Are There Any Vitamins Or Minerals That Are Good For Lung Function?

Nearly 15 million adults are diagnosed with emphysema or chronic bronchitis every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Consuming a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and maintaining a normal body weight helps preserve or improve lung function, reducing the likelihood of developing common lung diseases like emphysema. Additionally, consuming certain vitamins and minerals can promote healthy lung function.

Vitamin C

Even though you can't feel it, your lungs are under a near-constant attack from dangerous compounds known as free radicals. Free radicals are deformed molecules that ambush healthy cells. Breathing in environmental contaminants or tobacco smoke increases the activity of free radicals in your lungs. Vitamin C targets and destroys free radicals. Vitamin C-rich foods include limes, oranges, broccoli, bananas, mangoes and spinach.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D isn't only important for skeletal health. Vitamin D regulates the immune system and reduces inflammation. Being deficient in vitamin D impairs lung function, the February 2011 "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reports. In this research, those deficient in vitamin D had lower overall lung function compared to those with adequate vitamin D levels. In addition to sunlight sources of vitamin D include fortified dairy products, fatty fish and mushrooms.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that's crucial for lung function, the February 2001 "Epidemiological Reviews" states. The study authors note that magnesium naturally relaxes lung tissue and promotes dilation, helping airways open naturally. Healthy sources of magnesium include peanuts, corn, rice, fatty fish and low-fat dairy, black beans and whole grains.

Selenium

Like vitamin C, selenium is a potent free-radical destroyer. However, selenium goes one step further by repairing damaged lung DNA. Damaged DNA promotes the formation of precancerous cells. Additionally, selenium acts as a detoxifier in the lungs, reducing the impact of inhaled metals, an "Epidemiological Reviews" paper states. You can get selenium from fresh vegetables, low-fat chicken and seafood.