How nutrition affects breathing
Jennifer Szakaly, MA, CMC, NMG
Founder & CEO | Nationally Certified Care Manager | National Master Guardian | Goldman Sachs 10KSB alum
Food and oxygen are the basic fuels that we need for the cells of our body to do their jobs. People with COPD have to expend more energy breathing. Because their exhales are not always efficient, they tend to develop high levels of carbon dioxide. Not good.
Fortunately, there are food choices that can reduce the problem and provide maximum efficiency for breathing. Check these out:
Foods to limit
Foods to eat
People with COPD need more protein and calories to build up the muscle of the diaphragm and to provide fuel for the extra effort they have to expend to exhale effectively. Carbohydrates provide calories, but have the side effect of increased carbon dioxide. A focus on healthy fats and proteins is the best way to help your loved one keep carbon dioxide low and calories sufficient for the extra work of breathing.??
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When to eat
As always, check with a doctor or dietitian to determine the diet that is right for your loved one.
Does your loved one have COPD?
This is a difficult disease. As the Charlotte Metro and Lake Norman experts in family caregiving, we at Caregiving Corner can help you create strategies to deal with the stress of the respiratory flares that come with this lung condition. Give us a call at 704.945.7170.
America's Chief Elder Officer | CEO at CareYaya Health Technologies | Co-Founder of Counterforce Health | CY Multiscale AI
1 年Fascinating! I’d never thought of the connection between food/nutrition and breathing esp for COPD. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer! ??