Asthma patients who are non-obese can safely take part in
well-planned, high-intensity exercise.”
A healthy diet & regular exercise can radically reduce
asthma symptoms & perk up quality of life for people with the condition,
research says.
Scientists in Italy compared the progress of asthma patients
who were at random assigned specific lifestyle-changing regimes or continued
living as normal for a period of 8 weeks.
At the end of the study those who took exercise classes 3
times a week & ate a healthy low-glycaemic index (GI) diet rich in protein,
fruit & vegetables rated their asthma symptoms score 50percent lower than
patients in the non-intervention control group.
Participants who only altered their exercise level or diet,
but not both, reported a 30percent improvement in symptoms.
“Our research suggests that non-obese asthma patients can
safely take part in well-planned, high-intensity exercise. It as well shows
that exercise combined with a healthy diet can help patients control their
asthma symptoms & enjoy a better quality of life.
“These are vital findings since we know that not all
patients have good control over their symptoms & consequently can have a
lower quality of life. We likewise know that many patients are interested in
whether they can improve their asthma control with exercise & a healthy
diet.
“Our study suggests that people with asthma should be
encouraged to eat a healthy diet & to take part in physical activity.”
A low-GI diet is one that releases sugar slowly into the
blood & helps maintain a well-balanced metabolism.
Results from the research, which involved a total of 125
participants, were presented at the European Respiratory Society International
Congress in Milan, Italy.
The study did not show a clear improvement in lung function,
but found that the diet & exercise combination improved symptom control &
quality of life.
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