Many parents are showing interest in supplementing vitamins and minerals as a way to improve their child's asthma. Whether these nutrients are effective has been an ongoing debate among researchers.

This means while providing additional daily nutrients through foods or a multivitamin supplement probably won't hurt your child, more scientific evidence is needed that supports the use of specific nutrients in an asthma treatment program.

But, remember to discuss the addition of any supplements with your health care provider. Ingesting amounts over and above the usual daily requirements could be unhealthy for your child in the long run.

Magnesium

Much interest has been focused on magnesium because of its role (working with calcium) in contracting and relaxing smooth muscles, which have an important role in the process of breathing. Also, individuals with asthma have been found to have low levels of magnesium. Studies have looked at the intravenous use of magnesium sulfate when asthma patients have been hospitalized or encountering a medical emergency. However, no study information is available on how daily use of magnesium can improve asthma among children and adults.

Vitamins A, C, and E

The benefits of vitamins A (beta-carotene), C (ascorbic acid), and E (alpha tocopherol) — in their roles as antioxidant nutrients — have received much discussion as a way to improve and treat asthma symptoms among children. But so far, the evidence has been mixed and far from conclusive. Antioxidants help regulate your child's immune system so it doesn't overreact, which could trigger asthma symptoms, or underreact, which could increase the chance of infections.

Part of the interest in the medical community lies with the fact that asthmatic children were found to have lower blood concentration of two of these vitamins (C and E) when they had no symptoms. These levels were found to be lowest particularly among those with severe asthma.

Vitamin A has garnered interest in its role to protect your child's immune system and maintain epithelial cells and mucous membranes in your child's respiratory system. These are important in blocking substances that trigger asthma symptoms.

Researchers also have been looking at the role that large doses of vitamin C — received as supplements — have in curbing airway inflammation related to exercise-induced asthma. One study found that supplements, combined with ongoing treatments, produced fewer drops in lung function following exercise when used by college athletes. Research is continuing in this area.

While the evidence is still being weighed, adding antioxidants naturally to your child's diet through fruits and vegetables is unlikely to draw much opposition from his health care provider. Although vitamin C appears (along with vitamin E) to have some healthful benefits in terms of managing some asthma symptoms, it should not be depended on solely for treatment of asthma. But, avoid overdoing doses of these vitamins (through supplements) because excessive doses could be seriously harmful to your child.

B Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins — such as B-1 (thiamine) and B-2 (ribo-flavin) — have important roles in supporting your child's immune system. The one vitamin that has gained particular interest is B-6 (pyridoxine) that has been found in some studies to be beneficial to asthmatic children — resulting in fewer asthma symptoms and flare-ups.

Zinc

Like magnesium, individuals with asthma have been found to have lower levels of zinc than those without asthma. No direct connection, though, has been made between a lack of zinc and asthma symptoms. However, it has garnered some interest as an antioxidant.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Much discussion also has come up over the use of oils from cold-water fatty fish — especially those that contain essential fatty acids, better known as omega-3s. These oils, and their anti-inflammatory properties, have caught the attention of researchers who are trying to find if they could hold promise for treating asthma. These oils can be found in a capsule form, but no positive effect has been found in relation to asthma.