Lack of vitamins boosts asthma risk

A diet low in vitamins A and C boosts the risk of developing asthma, research has suggested.

A review of 40 studies found that people with low levels of the key vitamins were more likely to suffer from asthma than those without the condition.

Each vitamin was independently linked with an increase in the risk of asthma. For vitamin A, people with the lowest levels tended to have more severe asthma than other sufferers.

Experts say people should be able to get their daily supply of vitamins A and C from a healthy diet. Good sources of vitamin A include cheese, eggs, oily fish, milk, fortified margarine and yoghurt. Recommended intakes are 0.7mg a day for a man and 0.6mg a day for a woman, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Good sources include peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, oranges and kiwis. It is recommended that adults have 40mg a day.