Vitamin C may help children with asthma

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TANTA, Egypt, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Depending on a child's age, exposure to molds or dampness and asthma severity, vitamin C shows varying degrees benefits, researchers in Egypt say.

Drs. Mohammed Al-Biltagi of the Tanta University in Egypt and Harri Hemila of the University of Helsinki in Finland analyzed the effect of 0.2 grams per day of vitamin C on 60 asthmatic children ages 7-10.

The effect of vitamin C on the forced expiratory volume per 1 second was modified by age and exposure to molds or dampness.

In the younger children, ages 7-8.2, with no exposure to molds or dampness, vitamin C administration increased the forced expiratory volume per 1 second level by 37 percent. In the older children, ages 8.3-10, with exposure to molds or dampness in their bedroom more than one year before the study, vitamin C increased the forced expiratory volume per 1 second level by 21 percent.

The effect of vitamin C on the asthma symptoms was modified by age and the severity of asthma symptoms. In the younger children, ages 7-8.2, with mild asthma symptoms, the benefit of vitamin C was greatest, but in the older children, ages 8.3-10, who had severe asthma symptoms, the benefit of vitamin C was smallest.

The researchers say they consider it is important to carry out further research to confirm their findings and to identify more accurately the groups of children who would receive the greatest benefit from vitamin C supplementation.

The findings are published in the Clinical and Translational Allergy.