Diet and childhood asthma: review

Abstract

Childhood asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory childhood disease with almost 20% children and adolescents reporting asthma symptoms in South Africa. Associations between asthma and dietary antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, selenium, polyphenols, and fruit), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and vitamin D have been found. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet seems protective. This condensed review briefly reports on available data of possible protective dietary patters and practices.