Magnesium also reduces the histamine response, which mediates allergic inflammation. Patients suffering from asthma often have exaggerated histamine release from certain white blood cells, which leads to inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Magnesium helps to dull this response.

Various lifestyle practices contribute to magnesium deficiency, including chronic caffeine and alcohol consumption, dieting and excessive exercise without sufficient magnesium replacement. Use of diuretics or water pills contribute to magnesium depletion. Ironically, studies have shown that asthma bronchodilator medications, such as theophylline and albuterol can cause magnesium wasting, thereby contributing to the worsening asthmatic condition. Magnesium may be given orally or by injection. Some patients because of gut problems develop diarrhea when magnesium is given orally and those patients may need to be given magnesium by injection, until the gut problem is cleared.

The counterpart of the mineral magnesium is the vitamin pyridoxine or vitamin B6. Like magnesium, vitamin B6 is important in stimulating the production of ATP and cyclic AMP, which promote relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, resulting in an increased bronchial diameter. As with magnesium, the bronchodilator medications deplete vitamin B6. So, vitamin B6 should be given along with magnesium, both orally and by injection.

For some asthma patients, sulfites are a major trigger. These patients may be suffering from a relative enzyme deficiency, which results in difficulty oxidizing sulfites to sulfates. Two co-factors that are involved with this oxidation are vitamin B12 and the mineral molybdenum. Sulfite sensitive patients may greatly benefit from oral and injectable supplementation with B12 and molybdenum.

Anti-inflammatory Herbs and Nutrients
Some herbs that are being used by complementary physicians for treating asthma for their anti-inflammatory and/or bronchodilating effects are Gingko Biloba, Coleus Forskholii, MaHuang, Lobelia and Glycyrriza glabra. These herbs are complicated substances containing many compounds. They have multiple effects, which may include anti-inflammatory actions, bronchodilator effects and expectorant properties.

Precursors of the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins are often helpful. These include sources of omega-3 fatty acids, like flaxseed oil and fish oils, and sources of gamma linolenic acid or GLA, like evening primrose oil or borage oil.

Since much of the inflammation is mediated by free radicals, anti-oxidant enzymes vitamins and minerals are useful. These would include vitamins A, C and E, the carotenoids, many bioflavonoids like quercetin, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and N-acetyl cysteine. Again these nutrients may be given orally or by injection. Digestive enzymes may be used as natural, non-toxic anti-inflammatory supplements. Examples are pancreatic enzymes, bromelain, papain and others.

Homeopathic medications which must be prescribed on a highly individualized basis, depending upon the patient’s symptoms and characteristics can be quite effective in the hands of a well trained, experienced homeopath. Some of the most used homeopathic remedies for asthma are arsenicum album, kali carbonica, calcarea carbonica, pulsatilla and sulphur.

Other alternative therapies that may be useful in individual cases of asthma are acupuncture, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, massage and Rolfing.