Asthma: Changing the Strategy!

​Asthma is a part of my personal reality. For the past 20 years I’ve been dedicated to keeping a strong attitude and body so as to require the use of inhalers as little as possible, and this has worked pretty well. My main issue that wasn’t working was when I was indoors with any cat. This was always a deal changer.  Inhaler would be a must, and exiting the area would be a requirement because pretty soon the inhaler would cease to have its effect.
 However, for the past five years, even around cats, I’ve hardly noticed my asthma!  Heck, I’ve been living with a cat for three! I had a really winning formula going there for a while. With regular cardio exercise plus the elimination of wheat, and then eventually all grains, a HUGE difference was seen in my asthmatic and allergy symptoms.  Then when I included garlic, avocado, walnuts and spirulina into my daily diet, that clinched it!!  I wasn’t thinking about whether I would need my inhaler or not.  It was all so good. 
 Menopause makes its entrance! So now a new phenomenon occurs.  Just as my menopausal symptom (hot flashes) has started to rear its ugly head, my asthmatic symptoms have returned!  I admit, I’ve felt a bit betrayed here, but what can you do but deal with it.  So first I think!  Well, I surmise that it’s all the new hormonal activity that must be occurring within. Vulnerable body systems, too, are usually the first areas affected when your body falls out of balance and my respiratory system would definitely fit that description, so lucky me!!
Based on further reading, and observing how my body reacts to what, here is my evolved approach, and  usually it works!  Here are the critical points:

1. Dairy:  I only eat a couple of slices of cheese in one day.  I make a point not to eat cheese every day.
2. I avoid meat.  I do eat salmon or some other fish once or twice a week.
3. Continue eating garlic, walnuts, avocado, lots of vegetables and a couple of fruits each day.
4. Keep my total sugars down to 45 grams a day!!  ** 
5. I don’t eat any other food past 7:00.

SUGAR is the biggest deal with my asthma symptoms right now.  And yes, I do have to count the sugar in fruit (fructose!).  I did find that a bummer at first, but I’ve gotten used to it, and it is nice to breathe free of medication assistance.  On the positive side, I see fruit as a real treat, and I just have to plan out a bit, what I’m going to eat and when. 
Good news, though!!  With intense exercise, I find I can have 10 more grams of sugar with total safety, which provides the regular motivation that I need to either go to the gym or do my kick boxing or zumba videos at home. 
Despite all this new juggling, I’m grateful!!  I’m breathing, usually with no inhaler, so I’m thankful for that.  I look forward to the time now when I get through an entire day FORGETTING about my breath because no wheezing or heaviness is detected.  It will come, and at least, I know I can TOLERATE being with a cat, even though, at this point, I can’t say I’m thriving.  Anyone want a cat?