Can Vitamins Help Treat COPD?
Vitamins for COPD can help in supporting the overall health of those suffering from this progressive and debilitating disease. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease obstructs the flow of air to the lungs, developing slowly over decades until inflammation and excess mucus begin to constrict the airways.
How Vitamins for COPD Can Help
Nutritional therapy is often recommended in conjunction with traditional medical treatments to aid in the general health of COPD sufferers and ease the severity of some of its symptoms.
Since COPD is an inflammatory disease, high doses of high doses of natural anti-inflammatories can aid in reducing airway constriction. Among the vitamins and supplements that can help reduce inflammation are Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that can also aid in oxygen transfer and in reducing mucus production. Vitamins like folic acid and other B vitamins, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Often, nutrition suffers in COPD patients, as shortness of breath can make food intake difficult. Malnutrition frequently becomes an issue, weakening the body and producing more severe symptoms.
Deterioration of the immune system is a frequent companion of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, leaving the sufferer vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, respiratory infections, and pneumonia. Among the vitamins and minerals that are helpful in supporting the immune system are A vitamins, B vitamins, Vitamin C, and zinc.
Antioxidant levels are often found to be substantially reduced in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, decreasing protection against cell deterioration. Increasing the intake of antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E can help.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients use a great deal of energy just in the simple task of breathing. Increasing the intake of healthy fats, such as olive oil, and increasing protein in the diet can prevent excess weight loss and assist in maintaining overall health.
COPD: Beneficial Foods
Boosting the intake of these vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can be helpful in the health of COPD sufferers is best done by means of natural food sources. Those with COPD who find eating well difficult due to breathing issues my find that changing the daily meal routine from three larger meals a day to half a dozen smaller ones makes it easier to consume an an adequate amount of food for health maintenance.
The natural anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 fatty acids can be had by adding foods like fish, walnuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds to the diet. Rich sources of folic acid and other B vitamins are whole grains, beans, liver, dairy products, and leafy, dark green vegetables. Also, many bread and cereal products are fortified with B vitamins, and the yeast that many of these foods contain is a rich natural source of folic acid.
Fruits, including citrus, watermelon, cranberries, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, and guava are rich sources of vitamin C, as are vegetables such as mustard greens, broccoli, red bell peppers, cauliflower, and many others. Vitamin D can be gained by increasing one's intake of dairy products, or by including fish products like sardines, mackerel , and tuna in the diet. Vitamin E rich foods are vegetable oils, nuts, meats, eggs, poultry, legumes, blueberries, and broccoli. Of course, if augmenting nutrition with these foods is beyond the capacity of a person with COPD, supplements can be a good secondary option.
While vitamins for COPD can be of great support and benefit, it is essential to remember that they do not eliminate the need for traditional breathing treatments and medications. However, nutritional therapy has shown great promise in alleviating the intensity of symptoms in those who suffer from this debilitating disease when used in cooperation with pulmonary treatments prescribed by physicians.
