BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
Asthma is primarily a disorder of the bronchial tubes, the airways that connect the windpipe (trachea) and the lungs. The bronchial tubes are surrounded by smooth muscle. The tubes themselves are lined with mucus glands and contain inflammatory immune-system cells called mast cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. When activated, these cells produce inflammatory mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes, which bind with receptors on cells within the bronchial tubes.
During as asthma attack, a cascade of events is launched that results in the production of histamine and leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are derived from the inflammatory arachidonic acid. These inflammatory mediators cause a host of changes in bronchial tissue: they trigger a dramatic increase in mucus secretion and a simultaneous rapid constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle, which narrows the bronchial tubes and reduces the amount of air that can pass through them. Over the course of the subsequent few hours, inflammatory cells move into the area, capillaries begin to leak fluid, and direct tissue damage occurs, triggering further inflammation and swelling. The net result is wheezing and coughing and eventual trapping of air in the alveoli (a tiny, thin-walled, capillary-rich sac in the lungs, or air sac) and smaller airways. This air trapping is most dangerous to the asthmatic because it progressively limits the amount of air that can be exchanged between the lungs and the blood stream, eventually causing rising carbon dioxide levels and falling oxygen levels. The increased muscular effort required to move air increases oxygen demand, tissue metabolism, and acid production, eventually resulting in exhaustion and, in extreme cases, respiratory collapse and arrest.
OXIDATIVE STRESS AND BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
Higher levels of the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin C, along with the antioxidant trace minerals, were associated with a lower risk of asthma. The idea behind nutritional supplementation is to disrupt this inflammatory cascade whenever possible. For example, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to inhibit the production of arachidonic acid, which reduces the concentration of inflammatory leukotrienes . Other phytonutrients and flavonoids glycosides interfere with other causative factors in the inflammatory cascade, such as inhibiting nuclear factor kappa beta and an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to leukotriene B4.
Scientists are also beginning to better understand the interaction between allergies, asthma, and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when highly reactive molecules, known as free radicals, interact with molecules within the body, especially DNA and mitochondrial membranes. Experimental evidence suggests that some pollutants, such as vehicle exhaust, may produce oxidative stress in the bronchial tubes. Studies suggest that natural dietary supplementation with all nutrients and phyto nutrients like cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid, bio flavonoids , glycosides etc can enhance the pulmonary defenses, thus countering oxidative stress.
Antioxidants (vitamins C, E, and A). A number of studies have suggested that consuming antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, flavonoids, selenium, and other nutrients reduces the risk of bronchoconstriction associated with asthma.
For instance, studies have shown that vitamin C and possibly vitamin E supplementation can alleviate the severity of asthma symptoms. Dietary supplementation with vitamin C and vitamin A has also been associated with reduced susceptibility to asthma attacks. Other studies have demonstrated that vitamin C or E supplementation may be a valuable addition to the treatment of patients with allergic rhinitis (otherwise known as hay fever) and asthma.
Dietary supplementation of vitamin C has also been found to help a specific form of asthma called exercise-induced asthma (EIA). People with EIA are usually symptom free when not exercising. Studies have found that 1 or 2 g vitamin C daily diminished episodes of EIA.
Flavonoids. Flavonoids have antioxidant properties and have been associated with improved lung function. One study demonstrated that a high dietary intake of the flavonoids was associated with a lower prevalence of asthma.
ROLE OF NONI IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
Noni acts as an effective and powerful anti-oxidant. It contains all the vitamins and minerals – Vita A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, beta-carotene, Niacin, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid (B5), Folic Acid. Noni is rich with bio flavonoids, flavone glycosides, linoleic acid, Alizarin, amino acids, acubin, L-asperuloside, caproic acid, caprylic acid, ursolic acid, rutin, and proxeronine.
A research group has successfully identified several new flavonol glycosides, an iridoid glycoside from the Noni leaves, a trisacharide fatty acid ester, rutin, and an asperulosidic acid from the fruit. Besides that Noni contains more than 150 other essential phytonutrients that are highly required for our body.
Therefore Noni may help to reduce the risk of bronco constriction associated with asthma. Anti oxidant property of Noni helps to reduce the oxidative stress and neutralizes the damaging effect of free radicals.
Hence a long term use of Noni helps for the asthmatic patients a lot.
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