Getting asthma from breast-feeding unlikely

Dear Dr. Donya,

I have three kids and the youngest one is two-months old. I read you article in the newspaper and was really impressed.

I have a history of asthma and I do not want my kids to have it. I breast feed all my children until they are nine-months old. Will they still get asthma from me?

One more question. My husband has cholesterol and I would like to know whether the so-called "no cholesterol oils" are really safe, or just fake. If it is fake, which oils are safe to be used when cooking? I will be happy if you could reply to me.

-- Angie

Dear Angie,

Breast-feeding has been proven to prevent allergic disease in children. Asthma can develop at any age. If you are younger than age 30, asthma is probably triggered by allergies. No one knows why one person's airway is more sensitive than another, but you are more likely to develop asthma if asthma runs in the family.

Other risk factors are low birth weight or living in the inner city, which increases exposure to many environmental pollutants. For older adults, respiratory allergies are not the major cause but exposure to any irritant, from viruses, cigarettes, cold air and even emotional stress, can trigger asthma.

In most cases, asthma is the combination of allergic and non- allergic responses. That means your children will not get asthma from you because you breast-feed them.

And about the cholesterol, I hope you will find my article helpful.

-- Dr. Donya