Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Br J Nutr. 2013 Jul 14;110(1):145-55. doi: 10.1017/S0007114512004692. Epub 2012 Dec 5.
Dietary pattern changes may be one of the key factors associated with increasing asthma prevalence. Observational studies have found negative associations between fruit, vegetable and fish consumption and risk of asthma. Experimental studies have also shown that probiotics can modulate the immune system. However, each dietary component exhibits a modest effect. The objective of the present study was to investigate the joint effect of multiple beneficial dietary components on asthma. We designed a 16-week school-based double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial. The supplement group received fruit plus vegetable concentrate, fish oil and probiotics (FVFP supplement), while the control group received placebos. A total of 192 asthmatic children aged 10-12 years were recruited from elementary schools in metropolitan Taipei. Pulmonary function, medication usage, Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) score and the Childhood Asthma Control Test score were evaluated at baseline, and at weeks 8 and 16. Compared with the placebo group, the supplement group showed significant improvement in pulmonary function parameters (91 v. 178 ml for forced vital capacity (FVC), 40 v. 107 ml for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and 1·6 v. 4·8 % for FEV1:FVC ratio; all P values < 0·01) and had a significantly reduced proportion of those using short-acting inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. However, the PAQLQ score and the Childhood Asthma Control Test score were not significantly different between the two groups, possibly because the majority of the children were treated routinely. FVFP supplements reduced medication use and improved pulmonary function in asthmatic children. The present study supports an adjuvant intervention with a combination of fruit, vegetable, fish and probiotic foods.
饮食模式的改变可能是与哮喘发病率增加相关的关键因素之一。观察性研究发现，水果、蔬菜和鱼类的摄入与哮喘风险呈负相关。实验研究还表明，益生菌可以调节免疫系统。然而，每种饮食成分的作用都很温和。本研究旨在探讨多种有益饮食成分对哮喘的联合作用。我们设计了一项为期 16 周的基于学校的双盲安慰剂对照随机试验。补充组接受水果加蔬菜浓缩物、鱼油和益生菌（FVFP 补充剂），而对照组接受安慰剂。共招募了 192 名来自台北都会区小学的 10-12 岁哮喘儿童。在基线、第 8 周和第 16 周评估肺功能、用药情况、儿童哮喘生活质量问卷（PAQLQ）评分和儿童哮喘控制测试评分。与安慰剂组相比，补充组的肺功能参数有显著改善（用力肺活量（FVC）增加 91ml 对 178ml，1 秒用力呼气量（FEV1）增加 40ml 对 107ml，FEV1/FVC 比值增加 1.6%对 4.8%；所有 P 值均＜0.01），且使用短效吸入支气管扩张剂和吸入皮质类固醇的比例显著降低。然而，两组之间的 PAQLQ 评分和儿童哮喘控制测试评分没有显著差异，可能是因为大多数儿童都接受了常规治疗。FVFP 补充剂减少了哮喘儿童的药物使用并改善了肺功能。本研究支持对水果、蔬菜、鱼类和益生菌食品进行联合干预的辅助治疗。
