What Is A Healthy Diet That Controls Lung Fluid?

Excess lung fluid can be caused by a variety of things. The common cold, for instance, can progress into an infection of the respiratory tract and result in increased congestion in the lungs. Pleurisy is characterized by an inflamed pleura, the two-layer membrane that envelops the lungs, making breathing difficult. Pleural effusion, also known as "water on the lungs," means that fluid has leaked into the layers between the pleura. In addition to medical intervention, which may include corrective surgery, adhering to a healthy diet may help to control lung fluid.

Variety Matters

A healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods each day will enhance your body's ability to resist disease. Even if your physician has prescribed a round of antibiotics to prevent an infection from taking hold, your immune system requires adequate nutrition to function properly in the long-term. One way to make variety count without much effort is to eat "by color." Select a variety of red, green, yellow and purple fruits, berries and vegetables to ensure a healthy dose of plant flavonoids and antioxidants in your diet.

Fluids

Drinking lots of liquids every day helps to keep your air passages hydrated and helps your lungs to eliminate bacteria, waste products and toxins. Try to aim for 64 oz. of water each day. That might sound like a lot, but it's actually only 8 servings of 1 cup of water each.

Modified Fats

According to a study published in the June 2000 issue of "Nutrition in Clinical Practice," Nicole Celona-Jacobs and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center evaluated the effects of a modified diet in a 28-year-old woman suffering recurring episodes of pleural effusions due to a rare congenital lymphatic system disorder. The woman was treated with a very low-fat diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, obtained from linoleic essential fatty acid. The significance of this is that people with malabsorption issues due to congenital defects can more readily absorb MCTs in the intestines for distribution through the lymphatic system than they can absorb long-chain fatty acids. At the time this study was published, the woman experienced 24 months without requiring a pleural tap to remove excess fluid as a result of this diet therapy. Good sources of MCTs include nut and seed oils, such as coconut and palm kernel oils.

Foods to Avoid

One cause of fluid buildup in the lungs is pulmonary edema, a serious condition that can trigger a heart attack. If you have a personal or family history of heart disease or high blood pressure, you should limit your salt intake as well as dietary fats. In addition, the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine recommends avoiding highly processed foods that typically contain high amounts of both, such as bacon, potato chips, chocolate and canned meats, vegetables and soups.

Herbs

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, certain herbs may help to support lymphatic drainage and reduce lung fluid. Red clover, for instance, is traditionally used to decrease congestion. The "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines" says that goldenseal is another herb traditionally used to counter increased mucous secretions due to allergies and infections of the respiratory tract or sinuses.

However, there are potential side effects associated with these herbs. Red clover contains estrogenic compounds and should not be used by women who are pregnant, nursing or undergoing treatment for a hormone-related cancer. Goldenseal diminishes the effectiveness of tetracycline antibiotics. Both red clover and goldenseal increase the effects of blood-thinning medications and the risk of bleeding. Check with your doctor before self-treating your condition with any herb, especially if you are taking other medications.