Guest Author - Amy Anaruk

For the two weeks ending July 14, 2007.


Childhood Asthma Gene Identified

Scientists have pinpointed a gene that drastically raises the risk of childhood-onset asthma. Imperial College London researchers and their international colleagues conducted this study of 2,000 children.

They found the gene called ORMDL3 on chromosome 17 and discovered that it occurs in much higher levels of the white blood cells of asthmatic children than in non-asthmatics. Just one mutation in this genetic sequence could increase the risk of developing asthma up to 80%.

Pinpointing this gene of susceptibility offers a world of promise for asthma treatment, especially since the team is planning further genetic studies. Future ramifications of the research could include more targeted asthma therapies, an asthma blood test, and possibly even a method of preventing asthma in the first place.

This study originally published in the July issue of Chest, the official publication of the American College of Chest Physicians.


Poor Diet Linked to Increased Respiratory Symptoms in Teens

Harvard School of Public Health's Jane Burns, ScD, recently published results of her study showing a healthy diet can significantly impact teenagers' respiratory health. Burns and her team followed over 2,000 12th graders from the U.S. and Canada for a year. They picked this group to study because teenagers are at the peak of lung health.

Many teenagers in the study who reported eating low amounts of fruit, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids did not perform well on lung function tests and hand an increase in bronchitis and/or asthma symptoms. The findings were especially significant for teens who smoke.

In the study results, Burns stresses that eating well is not a cure and is, instead, just one component of dealing with the complex problem of asthma.

This study was also originally published in the July issue of Chest, the official publication of the American College of Chest Physicians.


***********

"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh



This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physician's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.