Struggling with asthma and wheezing? Your poor food habits could be the culprit

TThe relationship between respiratory health and nutrition is rarely discussed. When it comes to lung health, smoking, pollution, microbial infections, the common cold, and occupational exposure to dust particles are major concerns. For healthy respiratory systems, we require a diet high in powerful nutrients. In fact, recent evidence shows that a nutritious diet has an important influence in mitigating risk factors associated with the onset and progression of critical lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD and asthma. statistics from the World Health Organization show that COPD caused 3.23 million deaths in 2019, making it the third leading cause of death globally.

Malnutrition, obesity, nutrients, active compounds of plant origin and specific food groups affect the development and progression of respiratory diseases. We discuss the role of nutrition in lung health citing and analyzing cross-sectional, epidemiological and animal model studies.

Also read: Not only sugar and lack of exercise, but also salt and dehydration are behind the obesity epidemic

Malnutrition and lung diseases

Malnutrition begins in the womb. A poor respiratory system in a fetus is often a result of maternal malnutrition. COPD patients are often malnourished, and clinical nutrition management is a key component of disease management. Advanced COPD is associated with weight loss, muscle atrophy, and micronutrient deficiency, which together increase the risk of mortality. in a 2013 revision, nutritional supplements and high calorie intake were associated with improved muscle function in malnourished COPD patients. There is not much evidence available to link asthma and malnutrition. a japanese observatory to study found that malnourished individuals had poor asthma control compared to normal participants. Supplementation with branched chain amino acids managed protein malnutrition in COPD and produced positive results such as growth of fat-free muscle mass.

Obesity is linked to asthma

In the USA, 250,000 new cases of asthma are caused annually by obesity. In adults with a healthy weight, the prevalence of asthma is 7.1%, while in obese adults it is 11.1%. What is even more shocking is the association between obese women and asthma: 14.6% of obese women were diagnosed with asthma, while only 7.9% of lean women had it.

There is a strong link between obesity and multiple chronic diseases, including asthma. However, the mechanism that explains this link has not yet been investigated. According to a 2013 to study, obesity alters the mechanical functions of the respiratory system, which could be related to asthma. However, additional body weight and associated complications such as gastroesophageal reflux, shortness of breath during sleep, and low lung volume can worsen asthmatic conditions. based on a questionnaire transversal study involving 1,113 patients with active asthma found that people with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) reported poorer asthma-specific quality of life and asthma control, as well as increased asthma-associated hospitalizations than patients with a normal BMI (<25 kg/m^two). A study explains how Chronic inflamation associated with obesity affects the immune system and causes diseases such as dementia, atherosclerosis, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, asthma, arthritis, gout, fatty liver and sepsis.

Children of obese mothers are more likely to develop asthma. in a to study which involved 1 lakh of pregnant women, maternal weight gain was found to be associated with a 15-30 per cent increased risk of asthma in infants. Childhood and youth obesity have also been bound to wheezing and asthma, which means there is no doubt that obesity and asthma are related. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight at all stages of life is essential to keep the lungs in optimal condition.

Also read: Your food package may be ultra-processed if it has more than 5 ingredients. read the label

Eating habits and respiratory health

Dietary patterns have a significant impact on respiratory health. According to a 2013 review, ensuring a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and childhood can protect against allergic diseases Known as the most nutritious in the world, the Mediterranean diet has been found to protect against allergic respiratory diseases.

Mediterranean cuisine consists of plant foods such as fruits, colorful vegetables, roots, tubers, nuts, beans, seeds, complex carbohydrates, and whole grains.

In the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is the main means of cooking and dressing, which is full of healthy unsaturated fats, especially omega 3. A moderate amount of yogurt, low-fat dairy products, fish and poultry is consumed. Wine and red meat are rare in Mediterranean culture. In terms of nutrition, this diet is very powerful as it is rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, omega-3s, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Among 700 school-age children, a 2011 to study examined the relationship between Mediterranean diet days and childhood asthma. Interestingly, these diet days were found to be inversely related to asthma incidents. Two more studies of 2008 Y 2009 produced similar results. It is known that the consumption of Mediterranean foods during pregnancy to protect against wheezing and allergies in children from 6 and a half years.

In contrast, the ‘Western diet’, which is typically loaded with refined white sugar, vegetable oils, salt, processed meat, trans fats and artificial preservatives, is found to increase the risk of wheezing and asthma in children. A analysis Involving some 54,000 women, it was found that those who ate a high-fat, sugary Western diet had more frequent asthma attacks than those who ate more fruit and vegetables. This dietary pattern has also been bound at high risk of COPD.

Also read: Not only sugar and lack of exercise, but also salt and dehydration are behind the obesity epidemic

Food groups and nutrients that protect the lungs

Fruits and vegetables are always considered the best protective food group. They contain phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect respiratory health. Evidence shows that eating cooked fruits and vegetables can reduce cases of wheezing among children aged 8 to 12 years. in a 2000 prospective cohort to study from United Kingdom, adults who consumed more fruits and vegetables for 3 months had a lower risk of asthma exacerbation. Consumer antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids and carotenoids are beneficial for a growing fetus and adults with COPD. Rachel E. Foong and Graeme R. Zosky to study of 2013 explains how vitamin D deficiency is related to respiratory diseases, although the mechanism is not clear. Vitamin D is essential for optimal immune function.

The role of nutrition in protecting and promoting lung health cannot be underestimated. However, there are hardly any randomized controlled trials examining the association between dietary patterns, food groups, metabolic conditions, and respiratory health. Most references are epidemiological or cross-sectional. To do this, it is important to remember that a balanced diet contributes to general physical well-being, including respiratory health.

Subhasree Ray is a doctoral fellow (ketogenic diet), certified diabetes educator, and clinical and public health nutritionist. She tweets @DrSubhasree. Views are personal.

(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)