I have an inhaler for EIA and get Pursuiter's Cough when I ride really hard in cooler weather. Yesterday I read that taking Omega 3 may reduce symptoms of EIA, as does reducing your salt intake.

I am looking online to find more sources but here's a snippet of one article.


Dietary Supplements
Accumulating evidence suggests that a diet low in salt and high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can reduce the incidence of EIA. Animal studies indicate that salt loads can affect leukotriene release. Many studies show a beneficial effect of a low-salt diet of about 1,500 mg per day, while other authors suggest less than 2,400 mg per day of sodium to reduce the severity of EIA.8,18,19 Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oils. These agents competitively inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism, thereby reducing the generation of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotriene mediators, as well as the inflammatory cell production of cytokines. Therefore, it has been postulated that diets high in fish oils may reduce diseases caused by inflammation, including EIA. To date, clinical data of the short-term use of fish oil supplements for asthma are controversial. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in people with asthma.17,20,21

Evidence suggests that oxidants produced during the inflammatory process may contribute to asthma; thus, antioxidants may be effective in reducing the severity of EIA. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), in doses ranging from 500 to 2,000 mg taken one to two hours before exercise, has been shown to improve EIA to subclinical levels in several clinical trials.22-24 Beta-carotene, dosed at 64 mg daily for one week, and lycopene, dosed at 30 mg daily for one week, have also demonstrated efficacy.25,26

Caffeine causes bronchiolar smooth muscle relaxation and can reduce EIA severity. However, the doses required to achieve this exceed the limits permitted for international competition (<12 mcg/mL in urine) and are likely to result in disqualification from professional athletic events. The doses of caffeine required to show benefit (7 to 10 mg/kg taken 90 minutes to two hours prior to exercise) are also likely to cause significant diuresis.27,28

(That was from:

Management of Exercise-Induced Asthma
Cathy L. Bartels, PharmD, FAAIM
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions,
Omaha, Nebraska

Amy F. Wilson, PharmD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions,
Omaha, Nebraska

US Pharm. 2006;7:42-48. )