Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease encompasses a range of lung conditions, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, which cause significant difficulty breathing and obstructed airways. Mainly triggered by smoking, COPD has no cure and treatment entails managing symptoms and preventing further damage to the lungs. Diet plays an important role in managing this condition on numerous fronts; for this reason, you should consider working with a registered dietitian experienced in treating the condition. This will ensure you follow a diet that maximizes your lung health and prevents malnutrition, a common problem in this patient population.
Importance of Adequate Calories
The extra effort you require to breath causes your body to expend extra energy compared to someone who can breathe normally. Ilaria St. Florian MS, RD, writing in the February 2009 issue of "Today's Dietitian" notes that COPD patients can burn anywhere from 10 to 15 percent more calories just by breathing. Failure to compensate for these extra calories can lead to weight loss that can worsen your prognosis on several fronts including weakening lung muscles and increasing your risk of infections. A registered dietitian can best help you determine your specific caloric needs. Florian recommends that about 20 percent of your calories come from protein as a general rule, but states that exact needs depend on the individual.
Antioxidant Rich Foods
People with COPD often have low levels of several nutrients that contribute to healthy lung function, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. One class of nutrients in particular, antioxidants, are believed to play a particularly prominent role in lung health. Examples include vitamin C and E and selenium. A Greek study published in the October 2010 issue of the "European Respiratory Journal" tracked 120 COPD patients for three years with one group eating a diet high in antioxidant-rich fresh fruits and vegetables and one group eating a diet free of any specific modifications -- throughout the study, the former group maintained a higher intake of antioxidant-rich foods. The researchers found the group eating more fresh fruits and vegetables experienced an overall improvement in lung function and theorize this dietary intervention might offer benefit for managing COPD. To optimize benefit from antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, consume a wide variety from across the color spectrum. This ensures you consume the widest range of these beneficial nutrients.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
The damage to the structures in your lung results from the inflammation triggered by toxins like cigarette smoke. The foods you eat contain substances that can either quell or trigger inflammation; while diet alone cannot combat the inflammatory process, making certain changes can certainly help. Inflammation-causing foods include sugar, refined carbohydrates like white breads and pasta, oils rich in omega-6 fatty acids like corn, safflower and sunflower oil, trans fats and the saturated fats found in animal products. Foods that ease inflammation include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and other fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed. Other good choices include whole grains, legumes and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
Foods that Can Contribute to Breathing Difficulty
You should limit your sodium intake if you have COPD. Excess sodium encourages fluid retention. Excess fluid buildup in the lungs causes further breathing difficulties. The Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding any foods that contain more than 300 mg per serving. The easiest way to reduce salt intake is to focus on fresh, unprocessed foods. Foods that produce bloating in the abdomen, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, fried foods, carbonated drinks, soybeans, onions, shallots, apples, beans and corn, can also make breathing more difficult.
References
- "Today's Dietitian"; Nutrition and COPD - Dietary Considerations for Better Breathing; Ilaria St. Florian, MS, RD; February 2009
- Cleveland Clinic; Nutritional Guidelines for People with COPD
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; Sept. 18, 2009
- "The European Respiratory Journal"; Impact of Dietary Shift to Higher Antioxidant-Rich Foods in COPD: A Randomized Trial; E.Keranis, et al.; October 2010
- The Diet Channel; Anti-Inflammatory Diet;
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