COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a group of respiratory conditions that includes asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is characterized by obstruction of the breathing passages, impairing your ability to exhale properly. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD, according to the National Institutes of Health. Recent research has revealed a potential link between dietary fiber and the prevention and progression of COPD.
All Fiber Sources
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health found all sources of fiber effective at fending off COPD. Participants with the highest 20 percent of total fiber intake showed higher values in four parameters of respiratory capacity. The study, published in the March 2008 issue of the "American Journal of Epidemiology," included nearly 11,900 men and women. Researchers noted that the study was the first to establish a connection between dietary fiber and lung function.
Cereal Fiber
High fiber intake was associated with lower risk for COPD among participants in the Nurses' Health Study, according to a report published in the April 2010 issue of the "American Journal of Epidemiology." Of 832 cases of COPD, fiber consumption remained a significant protective factor after age, sex, smoking, caloric intake, physical activity level and other potential confounding factors were accounted for. Researchers identified cereal fiber intake as possibly being more protective than fruit and vegetable fiber at preventing COPD.
Fruits, Grains and Alcohol
The combination of fruits, whole grains and moderate alcohol consumption result in an additive beneficial effect at decreasing COPD risk, according to a Dutch Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology study. Fruits, at greater than 180 g per day, and whole grains, at greater than 45 g per day, showed independent benefits. Low-level alcohol consumption of 1 g to 30 g per day increased forced expiration volume -- a measure of the ability to exhale fully. The effects of the three together produced 139 mL more forced air volume than in participants with unfavorable intakes of fruits, whole grains and alcohol. Fish and vegetable intake did not show beneficial effects on lung capacity in this study.
Considerations
Discomfort may cause some COPD patients to find it difficult to eat the 20 g to 35 g of fiber per day necessary for optimal health, according to Kevin Felner, M.D., Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease Specialist at the New York University School of Medicine and author of the book "COPD for Dummies." Discomfort from the condition and difficulty breathing when your stomach is full may be discouraging. Instead, a fiber supplement may be advisable, on your doctor's recommendation.
References
- "American Journal of Epidemiology";Prospective Study of Dietary Fiber and Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Us Women and Men; R. Varraso et al.; April 2010
- "American Journal of Epidemiology"; Dietary Fiber, Lung Function, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study; H.Kan et al.; March 2008
- "Clinical and Experimental Allergy"; Diet and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Independent Beneficial Effects of Fruits, Whole Grains, and Alcohol (The Morgen Study); C.Tabak, et al.; May 2001
- "COPD For Dummies"; Kevin Felner; 2008
- MayoClinic.com: COPD
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: What is COPD?
Member Comments