Passion fruit peel may alleviate symptoms of asthma

Asthma, or airway inflammation and mucus secretion, can cause wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea. According to the HerbClips article "Efficacy of Purple Passion Fruit Peel Extract in Alleviating Asthmatic Symptoms in Adults," about 17 million people in the U.S. have asthma, an increasing number, which has led to increased interest in the use of nutritional protocols to control asthma.

Purple passion fruit Passiflora edulis peel (PFP) has a history of use with health challenges. In South American folk medicine, extracts of the peel have been used with anxiety, insomnia, asthma, and bronchitis. The extract contains three antioxidants (cyanidin-3O-glucoside, quercetin-3O-glucoside, and edulilic acid) and was "shown to modulate nitric oxide in hypertensive rats."

In a 2008 study with 42 subjects, all participants showed wheeze symptoms at baseline, but only 19.1 % of subjects who took PFP and 78.9% of participants in the placebo group showed symptoms at the end of the study. In addition, "of the approximately 90% and 79% of subjects in the PFP and placebo groups, respectively, with shortness of breath at baseline, approximately 10% and 37%, respectively, had symptoms after treatment. Of the nearly 100% of subjects with cough at baseline, approximately 20% and 50% of subjects in the PFP and placebo groups, respectively, had symptoms after treatment."

These results show that passion fruit peel extract significantly improves asthmatic symptoms after four weeks of usage without adverse effects. The authors of the study concluded that: "PFP extract may be safely offered to asthmatic subjects as an alternative treatment option to reduce clinical symptoms."

References:

Watson RR, Zibadi S, Rafatpanah H, et al. Oral administration of the purple passion fruit peel extract reduces wheeze and cough and improves shortness of breath in adults with asthma. Nutr Res. 2008;28: 166-171.

Based on article © Brenda Milot, ELS, "Efficacy of Purple Passion Fruit Peel Extract in Alleviating Asthmatic Symptoms in Adults," HerbClip

Image © http://www.flickr.com/photos/17548490@N00/1608949872/sizes/s/#cc_license

Studies show the benefit of vitamin D for asthma and allergies

Vitamin D, often thought of as the "sunshine vitamin," has more benefits than a sunny disposition. For example...did you know that vitamin D can help control allergies? According to a recent study in the May 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, children with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to be hospitalized for asthma and had more allergies. That means, with regular levels of vitamin D, your kid's asthma and allergy symptoms may be significantly reduced.

How do you get more vitamin D, especially if it's not sunny? There are many sources, but for kids, perhaps one of the most friendly products is Kids Chewable DHA. In addition to vitamin D, fish oil is a natural source of vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acid, which are essential nutrients.

Other foods with vitamin D include: salmon, tuna, sardines, milk, eggs, cheese, and many ready-to-eat cereals.

Now is the time for education. Take a moment to find out what natural health can do for you.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Founded by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Awareness Month was established to educate clients, family, friends, and co-workers about asthma and allergy challenges, as well as how to live a full, healthy life with them.