When you think of reducing the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, vitamins probably don't come to mind. Yet research presented in November 2010 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Chest Physicians suggests that COPD is connected to deficiencies in several vitamins -- many of which are anti-oxidants. Getting vitamins through your diet is preferable. Check with your doctor if you are considering supplements to get those vitamins.
Understanding COPD
Having COPD means that airflow in the lungs is inhibited. Although this condition is called one disease, it's actually a group of diseases. Among them are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and obstructive bronchitis. The first two diseases make up the bulk of COPD cases, with smoking being a primary cause of both. Infectious agents, in addition to certain genetic abnormalities, also contribute to the development of COPD. Symptoms vary, but breathing difficulty is a classic sign in emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Vitamin D
Research presented at the American Academy of Chest Physicians' annual meeting revealed that 70 percent of COPD patients had a deficiency in vitamin D. This was associated with reduced lung function in the male study participants. Vitamin D is vital for bone health, because it supports calcium absorption. This has important implications for COPD patients. They are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis due to smoking, certain medications and a lack of physical activity. Another study, published online in January 2009 in the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine," found that vitamin D supplementation could help reduce bone risk in COPD patients.
Vitamin E
Cornell University researchers have found that vitamin E may reduce the risk of developing COPD. Women ages 45 and older who took 600 mg of vitamin E daily had a 10 percent lower risk of developing COPD -- whether they were smokers or not. The findings were published in April 2011 in the journal "Thorax." The vitamin may help prevent damage to lung tissues, although how it does so requires more research.
Other Anti-oxidants
Vitamin E's benefits for the lungs may be tied to its anti-oxidant qualities. Both vitamins A and C are also considered anti-oxidants that reduce cellular damage. Deficiencies in these two vitamins are associated with decreased lung function in men. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that some evidence suggests the vitamin C in fruits may offer protective benefits and support stronger lung function. A study published in April 2011 in the "Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" found that low vitamin A levels are associated with smoking-related emphysema, although this research was conducted on mice. Regardless, getting enough vitamin A is necessary to prevent the COPD complication of bone loss.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Healthfinder.gov; Poor Diet May Make COPD Worse, Study Finds; November 2010
- "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine"; Wim Janssens, et al.; January 2009
- Cornell Chronicle Online; Study: Long-term Use of Vitamin E May Decrease COPD Risk; June 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; Fruits and Vegetables; Jane Higdon, PhD; December 2005
- "Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology"; A Low Vitamin A Status Increases the Susceptibility to Cigarette Smoke-Induced Lung Emphysema in C57BL/6J Mice; S. van Eijl, et al.; April 2011
