Eat Right to Breathe Right, Lung Institute Asks Public to Support Pulmonary Health Through Dietary Changes

Tampa, Florida (PRWEB) October 15, 2013

Supporting lung health isn’t only about avoiding cigarette smoke and other pollutants, it is also about eating the proper foods to keep the body, and the lungs, in working order. This week, Lung Institute supports Healthy Lung Month by providing the public with tips on how simple dietary changes can support pulmonary health.

Many people suffering with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight level. Often, COPD sufferers have difficulty putting on weight because they burn approximately 10 times as many calories just from breathing compared to a healthy person. Adversely, overweight COPD sufferers’ internal organs have to work overtime to produce oxygen. Because of this, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is especially important to lessen the symptoms of lung disease.

This week’s tips:
•Eat Veggies
•Boost Vitamin C
•Drink Water
•Fatty Fish
•Take Notes
•Avoid Gas
•Eat 5 Small Meals a Day
•Eat Slowly
•Control Sodium

This week’s article is listed below and features expert advice from Jamie DiLorenzo, Lung Institute’s Physician Assistant. Over the last 10 years, DiLorenzo has been helping a number of patients as a Registered Nurse Practitioner. At the Lung Institute, DiLorenzo provides direct patient assessment and manages all patient care protocols.

Stay tuned, each week in October, the medical staff at Lung Institute, is offering free pulmonary health advice to the public.

About Lung Institute

At Lung Institute (LI), we are changing the lives of hundreds of people across the nation through the innovative technology of regenerative medicine. We are committed to providing patients a more effective way to address pulmonary conditions and improve quality of life. Our physicians, through their designated practices, have gained worldwide recognition for the successful application of revolutionary minimally invasive stem cell therapies. With over a century of combined medical experience, our doctors have established a patient experience designed with the highest concern for patient safety and quality of care. Visit our website at LungInstitute.com or call us today at 1-855-469-5864 for more information.

Eat Right to Breathe Right – Dietary Tips for People with COPD
It is no secret that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes sufferers’ to have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight level. According to the American Lung Association, COPD sufferers burn approximately 10 times as many calories just from breathing compared to a healthy person. On the other end of the spectrum, overweight sufferers’ internal organs have to work overtime to produce oxygen.

Because of this, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is especially important to lessen the symptoms of lung disease. The first step would be to speak with a registered dietician to create a healthy meal plan to combat excessive weight loss, or weight gain. In the meantime, here are some simple steps for eating a diet that supports lung health.

•Eat Veggies: Research suggests that eating an antioxidant-rich diet is good for the lungs. Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale are all good choices.

•Boost Vitamin C: Eating vitamin C abundant foods such as cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwi is proven to support lung function.

•Drink Water: Hydrating the lungs is important to decrease irritation and inflammation, make sure to drink six to eight glasses a day.

•Fatty Fish: The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish are proven to aid pulmonary health. Eat salmon, anchovies, Bluefin tuna, and sardines as a protein item for dinner once or twice a week.

•Take Notes: The three main sources of energy that the body uses come from carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. Each one of these components uses a different amount of oxygen to metabolize and produce carbon dioxide. Carbohydrates use the most oxygen to metabolize, and create the most carbon dioxide. Adversely, fats use the least amount of oxygen, and yield the least carbon dioxide. Because of this, many COPD sufferers benefit from eating a diet lower in carbs and higher in fats.

•Avoid Gas: Know which foods or liquids cause gas? Avoid these substances at all costs. Gas in the intestines pushes on the lungs causing difficulty breathing. If gas is unavoidable, make sure to use a gas limiting supplement such as Beano® with meals.

•Eat 5 Small Meals a Day: Eat five small meals a day. Eating smaller meals spread out across the day will keep energy levels high, and will not cause the diaphragm to push on the lungs due to excess food in the stomach.

•Eat Slowly: Eating meals slowly will cause less oxygen to be swallowed into the stomach, and therefore cause less discomfort.

•Control Sodium: Make sure sodium levels are lowered in the diet. Eating salt causes the body to retain water resulting in difficulty breathing. Use herbs or no-salt alternatives to spice up meals. Make sure to discuss changes like this with your dietician.

•Eat Sitting Up: Eating in bed puts strain on the lungs. Make sure to eat meals sitting up at a table with lots of liquids.

•Exercise: Exercising is especially important for cardiovascular and lung health. Exercise will not only help individuals maintain a healthy weight level, but will also expand their lung capacity.

These simple tips are just a few of the many lifestyle changes that can be done to promote lung health. To learn more about eating for pulmonary wellness, or to speak with a physician contact Lung Institute today by clicking here.