Is Your Asthma and Hay Fever Being Caused by Fast Food?

If you work in the school systems of the world, you would probably be aware of the increase of allergies, asthma, eczema and even hay fever in children. Problems such as these have been on the rise over the last number of years and may have a number of contributing reasons. While in part, we can attribute pollution, lifestyle and socio-economic sources for the increase, a recent study is linking high intake of fast food with allergies.

The respiratory report called ‘Thorax’ by the British Medical Journal recently reported that young children and teenagers that consume higher levels of fast food may be increasing their risks for the development of eczema, asthma and hay fever. The study involved 319,196 thirteen to fourteen year olds from fifty one countries and 181,631 six to seven year old children from thirty one countries. The results showed a link between those kids that consumed higher levels of fast foods and low levels of fresh fruit. The risk was significant, at a thirty percent increase of severe hay fever, asthma and eczema. The researchers were not surprised at the results as it has been long known that diet affects the immune system, and a diet that is high in fats, sugars and preservatives and low in fresh fruits and vegetables can trigger immune system problems.

The researchers of the study made note that it is important to remember that the results indicate that this is an association only and they cannot state that fast food is a direct cause of allergic diseases. It is a red flag to parents and guardians to increase the fresh fruit content of children’s diets to assist in combating allergic reactions. There are other possible reasons for the increase of allergies that are contributing sources, but now we can potentially eliminate fast food from our kids’ diets to see if there is a positive response.

Source: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/14/asthma-eczema-and-hay-fever-may-be-linked-to-fast-food/?hpt=he_bn2

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.