PEOPLE fighting for breath because of asthma may be suffering needlessly, researchers in York have said.

Scientists at York Nutritional Laboratory, in Osbaldwick, say their latest research shows asthma sufferers are reacting to many of the most commonly eaten foods while some doctors and researchers only suspect food is playing a part in the growth in asthma cases.

In a recent study, more than three-quarters of the 208 asthma sufferers and people with other respiratory problems researched by the laboratory reported their condition had improved after taking particular foods out of their diets.

All the asthma sufferers studied took a food intolerance test to identify which foods they reacted to.

After the offending foods were taken out of their diets, 72 per cent of those tested said they felt the benefit within 60 days. For seven years, 15-year-old Gareth Evans, from Hull, puffed away at his inhaler but tried not to let his asthma interfere with his love of sport.

He played hockey and rugby to county level and longed to go scuba diving, though asthma prevented him.

His food intolerance test found eggs caused a reaction. Once he cut them out he was able to go diving without any worries over his breathing.

Mother-of-two Anna Morgan, from Hampshire, developed asthma at the age of 30. A food intolerance test showed she reacted to tomatoes and cola.

Since she cut them out of her diet, her breathing problems have disappeared.

John Graham, managing director of York Nutritional Laboratory, said: "A simple food intolerance test has been able to help 77 per cent of our patients with respiratory problems already. Therefore, much time, money and effort could be saved if it was only recognised how important foods were with so many chronic illnesses, such as asthma."

It has been estimated that asthma costs the National Health Service around £570 million per year. The National Asthma Campaign estimates the total cost of asthma in the UK, taking into account NHS expenditure, loss of productivity and social security benefits, to be in excess of £1,000 million per year. The UK has the highest rates of asthma in young adults in Europe.