Study Links Fatty Foods to Severe Asthma
Research indicates that consuming fatty foods might contribute to a serious type of asthma. Scientists have identified a chemical in processed foods that can provoke airway inflammation, a key factor in developing this condition.
An analysis conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia revealed that a diet high in saturated fats correlates with neutrophilic asthma—one of the most challenging forms—regardless of the patient’s weight.
The study found that stearic acid, commonly present in animal fats and processed foods, triggers a series of reactions in the lungs. This reaction leads to inflammation of the airways, which, in turn, can result in asthma.
Interestingly, oleic acid, found in vegetable oils like olive oil, seems to have the opposite effect, helping to reduce inflammation.
Dr. David Hill, the study’s senior researcher and a physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, noted that before this study, many believed that obesity in children was responsible for this form of asthma. Yet, cases were observed in children who weren’t obese, prompting the search for another underlying cause.
“We identified that certain long-chain saturated fatty acids in diets can lead to neutrophilic asthma, independent of obesity,” he explained.
In the UK, over five million people suffer from asthma, with around 200,000 experiencing severe asthma, often requiring hospitalization multiple times a year. It’s estimated that approximately 15 percent of those with severe asthma have the neutrophilic variety, marked by the immune system overreacting and flooding the lungs with neutrophils—an inflammatory type of white blood cell.
Health experts believe it’s important for doctors to recommend dietary adjustments to manage asthma effectively. Professor Lisa Young, a pediatric specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that different asthma subtypes may require tailored treatments. “These findings are promising, indicating that specific dietary changes might help in preventing this type of asthma,” she remarked.
