06.29.09
Indication: Asthma
Source: Thorax, 2009 Apr 30 [Epub ahead of print]
Research: Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether dietary intake of vitamins A, C and E may be associated with the occurrence of asthma. They searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CAB abstracts and AMED (up to November 2007), conference proceedings and bibliographies of papers to identify studies of asthma, wheeze or airway responsiveness in relation to intakes and serum concentrations of vitamins A, C and E.
Results: A total of 40 studies were included. Dietary vitamin A intake was significantly lower in people with asthma compared to those without asthma and in severe compared to mild asthma. Lower quartile dietary intakes and serum levels of vitamin C were also associated with an increased odds of asthma. Vitamin E intake was generally unrelated to asthma status but was significantly lower in severe compared to mild asthma. These findings led researchers to conclude that relatively low dietary intakes of vitamins A and C are associated with statistically significant increased odds of asthma and wheeze. Vitamin E, however, does not appear to be related to asthma status.