Nutrition for Lung Health and COPD.
Nutrition for Lung Health and COPD
The foods we eat affect all aspects of our health, even lung health. An unhealthy diet can increase your symptoms if you have lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Metabolism is the body’s process of converting food into energy. Oxygen is used to start the process, and carbon dioxide is released when metabolism is finished. Your lungs are responsible for breathing in the oxygen needed, then breathing out the carbon dioxide.
People living with lung diseases such as COPD have a hard time breathing out carbon dioxide. Eating foods that produce a lot of carbon dioxide during metabolism. Especially simple carbohydrates makes it harder for someone with COPD to breathe. Problems with metabolism can also lead to more health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Foods also have an effect on inflammation. Which plays a major role in COPD. An anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce inflammation and improve lung function.
Which Foods Are Best for Lung Health?
A well-balanced diet of the right mix of healthy foods can help
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve lung function
- Maintain energy levels
- Lower the risk of other health problems
Next time you head to the grocery store. Consider choosing foods with more of these lung-friendly nutrients:
- Complex carbohydrates. Also called “starchy” foods, complex carbohydrates release their energy slowly. It is best to limit yourself to complex carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables. If you are trying to lose weight. If you are trying to เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา gain weight, add more complex carbohydrates like 100% whole-grain varieties of bread and pasta, oats, and quinoa.
- Fiber. Dietary fiber is associated with better lung function and reduced respiratory symptoms. That people with COPD try to consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day. Good sources of dietary fiber include whole grains and legumes such as peas, beans and lentils.
- Protein. Healthy sources of protein include eggs, fish, dairy products, lean meat, nuts and beans.
Foods to Avoid
For better lung health, it is best to limit your intake of some foods, including
- Processed foods. Some processed foods can fit into a healthy diet. Dairy foods such as low-fat milk, whole grain products, and vegetables and fruits that have been washed, precut, frozen, dried or dehydrated have all been minimally processed. In contrast, highly processed foods are often packed with sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients and chemicals. This category includes boxed and frozen meals, packaged snacks, sweet drinks and meat products such as hot dogs.
- Salt. Salt causes fluid retention. This fluid can build up in the lungs and make breathing difficult. Some surprisingly salty foods include bread, pizza, canned soup and lunch meats. Consider switching to low-sodium versions of these foods or avoid them altogether.
- Saturated fats. The “bad for you” fats tend to be solid at room temperature. Examples include cooking fats like butter, shortening, lard, coconut oil and palm oil. Foods with saturated fat include fatty meats like beef and pork.