We often hear that we are what we eat when it comes to cardiovascular health. A new study shows that may also be true for people with compromised lung function.
More than 2,000 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were included in the study. There were dietary records for the previous 24 hours and a range of lung function measurements. The investigators found that people who reported eating fish, bananas, cheese or grapefruit during the previous day had less emphysema, better 6-minute walk scores, lower levels of inflammatory markers and improved lung function.
The researchers concluded, “This study demonstrates the nearly immediate effects a healthy diet can have on lung function in in a large and well-characterized population of COPD patients.”
[American Thoracic Society 2014 International Conference, May 21, 2014]
This sounds like a very simple way to tackle a difficult and complex disease. To learn about another approach that can help people with COPD by reducing exacerbations of the disease, you can listen to our interview with pulmonologist Richard Albert, MD.
