune system. (Feverfew,

for instance, contains one ingredient, parthenolide, that inhibits

PAF,) I currently use two other PAF fighters, ginkgo and

alkylglycerol.

 

Ginkgo. One of the most famous Chinese herbs, ginkgo is taken from a

tree fabled to ensure long life and has long been prescribed for

allergies in traditional Chinese medicine. It is now being studied

in America for use in Alzheimer's disease, because it increases

circulation (including blood flow to the brain). Ginkgo contains

potent chemicals such as flavonglycosides, proanthocyanadins, and

terpenes. Most important, animal studies show that ginkgo reduces

circulating PAF and may help prevent allergic asthma.

 

Ginkgo should be taken as a standardized extract of 24 percent, at

40 milligrams a tablet or capsule. I recommend 3 tablets a day, in

three divided doses.

 

Alkylglycerol An extract of shark oil, this supplement contains

alcohol ethers by that name. These fats are present in high

concentrations in bone marrow, the spleen, and the liver and have

been shown to stimulate the immune system and inhibit tumor growth.

These alcohol ethers dampen the PAF response. I recommend 1 or 2

capsules three times a day.

 

Bronchodilators

 

In addition to magnesium, there are a few potent herbs that can open

up bronchial tubes. However, I recommend that you take these herbs

only under the supervision of a knowledgeable physician and/or

herbalist who is working with your physician. Simply taking herbs

randomly can be dangerous. A recent patient of mine was suffering

from toxic levels of theophylline because of a Chinese herbal

formula that had been mixed up for her by an herbalist. She was

taking the herbal formula every hour, and because the formula

contained high doses of theophylline, she was actually suffering

from toxic blood levels. You can imagine her surprise, for she had

turned to herbs in order to avoid " drugs " !

 

It isn't often that I see a case like that, but it does indicate a

need for caution and supervision. I recommend herbs because, in

general, they are gentler than drugs and often contain many active

ingredients that work synergistically to improve health.

 

Ma huang. This herb is cultivated in China and has been used for

centuries as an herbal remedy. It contains ephedrine, the chemical

used in much greater amounts in asthma medications like Tedral.

Ephedrine is a nervous system stimulant. Ma huang can reduce

swelling in the mucous lining of nasal passages and sinuses. It is a

potent bronchodilator. I like to use it for cough associated with

asthma because of the soothing effect of the warm tea as it is

swallowed and because the ephedra can go right into the mucous

membranes. This herb can be found in most health food stores and in

herbal tea formulas for asthma. This should not be used in

individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease.

 

Cayenne. Capsicum, or red pepper, stimulates secretion of saliva and

thins mucus plugs. It is a stimulant that warms the body, and its

active ingredient, capsaicin, has been shown to desensitize the

airways of rats to irritants. It reduces the edema and permeability

caused by respiratory irritants. This should be used with caution in

individuals with peptic ulcer disease.

 

As you will see, I recommend liberal use of cayenne in cooking. Some

patients do well on cayenne, but patients in an acute state of

illness may find that it aggravates their intestinal tract. For

those who enjoy the taste and warmth of cayenne, I recommend up to

1,000 milligrams a day in three divided doses and/or liberal use in

foods.

 

Coleus forskholii. This herb has been used for centuries in Indian

Ayurvedic medicine. It is a rich source of biologically active

compounds. The active ingredient, forskolin, helps increase

compounds in the body that relax bronchial muscle. Several double-

blind studies have shown that the herb is as effective as the drug

fenoterol, without the side effects of shakiness and tremors.

Standardized extracts of the herb are most effective if they contain

18 percent forskolin. I recommend 50 milligrams two or three times a

day.

 

Turmeric and ginger. Turmeric is a perennial herb of the ginger

family used in Chinese medicine as an antiinflammatory agent. Its

active ingredient is curcumin. Ginger, in turn, is native to

Southeast Asia. It is known as a warming remedy in traditional

Chinese medicine and so is considered useful in colds. Ginger is a

potent inhibitor of prostaglandins, inflammatory chemicals. I prefer

ginger in herbal tinctures and teas. Fresh ginger can be sliced,

simmered for about twenty minutes in water, and sweetened with honey

or milk.

 

Licorice. This is an extensively studied herb whose formal name is

glycyrrhiza glabra. It contains antiallergic, antibacterial, and

antiinflammatory compounds. Two of its components have cortisol-like

effects in the body. One ingredient in licorice can raise blood

pressure, but deglyc-. yrrhizinated commercial products eliminate

this problem. Such a product, DGL, is available as a powder, tablet,

or tincture. Twenty to 40 drops of a tincture in very hot water can

be taken as a tea, three times a day. Licorice in its pure form is

the preferred treatment, however.

 

Compound Herbal Elixir. This product, produced by Eclectic

Institute, is used widely by naturopaths and physicians around the

country. It is recommended for cough and asthma and contains a wide

range of ingredients, including wildcrafted wild cherry, organic

elecampane, red clover blossoms, lobelia, fennel, lomatium

dissecturn, white pine, and essential oil of bitter orange. These

ingredients work together to stimulate the immune system, treat the

symptoms of asthma, and purify the lymph and bloodstream.

 

Antihistamines

 

Vitamin C. This vitamin works as a gentle antihistamine without the

side effects of medications. It is also a superstar vitamin that

serves as an antioxidant. I recommend 3 grams (3,000 milligrams) a

day, in three divided doses.

 

Stinging nettles. This herb has been utilized for decades as a

medicinal agent and edible plant. However, the stinging hairs of

fresh nettle leaves contain histamine as well as chemicals that

actually liberate histamine when you eat the plant. We don't know

why, but somehow this histamine seems to help allergic people. It

sounds paradoxical, but in a double-blind study of sixtynine

individuals with allergic rhinitis, nearly 50 percent found stinging

nettles as effective as their regular medications.

 

I use nettles for asthma patients with sinus problems or nasal

allergies. Care must be taken to obtain a good brand of nettles that

has been properly harvested in the spring, when the potent

constituents of the stinging leaves are present. I generally

recommend 2 capsules, three times a day.

 

Quercetin. This is a potent bioflavonoid that has been well

documented for its antiallergic and antihistamine properties. I find

it very helpful for allergies and recommend 300 milligrams a day in

three divided doses.

 

Histidine. This amino acid is actually a building block for

histamine. For reasons not fully understood, supplements of

histidine seem to reduce allergic symptoms. I recommend 1,500

milligrams in three divided doses daily.

 

Star Nutrients

 

Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene. This famous triumvirate of free-

radical quenchers is being widely studied. In fact, the National

Institutes of Health (NIH) now has over a dozen studies under way on

beta-carotene and cancer. Each of these nutrients works in a special

way.

 

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that penetrates each cell's

fatty membrane and, once there, protects the cell from damage. It is

especially good at neutralizing rancid fats that have themselves

been damaged by free radicals. In particular, vitamin E neutralizes

the damaging effects of ozone, a major component of smog. Since

studies have shown that asthma and allergies worsen in general after

exposure to ozone, this is a necessary nutrient for asthmatics. I

recommend 400 international units a day of vitamin E.

 

Vitamin C deactivates free radicals and stimulates white blood cells

to fight infection. It has been proven to directly kill many

bacteria and viruses, and finally, it has the ability to recycle

vitamin E. After vitamin E has neutralized a free radical, it

becomes inactive. In the presence of vitamin C, it can become active

again. I recommend 3 grams a day, in three divided doses. Vitamin C

can be obtained in a buffered or esterized form so that it does not

cause diarrhea and is more easily absorbed.

 

Beta-carotene and other carotenoids are potent free-radical

quenchers. Low carotene levels are linked with decreased white blood

counts and decreased ability of the white blood cells to fight

infection. Low levels have also been linked with an increased

incidence of lung cancer. There are over six hundred forms of

carotene found in natural sources, but only 10 percent can serve as

building blocks for vitamin A. Those 10 percent, including beta-

carotene, can be converted by the body into vitamin A, which is

crucial for healthy lung tissue. I recommend up to 25,000

international units a day.

 

[excerpted from the book, Reversing Asthma, by Dr. Richard Firshein,

Warner Books. 369 pages. List Price: $24.95. Willner Price: $19.96,

code #29284]

 

Dr. Richard Firshein is one of the most influential and respected

asthma specialists in the country-a physician whose interest in the

disease came from his own baffle With it as a patient. In this

groundbreaking book, Dr. Firshein offers asthma sufferers the

program he developed for his own use and has prescribed with

extraordinary success to his patients-the program that challenges

old ideas about asthma and dramatically cuts the use of drugs for

reversing asthma...

 

DR. Richard N. FIRSHEIN, D.O., is a physician in private practice in

New York City. A frequent guest on television and radio, he hosts

his own weekly radio show, " HouseCalls. " heard in six states. He is

an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the New York College of

Osteopathid Medicine and Medical Director of the Paul Sorvino Asthma

Foundation, and is currently researching alternative treatments

through a grant from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. He created

and edits the newsletter Dr Firshein's Healthy Living Report. A

leader in the field of alternative medicine, he is the president of

Nutraceutical Research, Inc., a corporation dedicated to researching

alternative treatments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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