Nutrition: Allergies Ameliorated with Fish and Cucumbers

Avoiding allergy drugs that contain steroids are a "Number One" priority for most parents who have asthmatic children.

News from the September issue of Pediatric Allergy Immunology offers hope in the way of good nutrition.

A diet rich in fish and fruity vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, said the journal, will alleviate many of the symptoms associated with asthma and wheezing.

Nearly 500 six-year-olds in Menorca, a Spanish Mediterranean island known for a regular diet of fish and fresh fruit, underwent skin prick tests exposing them to 6 common allergens. Later, parents were asked to complete a survey about specific foods they ate on a regular basis and the allergy symptoms that either did or did not develop.

The results were encouraging, indicating that this intake of fish and fruity veggies was the reason for protecting the children against the symptoms.

An April 2007 issue of Clinical and Experimental Allergy, reported that eating fish during pregnancy decreased the risk for wheezing and other asthma-related symptoms in children younger than six.

The recommended amount of fruity vegetables and fish is 40 to 60 grams, respectively.

You can access this healthful alternative healing to conventional asthma drugs by eating more sushi. Children love cucumber sushi rolls and you can urge them to try cooked salmon or fresh yellowtail rolls by adding homemade "ketchup." This will satsfy the "tomato" requirement and youngsters spread all over their food, anyway.