Asthma sufferers, it’s time to lighten up. Rich, high-fat meals appear to increase airway inflammation, University of Newcastle researchers report. High-fat meals may also inhibit the asthma medication albuterol (Ventolin).

For the study, scientists offered a randomly selected group of asthmatics burgers and hash browns (1,000 calories, 52 percent from fat). The remaining subjects ate a meal containing reduced fat yogurt (200 calories, 13 percent from fat).

Within hours, the fast food group saw a significant increase in markers for inflammation, as well as reduced bronchodilator effect from the drug. Research has previously shown a link between high fat foods to inflammation, This was the first study to look specifically at asthma. The drug effect was a surprise and remains unexplained.

Tags: asthma, high-fat, low-fat, Ventolin