ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

Top 15 Foods for Pulmonary Fibrosis Management

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition that causes scarring and damage to the lung tissue. This makes it difficult for the lungs to function properly and can cause shortness of breath. Other common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include a dry cough that does not go away, fatigue, and unexplainable weight loss. The average survival time once diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis is three to five years, making diagnosing PF very scary.

However, eating certain lung-healthy foods can help improve their quality of life. Here are some foods that can help one manage pulmonary fibrosis better:

Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine and polyphenols, which are anti-inflammatory. Not only does it provide one with a daily energy boost, but it also acts as a vasodilator. Vasodilators open up the blood vessels, which helps reduce the symptoms of chronic lung disease for a short while. According to the FDA, the recommended caffeine intake for healthy adults is 400 mg per day, which equals about four or five cups of coffee.

Whole grains
Whole grains, like brown rice, whole wheat, oats, quinoa, and barley are a rich source of fiber, vitamin E, selenium, and essential fatty acids crucial for lung health. According to certain research, people who eat more fiber have better lung function than those who don’t. This is because fiber-rich foods have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help manage lung damage better.

Berries
Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are packed with powerful antioxidants such as, malvidin, cyanidin, peonidin, delphinidin, and petunidin. They can help reduce the rate of the lung’s functional decline as they prevent oxidative damage.

Dairy
According to certain research, dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt can help reduce lung inflammation. Yogurt especially, is a rich source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and selenium, which can improve lung function and protect against the risk of specific chronic lung ailments. However, if one is asthmatic or dairy intolerant, it is best to avoid these products, as they may cause irritation or excessive mucus production.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the best source of lycopene, which is a carotenoid antioxidant. This is known to positively affect lung health by reducing airway inflammation and boosting lung function among people with chronic lung conditions. It has also been linked to reducing the decline of lung function in younger people so that they can live longer, healthier lives. For optimal lycopene absorption, it is best to cook the tomatoes before consumption.

Beetroots
Beetroots and beet greens contain nitrates, which relax the blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and improve oxygen uptake to boost lung health. They are also a rich source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and carotenoid antioxidants, crucial for preserving lung function over time.

Peppers
Peppers are one of the most potent sources of vitamin C, which acts as a powerful antioxidant and can help reduce oxidative stress on the lungs. Studies have reported that those with a higher vitamin C intake have been found to have better lung function than others. One medium-sized sweet red pepper contains 169 percent of the recommended daily vitamin C intake, making it a great addition to one’s daily food, especially when suffering from pulmonary fibrosis.

Apples
An apple a day can help keep the doctor away, as regular apple intake has been reportedly linked with improved lung function and reduced risk of chronic lung disease. It has also been reported to reduce the risk of asthma and lung cancer, as it contains high doses of flavonoids and vitamin C. It is best to consume them raw, with their skin intact, as the skin is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Pumpkin
Pumpkins are a great source of carotenoids, such as beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These carotenoids have been linked to improved lung function among older and younger individuals alike. Other foods rich in carotenoids include carrots, grapefruit, bell pepper, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Turmeric
Turmeric has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to its main active ingredient, curcumin. This has been linked to improved lung function and reduction of oxidative stress in the body. It can be sprinkled into food or green smoothies for easy consumption.

Green tea
Green tea has a high concentration of catechins such as Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can relieve various inflammatory conditions and inhibit fibrosis or tissue scarring for people with pulmonary fibrosis.

Red cabbage
Red cabbage is an excellent source of anthocyanins, which can help reduce the decline in lung function due to its antioxidant properties. It is also a rich source of fiber, which can further promote lung health.

Olive oil
Olive oil contains antioxidants such as polyphenols and vitamin E, which are anti-inflammatory. These antioxidants have reduced the risk of chronic lung conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium, which can help protect against lung cancer and improve respiratory function. It promotes antioxidant function in the body and boosts the immune system to manage conditions like pulmonary fibrosis. These nuts can contain up to 150 percent of the daily recommended selenium intake, so it is essential to limit oneself to one or two nuts a day.

Anchovies
Anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, and tuna. Higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to improved lung function, especially among people with chronic lung conditions. Vegan sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, edamame, and hemp seeds.

Conclusion
Although these foods cannot cure pulmonary or cystic fibrosis, adding them to one’s daily nutrition plan can supplement their medical treatment and disease management.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.