Pulmonary Function, Waist Circumference And Antioxidants
With several studies now pointing to the benefit of antioxidants on lung function, why are they not standard recommendations for asthmatics? vitamin C is known to inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells, possibly effecting the level of bronchoconstriction in response to an allergen. This article also identifies an association with waist circumference and lung function. Greater circumference equals poorer function. The authors theorize that this may be due to a direct mechanical effect on the diaphragm and chest well. I would rather look as increased waist circumference as a marker for other lifestyle habits (increased stress, poor glycemic control) that would also have an effect of lung function.
Am J Epidemiol 2001;153:157-163 Waist circumference is inversely associated with lung function, according to the results of a new study. The findings also suggest that vitamin C intake is directly associated with pulmonary function in men. The researchers also determined that when waist circumference and other factors were taken into account, “vitamin C and beta-carotene were significantly positively associated with lung function in men and that beta-carotene also seemed to be positively associated with FVC in women.” But Dr. Chen’s team did not detect a significant association between pulmonary function and retinol or vitamin E in either sex. The investigators found that “the odds ratio of airway obstruction increased significantly with waist circumference but decreased with vitamin C intake” in both sexes. The researchers also detected an association between lung function and beta-carotene, but not between lung function and retinol or vitamin E. The cause of the inverse association between girth and pulmonary function is uncertain, but one possible explanation, according to the researchers, is that a large waist circumference may affect the movement of the diaphragm and chest wall.