Healthy eating could reduce symptoms of asthma

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Arturo Vega, 14, learned to cook when he was only eight.

"I like cooking Bistec and Arroz, like rice and beans," said Arturo.

Today, Arturo is putting those cooking skills to good use; he's recently adopted a healthier lifestyle.

A new study indicates that avoiding certain fatty foods and adding omega 3-fish oils to the diet may help decrease asthma symptoms in kids.

Asthma is the number one reason kids miss school; almost 1 in 11 children in the U.S. struggle with it.

"Perhaps having more of this healthy type of fat that has an anti-inflammatory effect, could actually help treat asthma and treat the inflammation with asthma," said Dr. Jason Lang, a Pulmonary Pediatrician at Nemours Children's Hospital.

Doctors also say overweight asthma patients are at a disadvantage.

"When kids are obese they respond to the normal asthma medicines in a reduced manner," said Dr. Lang.

As part of the study Arturo logs the food he eats, and takes an omega three supplement.

"Since May he doesn't use the medicine for the asthma," said Tamaris Cruz, Arturo's mother.

Dr. Lang is in the process of extending the study through May 2016, and participants are required to make four to five in person clinic visits.

Arturo says he hasn't had an asthma attack since he started the study, and he has more energy.

He's hoping to use his experience, and his passion for cooking, to become a future healthy celebrity chef.