Study on the effect of honey on asthmatic children with references to serum levels of copper, zinc and magnesium

ABSTRACT

A total of 50 children were selected [36 children were suffering from bronchial asthma and 14 healthy normal children]. Their ages ranged from 3 to 12 years. Both groups were subjected to adequate history, thorough examinations. The asthmatic children were divided according to the stage of asthma into acute attack [18 cases], on remission [10 cases], those with acute exacerbation receiving honey as adjunct therapy [8 cases]. Serum Cu, Zn and Mg levels were estimated in both controls and asthmatics on different asthma stages. The results revealed hypercupremia during the acute stage of BA [bronchial asthma], returned to normal on remission and during honey therapy, hypozincemia and hypomagnesemia were found during the acute stage of BA and return to normal during remission and on honey therapy. The frequency of asthmatic attacks were reduced by 64-73% after honey therapy for 3 months