Medical Health Encyclopedia

Fruits,Vegetables, and Whole Grains. Healthy foods are important for lung function as they are for health in general. Specific foods that may be important for healthy lungs are those that contain antioxidants (best obtained from fresh, deep green and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables}, selenium (fish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken, liver, garlic), plant chemicals called flavonoids (apples, onions), and magnesium (green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, milk, and meats). It should be noted, however, that studies on general eating habits rarely provide hard evidence.

Fish Oil. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold water oily fish and in supplements (preferably DHA-EPA, which are the important compounds in fish oil) have anti-inflammatory effects. Some weak evidence suggests that fish oil may be helpful for people with COLD.

Alcohol and Red Wine. Some evidence suggests that resveratrol (a chemical found in red wine, grapes, olive oil) may have various health benefits, including possible protection of the lungs. In people who are not at risk for abuse, moderate intake of wine may be healthful, although there is no evidence that wine itself improves lung function, and high amounts can impair the immune system. Women who are pregnant or at high risk for breast cancer, people who can't drink moderately, and people with liver disease should avoid alcohol.

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Dietary Supplements. Some studies report benefits for COLD patients who took supplements of N-acetyl-cysteine, a powerful antioxidant that is a form of cysteine-a common amino acid in the body. Other antioxidants being studies include L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10. Evidence of benefit is weak, however, for all these chemicals.

No vitamin or mineral supplements have been proven to improve lung function. The trace elements zinc and selenium may have some effect in reducing the severity of upper respiratory tract infections, but they should be obtained in food. One study found protection from diets rich in vitamin C, but other specific antioxidants, including vitamins E, A, and beta carotene, had no effect. Furthermore, there is some evidence exists that high doses of anti-oxidant vitamin supplements can be harmful. In fact, a surprising study in 2002 reported a higher incidence and greater severity of respiratory infections in older adults who took 200 mg of vitamin E daily. Beta carotene supplements, in any case, are not recommended because of studies suggesting an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers.

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