A new study found that having a healthy diet could help improve the condition of those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Researchers determined a direct correlation between the consumption of fish, fruit and dairy products and improved lung function in patients with COPD. The study focused on the improvement of the lung function of COPD patients after 24 hours of consuming grapefruit, bananas, fish and cheese.
The study used information from ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints study) that tracks the development of the disease and also identifies biomarkers. The researchers looked at the diet records of 2,167 patients who logged their food intake every 24 hours. The participants shared their dietary information at eight time points in three years.
The researchers then studied the specific standard lung function measurements of the group. They scored the participants according to a six-minute walk test (SMWT), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and inflammatory biomarkers. They also considered other factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and smoking habits.
Their analysis revealed that those who ate fish, grapefruit, bananas, or cheese showed improvement in lung function. They had better six-minute walk scores, SGRQ scores, and reduced inflammatory markers related to poor lung function, such as C-reactive protein and white blood cells.
"Diet is a potentially modifiable risk factor in the development and progression of many diseases, and there is evidence that diet plays a role in both the development and clinical features of COPD," said Corinne Hanson, lead author of the study, in a press release,
"This study demonstrates the nearly immediate effects a healthy diet can have on lung function in a large and well-characterized population of COPD patients. It also demonstrates the potential need for dietary and nutritional counseling in patients who have COPD," she added.
The results of the study were presented at the ATS 2014 International Conference.
