( NUTRITION )
GUT BACTERIA TO HELP
DR JOANNA
FIGHT ASTHMA
Dr Joanna shares the latest news from the The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand .
esults from the Australian trial of a
R radical new approach to asthma ,
are expected to offer hope to the estimated one million Australians struggling to control the disease .
Research on fibre supplements in humans to treat asthma – a world first – has had positive results and could become a complementary , non-pharmacological treatment for people with poorly managed asthma . The research was presented for the first time at the Thoracic Society for Australia and New Zealand ( TSANZ ) Annual Scientific Meeting in Canberra .
This is the first time anyone has looked at the impact of altering the gut microbiome on asthma control in humans . ‘ We ’ re at the tip of a new paradigm for how diet can be used to treat asthma ’ said Professor Peter Gibson , President of TSANZ , speaking from the conference . ‘ This ground-breaking research offers hope of a viable , complementary treatment for tens of millions of asthmatics around the world struggling to control their asthma with existing medications ,’ said lead researcher , University of Newcastle ’ s Professor Lisa Wood .
An estimated 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma , with 250,000 annual deaths attributed to the disease 1 . Australia has around 2.3 / 2.4 million people living with asthma and nearly half of these are failing to control their disease 2 . Total government costs due to asthma for 1990 to 2015 were $ 30.6 billion and are projected at $ 4.0 billion for 2016-2019 3 .
The study , conducted by the University of
Newcastle ’ s Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs , gave a number of stable asthmatics daily supplements with insulin , a soluble fibre supplement . Changes in asthma control ( ACQ ), lung function ( FEV1 ), and gut microbiota were then monitored . It found that fibre supplements altered the gut microbiome , which in turn had a positive effect on asthma control and reduced airway inflammation . The treatment was most effective in people who were poorly controlled at the start of the intervention .
Another study being presented by the group examined the impact of fatty foods on asthma and found that as little as a single meal high in saturated fats worsens inflammation . This results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs , and leads to asthma symptoms such as coughing , wheezing , shortness of breath , and chest tightness .
The body of research holds particular significance for obese asthmatics , who have some of the poorest diets and health outcomes for asthma . ‘ For many obese asthmatics , using puffers to control their asthma simply isn ’ t working and it has doctors baffled ,’ said Professor Gibson . ‘ With almost two out of three adult Australians obese or overweight , this is becoming an increasingly pressing issue . These studies – which shed light on how diet can impact asthma by its effect on the gut microbiome and airway inflammation – hold particular significance for this group ,’ he said .
However , the researchers are keen to emphasise the important messages these studies hold for people .
‘ More and more , we are learning about how our Westernised , highly processed diet is negatively impacting our health . These studies show both how diets high in fat can worsen asthma , and how – conversely – a diet high in soluble fibre can help manage it . It illustrates just how important it is that we eat healthily , and how fundamental healthy gut bacteria are to our wellbeing ” said Professor Wood .
References 1 . The Medical Journal of Australia 2 . World Health Organisation 3 . Deloitte
About TSANZ
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The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand ( TSANZ ) is the only health peak body representing a range of professions ( medical specialists , scientists , researchers , academics , nurses , physiotherapists , students and others ) across various disciplines within the respiratory / sleep medicine field in Australia and New Zealand . The TSANZ is a Health Promotion Charity and is committed to serving the professional needs of its members , by improving knowledge and understanding of lung disease , with the ultimate goals being to prevent respiratory illness through research and health promotion and to improve health care for people with respiratory illness .
To find out more about how to eat for optimum health , or to discover Dr Joanna ’ s fresh , personalised , researchbased approach to Get Lean , visit www . drjoanna . com . au
14 OH ! MAGAZINE ( MAY 2017 )