Bronchial Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell to possibly produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath. But there is no fundamental treatment for it, leaving a desire for new prevention and treatment methods.
People who suffer from allergies, such as hay fever, neuro dermatitis or cradle cap, have an increased risk of bronchial asthma. Smokers and passive smokers are also more susceptible to asthma. Frequent respiratory tract infections also can lead to the development of asthma. Risk factors include low birth weight and excess weight in childhood.
Importance of Soybeans
As we know, soybean or soya bean has become one of the most widely consumed foods in the world for its many health benefits. It has high protein content, fiber, antioxidants, omega-3, fatty acids etc. among other essential nutrients required by the body. It has grown to popularity due to their derivatives such as tofu, soy milk, and textured vegetable protein. Health benefits of soy beans are relieve sleep disorders, manage diabetes, improve blood circulation etc.
Fermented Soybeans
Fermented soybean products, such as natto, soy paste, soy sauce and douchi, are widely consumed in East Asian countries and are major sources of bioactive compounds. The fermentation of cooked soybean with bacteria (Bacillus spp.) and fungi (Aspergillus spp. and Rhizopus spp.) produces a variety of novel compounds. The health benefits of fermented soy beans are attenuating the effects of diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, cardiac disorders and cancer-related issues.
Solution
Now a new study reveals that a fermented soy product suppresses airway inflammation in animal models of asthma. Researchers from the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine have found that in a group of asthma model mice, treated with this product, white blood cells associated with asthma called eosinophils were significantly reduced in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). This also decrease in inflammation and mucus around the bronchi, the team found a suppression of proteins that induce eosinophilic inflammation.
“The relationship between soy intake and allergic diseases has been epidemiologically reported in the past,” explained Hideaki Kadotani, first author of the study, “suggesting that the components of soy may have some anti-allergic effects”.
“It was reported that imbalances in the gut microbiota may be involved in immune system and allergic diseases, and fermented dietary fiber, like that found in soy, might have beneficial effects in allergic asthma models.” continues Associate Professor Kazuhisa Asai.
Effects
In the group treated with this fermented soy product, the number of eosinophils in BALF was significantly reduced, and inflammation around the bronchi and mucus production in the bronchial epithelium was suppressed. Also, the expression of Th2 cytokines and the immunoglobulin serum IgE that induce eosinophilic inflammation in BALF were measured and found to be significantly suppressed when compared to mice fed a normal diet.
Clinical Practice
Steroid inhalants are the basis of asthma treatments, yet they are known to have adverse side effects,” states Professor Tomoya Kawaguchi, lead advisor to the study. “Our results suggest that the intake of fermented soybean products should be recommended as a complementary coping strategy to asthma with fewer side effects”.
References
Check out: “Damaged Lungs Back To Life with the help of Pigs“
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