Whether you are running, swimming or cycling then correct breathing is an integral component of effective exercise. It’s sound easy to breathe in (inhaling on the way up) and breathe out (exhaling on the way down) unless you suffer from exercise-induced asthma. Symptoms on exercise induced asthma include chest tightness, coughing, fatigue and shortness of breathe. It is estimated that about nine out of ten chronic asthma sufferers may suffer from the effects of exercise-induced asthma.
Researchers from the University of Indiana have determined that fish oil may reduce the severity of exercise-induced asthma in athletes. Mickleborough et al (1) studied 20 athletes, half of which suffered from exercise-induced asthma and half didn’t. The athletes with asthma were then given daily fish oil supplements (approximating to over 5g a day) for three weeks. The other half took capsules containing olive oil. Later the treatments were switched. Neither group was aware of what they were taking at any time.
To test the athletes lung function, they were told to exercise to exhaustion on a treadmill. Among the athletes with exercise-induced asthma, there was an almost 80% improvement in a lung function test taken 15 minutes after exercise. The researchers suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil supplements may be the reason for their results.
Good dietary sources of fish oil include herring, salmon, mackerel and sardines. The benefits of fish oil can also being obtained from supplements (although please consult a naturopath or dietitian before beginning to take fish oil supplements as some may contain levels of mercury and other toxins. The level of fish oil used in this study are considered to be on the high side)
(1) Mickleborough T, Murray R, Ionescu A, Lindley M. “Fish oil supplementation reduces severity of exercise-induced bronochoconstriction in elite athletes.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. November 2003; 168(1): 1146-7
Call to book your appointment
or learn more about our services
0407 745 129
All Rights Reserved 2006, EASTERN SUBURBS MOBILE MASSAGE
