Cured Meat Intake Linked to Increased Asthma Symptoms

by | Jan 31, 2017 | 2016, Asthma, Lung Health

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. This 2015 epidemiological study found that those who ate cured meat 4 or more times per week over a 7 year period had a 76% increased risk of asthma symptoms when compared to those who ate cured meat less than once per week.  

asthmaAsthma affects more than 20 million Americans, including 6.1 million children 1, and is “a major public health problem of increasing concern in the United States.” While asthma is the third-leading cause of hospitalization in children younger than 15 years of age 2, it affects about in 1 in 14 Americans over the age of 65 and cost our healthcare system $56 billion in 2007 3.

While research frequently focuses on what you can add to your diet to improve asthma symptoms, such as magnesium 4, vitamin D 5, and whole grains 6, research has started to suggest what to avoid in your diet as a way to minimize asthma symptoms. In a 2016 study from France 7, researchers analyzed data from the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma 8. This study examined the intake of cured meat and asthma symptoms over the course of 4 years (2003-2007) in 971 subjects aged 34 to 56 (476 men, 495 women) 42% of whom had asthma.

Over a mean follow-up time of 7 years, the researchers found “a positive direct effect” of cured meat consumption on asthma symptoms. Specifically, compared to those consuming cured meats less than once per week, those consuming cured meats at least 4 times per week had a 76% increased risk of having asthma symptoms (OR=1.76, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.06 for ≥4 vs <1 serving/week) (p < 0.005). There was also an indirect effect mediated by BMI (OR=1.07, 95% Cl 1.01 to 1.14) which accounted for 14% of the worsening symptoms over time.

When suggesting possible mechanisms for the association of cured meats and asthma symptoms, the researchers pointed to data showing that the high levels of nitrites in cured meats may lead to increased cell damage in the form of oxidative stress 9. The intake of cured meat was also shown to increase inflammation 10. Finally, they stated “the high content of salt and saturated fat in cured meat might also contribute in part to the association with asthma” 11.

For the researchers, “higher cured meat intake was associated with worsening asthma symptoms over time” but that “Further studies need to be carried out to improve our understanding regarding potential mechanistic processes.”

Source: Li, Zhen, et al. “Cured meat intake is associated with worsening asthma symptoms.” Thorax (2016): thoraxjnl-2016.

Copyright © 2017, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Thoracic Society

Posted January 31, 2017.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com.

References:

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