I believe asthma can have close correlation to iron deficiency (anemia).

[Lynseyinlondon]

I'm a woman in my 50's, have had pet and house dust allergies all my life, take inhalers daily.

Around two years ago I stumbled upon a product called SpaTone in Boots, which professes to be a natural iron-rich water which unlike most supplements is very gentle on the stomach.

I started taking SpaTone occasionally with fruit juice, started noticing I felt stronger and better in myself.... 2 years on I'm absolutely convinced that in some way, directly or indirectly, the SpaTone helps my breathing and general stamina/ breathlessness.

I was recently on holiday, did not pack SpaTone, felt a definite decrease in health, but the point is, it was my breathing and airways most specifically which declined.

I'm certain I'm not dreaming this, and though SpaTone costs me around 30p per day it is so much easier and nice to take than tablets, and I can sip it slowly with fruit juice which I just think is nicer than a big thing having to dissolve in the stomach.

No, I don't work for them, but it's seriously good stuff, I always carry a few sachets in my bag, and after only 2 days of having any break from it and then re-starting I'm back to feeling stronger and on top of the world again.

Apparently iron also helps in calcium absorbtion, so anyone with calcium deficiency or bone problems due to lack of calcium I'm sure could benefit.

Amazingly, I'm not sure the medics know or accept the asthma-iron link, I did find one study on the internet conducted in the U.S. but that was all.

I'd be interested to know if there are other people who like me are certain of a strong correlation. (At least in certain types of asthma).

Maybe some of you sufferers could start your own experiments with SpaTone off other daily iron supplements....and post your conclusions here.

[Karjade]

Thank you for that. I am very much into alternatives and vitamins/minerals as I am allergic to so many drugs from my doctor. I will definitely have a look in Boots.

[Katt-37]

Maybe it's a good idea to get your iron levels checked with the gp before starting this. I for one have asthma and a very healthy iron level. It's a lot of money to pay out if you don't need it. Glad you've found something that you believe in.

[Hidden in reply to Katt-37]

I agree with this completely. I'm asthmatic, but when my iron levels were checked about four years ago they were found to be high; my GP actually asked me what I'd been doing to get them up to that level:-).

[Coastwalker]

Interesting Lynseyinlondon.

Here's my Husbands Asthma and Iron story.

Hubby's has had Asthma since a boy, with several emergencies, last one two years ago was really nasty.

Hubby has had 2 years of breathlessness (different to asthma,) Doctor had done lots of tests for breathlessness, weakened muscles,chronic cramps and tiredness, but had missed out his iron bloods. (Apparently iron bloods are secondary.)

Two members on Health Unlocked helped us, one said check his iron levels as his MCV blood was low, (even though still within range,) another said

Low iron levels = low oxygen = breathlessness.

We bought Hubby a finger prick home blood test kit and a quick result back by email showed he had iron anemia, which was soon sorted by taking some ferrous fumerate (iron pills.)

The breathlessness and difficulty walking long distances and up hill has all gone now.

Because of the Breathlessness, Doctor had doubled his asthma medication of symbicort, ???

Someone on Health Unlocked two years ago had said check Hubby's side effects of his symbicort medication. (He was only on Asthma medication, nothing else.

Chronic cramps, muscle weakness 'WERE' side effects and on one American site it said to only take Symbicort for a short while, he had been on it for years.

Hubby has also for a long while been taking vitamin D3 + K2 and vitamin A

(D3 + K2 are known to help lungs as they are both anti inflamatory and vitamin A is said to help build new air sacs in the lungs.)

Hubby came off his asthma inhalers (a stupid thing for anyone to do, supposedly,) and has not needed both the preventer (Symbicort) or the rescue inhaler either, now for around 3 months he feels he doesn't actually have asthma which is very odd, but we will worry if he gets a chest infection as that is what seemed to set the Asthma attacks off each time.

Doctor was sending him to see a Cardio for his breathlessness, also X ray and ECG were done. Also prescribed him Angina spray for Angina thinking the breathlessness might be angina and prescribed a statin for his high cholesterol and aspirin. Needless to say he did not collect his prescription.

Hubby off of all medication and all the above symptoms have gone, all thanks to members on Health Unlocked helping us.

HU is a Brilliant website, we would both be quite ill by now if we had not come across HU, Lynseyinlondon.

[Ummnoor5]

Thankyou for your post and the comments. I seem to improve most by taking magnesium regularly but I think iron may also be a factor. The other day I felt when doing exercise that my heart had to pump very hard just to get enough oxygen to my muscles, without being in the midst of an asthma attack. I wondered why that was. Was it due to my low fitness level or possibly low iron. I am taking supplements but no higher than daily recommended level. Maybe I need a little more. I don't feel dizzy so might just be a little low. I think doctors only pick up very low iron levels and I am not sure a standard amount we are supposed to have would be enough for all people as we come in all shapes and sizes with varied hormone levels and sensitivities, and needs.

[Coastwalker in reply to Ummnoor5]

Look into taking a high, but safe dose of vitamin 5000iu vitamin D3 + vitamin K2, maybe ? in winter my husbands asthma symptoms came back and we worked out he needed double the dose to keep the asthma at bay. Good you are taking magnesium as that helps to utalize your stored vitamin D. Do hope you have not been put on a statin ? Just a thought. ?

[Ummnoor5]

I hardly ever consult my Doctor or nurses any more except to ask for diagnosis. Last time they gave me a preventer that has to always be in your blood but I did not use it as I do not want to be hooked on symptom suppressing drugs which over time have some negative side effects, I want to get to the root of the problem and it contained 13% alcohol and I am trying my best to be a practising Muslim! No statins prescribed as I have not mentioned to the Dr anything regarding my heart!

So yes 5000iu of vitamin D and Magnesium glycine chelate, magnesium rich baths and air, K2, high dose of Vitamin C and a bit more Iron are what I am currently prescribing myself- unfortunately I have to also pay for it all myself to but very unlikely to get any subsidies from the NHS!