{"id":1917,"date":"2024-03-31T19:49:29","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T03:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revitalizemetabolichealth.com\/?p=1917"},"modified":"2024-04-28T07:46:10","modified_gmt":"2024-04-28T15:46:10","slug":"can-low-carb-help-lung-disease-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revitalizemetabolichealth.com\/can-low-carb-help-lung-disease-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Low Carb Help Lung Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can Low Carb Help Lung Disease?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The two most common chronic lung diseases are asthma and COPD. It\u2019s estimated that at least 384 million people<\/a> across the globe have COPD and 334 million people<\/a> have asthma. COPD is now the third leading cause of death worldwide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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While smoking is the main cause of COPD in the United States, studies estimate that 24%<\/a> of those with COPD have never smoked. In these cases, the causes for COPD may include occupational exposure and genetic conditions.<\/p>\n

Individuals with asthma and COPD are at risk for acute exacerbations, or flare-ups, of their chronic lung disease. Occasionally these flare-ups are severe enough to require hospitalization. COPD exacerbations, which are most commonly triggered by infection and exposure to irritants, rank among the top reasons for hospitalization<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Asthma occurs in lungs that have a heightened immune response to environmental stimuli leading to inflammation and increased sensitivity of the airway. This inflammation leads to the characteristic \u201cwheeze.\u201d Asthma is typically approached by reducing environmental triggers, using inhaled steroids that treat the inflammation, and inhaled bronchodilators (broncho = airway, dilator = relax) that cause the smooth muscle in the airways to relax.<\/p>\n

COPD or \u201cchronic obstructive airway disease,\u201d is also caused by inflammation in the airways; however, unlike asthma, the obstruction does not resolve completely with bronchodilators. COPD leads to scarring of the small airways and destruction of the alveoli (the small \u201cballoons\u201d where the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide). The treatment of COPD relies heavily on smoking cessation, avoidance of other environmental triggers, and using inhaled steroids as well as bronchodilators.<\/p>\n

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  1. Diet and lung function<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Modern medicine offers us a variety of interventions that target specific disease mechanisms. In the case of lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the primary targets of drugs are inflammation and bronchodilation (relaxing of the airways).<\/p>\n

    Although inflammation is indeed a key player in acute episodes of COPD and asthma, there are other relevant mechanisms current treatments do not target and perhaps many more that we have yet to discover. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    The most beneficial intervention for COPD is to abstain from smoking. Medical therapy with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators is aimed at improving quality of life, as well as reducing exacerbations and hospitalizations; however, it unfortunately does not change the natural course of the disease or prolong survival. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Similarly, asthma is treated mainly with bronchodilators and steroids, and patients are told to control their exposure to allergens or irritants that may worsen asthma symptoms.<\/p>\n

    However, the role of nutrition in managing lung disease has not been well-researched or emphasized in education, despite the fact that these patients face some significant nutritional challenges.<\/p>\n

    For example, one issue for patients with COPD is loss of muscle and fat mass due to a complex process called pulmonary cachexia. (ref<\/a>)\u00a0 Current nutrition guidelines for COPD focus primarily on correcting malnutrition and providing adequate energy intake to prevent weight loss. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Even in the absence of respiratory disease, malnutrition causes decreased respiratory muscle mass and function, a problem with more significant implications in those with chronic lung disease. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, macronutrient advice should be based on a patient\u2019s preference, because there is limited evidence for recommending any specific macronutrient composition. (ref<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Despite a lack of formal recommendations, however, some lung disease specialists (pulmonologists) have recognized the utility of low carb, ketogenic diets in COPD.\u00a0 Dr. Albert Rizzo, MD, the chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, acknowledges the potential benefit of the ketogenic diet in COPD<\/a>, citing anecdotal evidence: \u201cSome notice they can walk faster and climb steps easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Dr. Raymond Casciari, MD, another pulmonologist, states<\/a>: \u201cIf you eat a high-carbohydrate diet and you have COPD, you will wind up more short of breath \u2026 The best kind of diet for a person with COPD is a high-fat, high-protein, low carb eating plan like the keto diet.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In the following sections of this guide, we will explore the mechanisms by which carbohydrate reduction could play a therapeutic role in the treatment of lung disease:<\/p>\n