Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disease. It causes difficulty in breathing and a range of other symptoms and restriction of airflow, to and from the lungs. Most people who suffer from this condition experience a sensation of not being able to catch their breath or have the energy to move around. It can be challenging, as it impacts and restricts their daily activities.
To help people to get back to favorite activities and also feel better to improve and make breathing easy, natural treatments are the best. Treating COPD with vitamins and antioxidants is an important component.
1. Vitamins
It is important for people with COPD to receive enough vitamins. Though vitamin supplements may help treat COPD, it is best to receive nutrients from natural remedies and balanced food. The following are a few of the vitamins that people with COPD need to know about and consciously increase its intake as food or supplement.
- Vitamin D
This vitamin is stored in the liver and fatty tissues and is fat-soluble. There is no better source of Vitamin D than sunshine. If you are living in areas that have less sunshine or during winter, you can look at food and supplement. In food, Vitamin D is present in natural foods like salmon, mackerel, egg yolks, beef liver, yogurt, milk, and cheese. For people with COPD, vitamin D deficiency is a common issue and the necessity to take this vitamin and its doses would be advised by the doctor.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Intake of natural foods like eating oranges and other citrus fruits, dark leafy green vegetables, broccoli, berries, and tomatoes help to increase the intake of vitamin C.
- Vitamin A
This vitamin is yet another fat-soluble vitamin and is very crucial for normal vision and a healthy immune system. Vitamin A is found in foods like salmon and other fatty fish, dairy products, fruits like cantaloupe and mangoes, carrots, squash, broccoli, and green leafy vegetables.
- Vitamin E
Vitamin E boosts the immune system and is good for the blood vessels. It helps protect against cell damage and is also fat-soluble. It is naturally present in vegetable oils, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, fruit, and vegetables.
Doctors might ask some patients to stay away from some food even though it contains the recommended Vitamins, if they have other ailments, supplements are the second-best option. There are several natural remedies that help treat COPD.
2. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are both natural-synthetic substances which help protect cells from free radicals which are highly reactive compounds. Free radicals damage cells and antioxidants prevent damage from them. Oxidation happens in living tissues including the lungs. Oxidants inside the body include free radicals released from the cells and oxidants from outside are cigarette smoke and air pollution.
Most vitamins, herbs, and foods contain antioxidants. Antioxidant-rich foods are a great source to help maintain a healthy diet and boost nutrition naturally. They act as a natural remedy to treat COPD. Some food items that are a great source of antioxidants are as follows:
- Kidney beans, red and black beans, and pinto beans
- Red apples, gala apples
- Blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries
- Plums and black plums
- Cooked russet potatoes
- Artichoke hearts
- Olive oil
- Green tea
- Cherries, carrots, pecan, prunes, ginger, fish
