A new study published the July issue of CHEST found that a low dietary intake of certain nutrients increases the likelihood of respiratory symptoms and leads to lower lung function.
The study suggests that higher intakes of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory micronutrients are associated with lower reports of cough and respiratory infections, and less severe asthma-related symptoms. Researchers also found that teenagers with low dietary intakes of fruit, vitamen E, and omega-3 fatty acids could have a greater risk of developing asthma.
The study consisted of over 2,000 12th graders from 12 communities in the United States and Canada over the period of one school year.