EFFORT Asthma: Effects of Diet and Exercise in Asthma

EFFORT Asthma: Effects of a High Protein/Low Glycemic Index Diet and Physical Exercise in Sedentary Non-obese Asthmatics.

This project aims to study the effects of lifestyle changes on asthma and systemic inflammation in a randomized clinical trial of diet and exercise. The project is a multidisciplinary collaboration in the areas of medicine, physiology and nutrition, centred on improving asthma control in non-obese sedentary asthmatics via simple means.

After screening and enrollment, a total of 200 Danish sedentary, non-obese asthma patients will be randomized to one of four groups: 1) control group (no intervention), 2) physical exercise intervention, 3) diet intervention (a diet with an overall high content of protein and a low glycemic index) or 4) exercise plus diet intervention.

Asthma is defined as respiratory symptoms and at least one positive asthma test. Patients will continue their regular doses of anti-asthma treatment unchanged throughout the study period. Type of anti-inflammatory medicine will be recorded and the adherence to the therapy will be assessed before the intervention period and at follow-up using questionnaires

Inclusion Criteria:

• >18 years old
• Uncontrolled or partly uncontrolled asthma
• Capable of exercising on bike
• Sedentary (currently do less than 60 min of structured/planned physical activity per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

BMI ≥ 30.0 or <20.5

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pregnancy, other inflammatory or metabolic diseases
• The use of oral anti-inflammatory medication or the use of antibiotic treatment during the last 8 weeks.