Home : health : 4 Foods To Omit For Healthy Lungs

4 foods to omit for healthy lungs

4 foods to omit for healthy lungs

Lungs are responsible for delivering oxygen to the body and protecting the airways from irritants. One’s eating habits and lifestyle play an important role in maintaining lung health. For strong lungs, it is necessary to expose oneself to fresh, pollution-free air and choose nutrient-rich foods that boost energy and health. The absence of either can lead to impaired lung functionality and problems like asthma. Here are four foods to avoid for optimal lung health:

Sugary foods
Refined sugar is usually added to foods for preservation and taste enhancement. Excessive amounts of this ingredient can be found in sweetened drinks, syrups, cakes, donuts, cereals, flavored yogurt, granola, chocolates, and candies. Studies show that those who regularly opt for sugary foods and drinks have a high chance of developing bronchitis. Excessive intake of refined sugar also increases the fat content in the body and eventually puts pressure on the lungs and heart, leading to impaired functioning of the organs.

Carbonated beverages
Similar to refined sugar, carbonated beverages tend to put undue pressure on one’s lungs. These drinks have no nutrients and contain empty calories, carbon dioxide, and sugar. According to the American Lung Association, these drinks can generate gas, which can impede breathing, tighten the chest, or trigger asthma flare-ups. Carbonated beverages contain trans fats and lead to bloating and stomach aches. These foods are especially harmful to those with lung diseases.

Processed meat
Processed meats include sausage, deli meat, ham, hot dogs, bacon, and ham. Numerous studies show that the nitrites used in curing and preserving meats can exert stress on the lungs and lead to inflammation. Additionally, daily consumption of processed meat can increase one’s risk of developing and aggravating illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. COPD refers to lung conditions that block airflow and make breathing difficult. Processed meats also contain high levels of sodium for preservation and flavor. This can lead to water retention and make one susceptible to bronchitis and asthma. So, it is best to avoid packaged and processed foods. Those who experience COPD flare-ups due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema can opt for the Spiriva Respimat COPD inhaler after consulting a doctor. The Spiriva Respimat inhaler relaxes one’s airways, keeps them open, and helps better one’s breathing.

Fried foods
Oily foods contain high levels of trans fats and are best avoided for one’s overall health. Foods like fries and chicken wings can add to the saturated fat content in the body and cause indigestion, bloating issues, stomach gas, and even breathing troubles. Fried foods are also linked to episodes of asthma, COPD, and other complex lung health concerns. One can substitute fried foods with baked or air-fried versions to limit oil.

One should also limit foods that cause gas and bloating, including beans, garlic, and onion. Those affected by asthma or other lung diseases can further avoid dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to cut down on mucus production. One should consult a doctor and get a customized plan if affected by breathing-related issues.

Those diagnosed with MAC lung disease may require treatment besides nutritional changes. MAC lung disease is a type of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection caused by the mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteria. Treatments for this condition depend on the severity of the symptoms. MAC bacteria typically reside in soil and water and are more likely to affect those with immuno-compromised systems. Those at risk should eat healthy foods, wear a dust mask, follow an aggressive airway clearance regimen, and avoid hot tubs and saunas.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.
5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.
Four important steps in anemia management

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.