Five Vitamins that are Good for Lungs Health
As a component of respiratory system, Lungs work nonstop to keep person alive by releasing carbon dioxide and supplying oxygen to the body. whole health can be greatly impacted by compromised lungs, so maintaining their health should be the first focus.
Given the sharp increase in chronic lung diseases in the past few years, it is critical to monitor your lung wellness. Lung health can be harmed by a variety of reasons, including reduced lung function, caused by a number of factors, including smoking, air pollution, pneumonia, and illnesses like COVID-19, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Additionally, lung function may be adversely affected by dietary decisions and deficiencies of certain micronutrients. Hence, certain dietary supplements, like vitamins and minerals, may benefit patients with illnesses that impair lung function.
Hence, taking in enough necessary vitamins can help your lungs stay in better condition and continue to work as intended. Let’ have a look at the five essential vitamins for lung health that we should add to our daily diet.
Essential Vitamins for the Lungs
Vitamins are important micronutrients that the body needs for several crucial functions. In order to maintain lung health and function, a daily diet rich in vitamins is required.
The essential vitamins for lung health include:
1) Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that prevents cellular damage. It is important to keep proper vitamin C levels for healthy lungs, as it possesses anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. A deficiency of vitamin C can have a major impact on the immune system and raise the possibility of respiratory infections. On the other hand, preserving optimal vitamin C levels may help in enhancing lung function and providing defence against lung-related illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For optimum lung health, Citrus fruits such as oranges, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, Brussels, sprouts, and potatoes should be part of your daily diet.
2) Vitamin A aids in the prevention of respiratory illness
Not only is vitamin A beneficial to the eyes, but it also helps to maintain healthy lung function. In particular, vitamin A can sustain the function of mucous membrane cells that shield the lungs from airborne pathogens and promote and restore lung mucosa regeneration. Consequently, those suffering from respiratory issues ought to consume more meals high in vitamin A. One should eat leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomatoes, red bell pepper, cantaloupe, mango, beef liver, fish oils, milk, and eggs for natural vitamin A supplements.
3) Vitamin D supplementation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it lowers the risk of flare-ups. In COPD, even a short exercise makes it difficult for the patient to breathe. However, including vitamin D to the daily diet will improve exercise performance for patients and hence, enhance exercise capacity. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause asthma. For vitamin D, one should get plenty of sunlight, eat cod liver oil and salmon, swordfish, tuna fish, dairy, and plant milk fortified with vitamin D, sardines, and beef liver.
4) Vitamin E to reduce lung inflammation
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps in the management of a chronic lung diseases. Toxins and free radicals damage lung tissues by causing oxidative stress, which is particularly dangerous for people with chronic lung diseases. Include spinach, almonds, and avocado in daily diet for adequate vitamin E.
5) Vitamin B12 beneficial for the respiratory health
A beneficial vitamin for the respiratory system is vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 not only improves the respiratory health but also aids in the production of healthy red blood cells in the body. Anaemia, or low red blood cell count, is caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency and can cause exhaustion and dyspnea, particularly during periods of high activity.
Sufficient blood levels of vitamin B12 have been shown in numerous trials to ameliorate breathing issues and dramatically lower the risk of lung cancer. For adequate vitamin B12, one should eat animal sources like dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, poultry, or food fortified with B12.
Our quality of life has been significantly impacted by lung disorders. To keep the lungs healthy and functioning well, it is necessary to get enough nutrients from the daily diet, especially vitamins. It is also pivotal to learn about maintaining lung health by consuming essential vitamins like vitamin A, C, D, E, and B12. Those who are experiencing symptoms of lungs ailment like tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing should consult their physician or healthcare provider.
If you have any questions related to lung illness or vitamins for lung health, you can check with our pulmonologist at Ask a doctor, 24x7.