Study shakes up belief that low-salt diet helps asthma
18.07.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
The long-standing advice that asthmatics adhere to a low-sodium diet to improve their symptoms has been challenged by a new study. According to new research from the University of Nottingham, there is no evidence that cutting back on salt has any effect on asthma control. "Despite the clear benefit of a low-sodium diet on cardiovascular risk factors, there is no therapeutic benefit in the use of a low-sodium diet…on asthma control in our study population," said Zara Pogson, a clinical research fellow at the University of Nottingham, in a release. In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, researchers studied 200 asthmatics aged 18-65 to see if there was any impact on their bronchial reactivity — essentially how their lungs reacted while on a strict low-sodium diet. Participants all had to have shown bronchial reactivity to methacholine, a drug that is routinely administered in asthma tests to produce a change in lung function. Study participants either received placebo tablets or sodium supplements containing 80 millimoles per litre a day — the equivalent of normal daily sodium intake — for a total of six weeks. Their lung function was then tested. The researchers found almost no difference between the two groups in terms of lung function. "We were disappointed that a simple measure, such as a decrease in sodium intake, does not result in improvements in asthma control," said Pogson. "We therefore cannot advise people with asthma to alter their sodium intake to improve control of their asthma, despite the fact that a low-sodium diet improves cardiovascular risk factors." The study was conducted between February 2006 and June 2007. Approximately three million people in Canada have asthma, according to the Asthma Society of Canada. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksHousehold cleaning sprays linked to higher asthma riskObesity, asthma in children not linked: Canadian studyHealth HeadlinesProtein test better than cholesterol test in predicting heart attacks: studyMeasuring the ratio of two forms of proteins in the blood is superior to cholesterol testing as a means of predicting heart attack risk and should become part of standard practice by doctors, researchers say. Traditional Chinese doctors fight proposed federal regulation Doctors of Chinese Medicine across Canada have joined forces to fight the federal government's controversial Bill C-51, a proposed law that critics say will make many natural health products unavailable, including Chinese herbs.2007 a banner year for babies in U.S.More babies were born in the United States last year than ever before, according to preliminary data, but it's not another baby boom just yetNYC's chain restaurants must post calories or face finesChain restaurants in New York City must post their calorie counts on menu boards as of Saturday or face the prospect of hefty fines.Underactive region in brain linked to OCDBritish researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that an area of the brain that regulates habitual behaviour is under-activated in people with obsessive compulsive disorder and their close family members. Health FeaturesBIRTH CONTROLThird World woesMillions need help, advocates sayIN DEPTHRed, red wineHealth pros and consHEALTHLife spanLongevity secrets from around the worldVIDEOYour heartCan depression lead to heart disease? (3:29)HEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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