John Lippman of Two Angry Moms circulated a news item this morning that might be of interest.
In a study of more than 50,000 children in twenty countries, researchers concluded that children who eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish have a lower risk of developing asthma, while those eating three or more burgers a week had a higher risk.
The study is imperfect in that researchers admit eating burgers may simply be linked to other unhealthy habits, and that obesity can also affect asthma. On the other hand, the study suggests that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may be helpful in preventing asthma because of the protective effects of antioxidants and vitamin C.
As if you needed another reason to push those fruits and veggies. . . .
You can read the news account of the study, which is reported in the journal Thorax, here.
Dr. Susan Rubin says
Most integrative pediatricians along with anyone who has had training in Chinese medicine will tell you that there is a significant connection between Lungs and Intestine. This 5 Element Theory is the core foundation of Chinese medicine, a system which is thousands of years old.
I always smile when a “study”like this hits the news to prove what has already been well established. Its a great reminder that Western medicine is very young. Too bad most Americans put so much faith in it!
bettina elias siegel says
SuRu – It does seem commonsensical that a diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables is generally going to lead to better health no matter what particular disease is under consideration, doesn’t it? I wish the investigators had done a better job in controlling the study’s “noise.” Thanks, as always, for your thoughts. – B