CAM for Asthma - Sarah

Asthma and Selenium

Selenium deficiency may be important in chronic asthma. Observational studies have demonstrated that patients with chronic asthma may have lower levels of selenium than their control. Nevertheless, selenium supplementation has not been recommended with drug therapy for asthma

Meta-analysis


EBM Reviews - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Allam, Mohamed Farouk. Lucena, Rosario A. Selenium supplementation for asthma. [Systematic Review] Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 1, 2009.
Selection criteria
Randomised trials comparing patients with chronic asthma receiving selenium supplementation in conjunction with asthma medication, with patients taking asthma medication only.

Authors' conclusions
There is some indication that selenium supplementation may be a useful adjunct to medication for patients with chronic asthma. This conclusion is limited because of insufficient studies and lack of improvement in the clinical parameters of lung function.
RCT’s
EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Burgess CD, Bremner P, Thomson CD, Crane J, Siebers RW, Beasley R Nebulized beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists do not affect plasma selenium or glutathione peroxidase activity in patients with asthma. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. 32(6):290-2, 1994 Jun.
Found that selenium levels are not effected by beta 2-agonists, fenoterol and salbutamol (asthma drugs)

EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Shaheen SO, Newson RB, Rayman MP, Wong AP, Tumilty MK, Phillips JM, Potts JF, Kelly FJ, White PT, Burney PG Randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of selenium supplementation in adult asthma. [Journal Article. Multicenter Study. Randomized Controlled Trial. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] Thorax. 62(6):483-90, 2007 Jun.

197 participants, divided into a selenium supplement group or placebo. The primary outcome was asthma-related quality of life (QoL) score. Secondary outcomes included lung function, asthma symptom scores, peak flow and bronchodilator usage. There was an increase in selenium in the supplement group and none in the placebo. The quality of life score improved in the active treatment group, however the difference in change in score between the two groups was not significant (p=0.47), no improvements were seen in the secondary outcomes compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium supplementation had no clinical benefit in adults with asthma, the majority of whom were taking inhaled steroids.

EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Hasselmark L, Malmgren R, Zetterstrom O, Unge G Selenium supplementation in intrinsic asthma. [Clinical Trial. Journal Article. Randomized Controlled Trial. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't] Allergy. 48(1):30-6, 1993 Jan.

This is the original study, with 24 patients suffering from intrinsic asthma. Two randomised groups, receiving selenium, other placebo, there was found to be a significant clinical improvement in the Se-supplemented group. However, the change could not be validated by significant changes in separate clinical tests.

Asthma and Yoga
Maybe some benefit, but not enough evidence to show conclusively. Maybe some benefit in paediatrics –

Therapeutic effects of yoga for children: a systematic review of the literature. [Review] [54 refs] Galantino ML. Galbavy R. Quinn L. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 20(1):66-80, 2008.