First, however, nutritionists warn that nutrition and supplements are completely useless in a rescue situation. If you're having an asthma attack, or if your doctor has prescribed daily medication, nutritional supplements are not a substitute. But doctors do say that there are some natural preventative asthma treatments that you can try that may help your body deal with irritants and allergens more efficiently, and ultimately may reduce your dependence on medication.

Research has shown that asthma sufferers often have mild deficiencies of several important nutrients. We list several of these nutrients below. If you're asthmatic, simply by making sure you get plenty of these nutrients and vitamins in your diet or through supplements, you can help bolster your immune system and better prepare your body to deal with your asthma.

Vitamin C may help reduce the severity of allergic reactions. 500 to 1000 mgs per day is the usual recommended dose to help control asthma symptoms.

Vitamin B6 is a surprise natural preventative asthma treatment. Scientists were studying the effects of vitamin B6 on sickle cell anemia, which often occurs in the same risk groups as asthma. Coincidentally, while evaluating the effect of B6 on anemia, researchers noticed that many of those who also had asthma reported fewer asthma attacks and milder symptoms. Follow-up research confirmed the original finding. Doctors generally recommend 50 mg of vitamin B6 twice a day as a natural asthma preventative treatment in conjunction with regular medication.

Quercetin is found in apples, onions and back tea. Quercetin is on the list of natural preventative asthma treatments because it helps prevent the release of histamines (which cause inflammation of the airways in asthma) and reduce inflammation in the airways. It's especially helpful in cases where asthma is triggered by pollen.

Magnesium is a trace mineral often in low supply in asthma patients. It's one of the keys in regulating muscle contractions in the body. By helping to regulate contractions of the bronchial muscles, magnesium may help encourage the bronchial muscles to relax. On a side note, some studies have shown that the intravenous injection of magnesium can stop some severe asthma attacks. By taking magnesium supplements - or eating high magnesium foods - you may be helping your body to resist the mechanisms that trigger asthma attacks.

Again, it's important to remember that natural preventative asthma treatments are not a substitute for medical care or for your prescribed medication. However, making sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs to do its job never hurts. And by providing your body with all the right ingredients, you're helping to manage your asthma and reduce your dependence on other medications.

 
At A Glance

• Natural preventative asthma treatments are not a substitute for medical care or for your prescribed medication.
• Research has shown that asthma sufferers often have mild deficiencies of several important nutrients.
• More and more doctors are saying that natural preventative asthma treatments can be one part of managing asthma in their patients.
• Vitmain C, vitamin B6, quercetin, and magnesium are nutrients which can help better prepare your body to deal with your asthma.