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少吃水果和魚 青少年易氣喘

2007年08月07日
摘譯自2007年8月1日,ENS麻州康橋報導;許念真編譯;蔡麗伶審校

多數在美國和加拿大的青少年較常選擇漢堡與薯條,而比較不常食用魚和水果。哈佛公共衛生學院及加拿大衛生署合作針對2100位青少年的研究顯示,吃最少魚和水果的青少年的肺部功能是最弱的。

哈佛公衛學院的研究員柏恩(Jane Burns)表示:「我們研究中多數青少年每日攝取的水果蔬菜、維他命E和奧米茄三脂肪酸(omega-3 fatty acids)是低於標準建議量。」魚含有高量有益健康的奧米茄三脂肪酸,而且「他們較少攝取這些成份與較弱的肺部功能有關係,也增加得到氣喘及支氣管炎的可能性。」

抽菸者比不抽菸者更容易罹患這些肺功能的疾病,其機率高達4倍之多。研究者發現結合抽菸與攝取維他命和其他養分不足兩種因素,得到慢性支氣管炎的風險增加到7倍。

柑橘、檸檬、番茄、綠色蔬菜與草莓當中含有的維生素C,對於保護肺部和其他器官不受病毒感染是重要的。柏恩認為多數青少年從綜合果汁當中獲得維他素C是不當的。而按照每日建議量攝入維他素C的青少年也沒有最健康的肺部功能。因此柏恩建議將每日建議量從目前的85毫克增加到100毫克。

Teens Who Wheeze Eat Too Little Fruit, Fish
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, August 1, 2007 (ENS)

Most teenagers in the United States and Canada don't choose to eat fish and fruit nearly as often as they choose burgers and chips. Now, a study of more than 2,100 teens conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and Health Canada has found that those who eat the least fruit and fish have the weakest lungs.

"Most of the adolescents in our study had dietary intakes of fruit, vegetables, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids below recommended daily levels," said Jane Burns, a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health. Fish are high in healthful omega-3 fatty acids. "Low intakes were associated with lower lung function and increased odds of asthma and chronic bronchitis," said Burns.

Smokers are four times more likely to experience these lung problems than non-smokers. The researchers found that the combination of smoking and not getting enough vitamins and other nutrients increases the risk of chronic bronchitis seven-fold.

Vitamin C, found in oranges, lemons, tomatoes, greens, and strawberries, is also necessary for protecting lungs and other organs from infection. Most of the teens tested got the daily recommended amount of C mainly from fruit punch, which Burns says is not the best way. Those teens who barely consumed the recommended amount did not have the healthiest lungs. Burns suggests raising the daily amount from the 85 milligrams now recommended to 100 milligrams.

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作者

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.