As of 2010, more than 10 million adults living in the United States suffered from chronic lung disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suboptimal lung function can impact many areas of your life, making talking, exercising and even socializing a challenge. Consuming a healthy diet can improve your overall health, including the health of your lungs. Vitamin D is particularly important for optimal lung function.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that is important for immune functioning and bone health. Vitamin D is often called the "sunshine vitamin" because we make vitamin D from exposure to ultraviolet sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is common in the United States as of 2011, according to the Vitamin D Council. Older adults, those who live in the Northern Hemisphere and people who habitually avoid sunlight are at a high risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Evidence
Low vitamin D levels in the blood may contribute to inadequate lung function, according to a research study published in the December 2005 issue of the medical journal "Chest." In this study, more than 14,000 diverse adults were studied for blood vitamin D levels and the overall functioning of their lungs. They found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D had about 25 percent better functioning lungs when compared with those with the lowest levels of vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels also may contribute to other lung diseases, including asthma and cystic fibrosis, the Vitamin D Council reports.
How it Works
The authors of the "Chest" study note that vitamin D is needed for the formation of healthy soft tissue --a class of tissue important for the lungs. Type III collagen is a particular type of tissue that helps lung cells work. Vitamin D aids in the formation of type III collagen. A review paper from the May 2011 "Advances in Nutrition" journal notes that vitamin D also helps alleviate inflammation. Excessive inflammation in the lungs can inhibit their function.
Considerations
If you're having issues breathing, talk to your doctor about treatment options appropriate for you. The only way to assess your vitamin D status is to undergo a blood test. According to the VItamin D Council, vitamin D levels should be at least 50 ng/mL. In addition to sunlight, sources of vitamin D include mushrooms, fatty fish and supplements.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Vitamin D Council: Am I vitamin D deficient?
- "Chest"; Relationship Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Pulmonary Function in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; P Black et al.; December 2005
- "Advances in Nutrition"; Vitamin D and Chronic Lung Disease: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Studies; J Finkea et al.; May 2011
- Vitamin D Council: Respiratory
