Sustain Nutrition for the Lungs Amidst the Covid-19 Lockdown Crisis

Details: Category: Region 4a; Published: 30 April 2020

aamm article covid19 Amidst the Covid-19 lockdown crisis, proper nutrition and healthy diet plays a major role in boosting our immune system. However, nutrition for the lungs to keep our respiratory system clean and in good shape is also essential for infection prevention and control.

When we keep our lungs healthy, fresh oxygen is taken into the blood thereby expelling carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular function. The quality of blood and overall health is thereby improved.

Here are some nutritional guidelines for lung nutrition:

Choose Complex Carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates help to improve your energy, metabolism, sleep, brain function and respiratory system functions. These include foods like whole grain bread and pasta as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Include high-fiber foods. Fiber has an anti-inflammatory property. High fiber food includes beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants are also anti-inflammatory. Antioxidants present in fruit and vegetables are beneficial, as they can protect against the damaging effects of free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules produced by activated inflammatory cells that can damage asthmatic airways.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Fish. Many research studies show that omega-3 fatty acids may help the body fight or reduce bacterial lung infections. According to Richard Phipps, Ph.D. professor of Environmental Medicine and director of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (URSMD) Lung Biology and Disease Program, “We never really knew why diets high in omega fatty acids seemed good, but now we know it’s because they provide the precursors for molecules that help shut down excessive inflammation.” Food rich in omega-3 are sardines, wild salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and shrimps.

Deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing engages the parasympathetic nervous system,, relaxing the body and calming the mind and emotions. It can even cleanse the blood and promote positivity.

Do not forget the fluids. Drinking plenty of water is important not only to keep you hydrated, but also to help in thinning the mucus lining in your airway and lungs. It also helps in breathing easier!

In further promoting lung nutrition and protection against Covid-19, NNC Covid-19 Nutrition Advisory No. 10 encourages people during home quarantine to stay active. Individuals who are working from home are reminded to stand and stretch every 30 minutes, and to keep the muscle flexible and the blood circulating.

The advisory also recommends that individuals share in the household chores, not only to help family members in the multiple tasks at home but also to flex the muscles. According to health enthusiasts, sweeping and mopping is a great upper and lower body workout and it can burn almost 200 calories per hour. In social media, such as YouTube and Facebook, there are other ways to burn our calories. We can upload easy exercise videos according to our preference and capability.

Moreover, NNC Covid-19 Nutrition Advisory No.3 supports mothers to continue breastfeeding even if they are already infected with Covid-19. These are the precautions according to WHO: practice respiratory hygiene and wear a mask while breastfeeding; wash hands before and after touching the baby; routinely clean and disinfect surfaces.

If expressing breastmilk with a manual or electric breast pump, make sure to: wash your hands before touching the pump or any bottle parts; and follow recommendations for the proper cleaning/sterilisation of the pump after each use.

If one is too unwell to breastfeed the baby due to COVID-19 or other complications, WHO recommends this: “You should be supported to safely provide your baby with breastmilk in a way possible, available, and acceptable to you. These could include : expressing milk; relactation; and donor human milk.”

Covid 19 and the respiratory system. According to WHO, Covid-19 is part of the coronavirus family, which affects the respiratory system. When the virus gets into your body, it comes in contact with the mucous membranes that line your nose, mouth, and eyes. The virus enters a healthy cell and uses the cell to make new virus. It multiplies, and the new viruses infect nearby cells. It can thus infect the upper or lower part of the respiratory tract.

If the virus travels down the airways, the lining can become irritated and inflamed. In some cases, the infection can reach all the way down into the alveoli. As the infection travels to your respiratory tract, the immune system fights back. The lungs and airways swell and become inflamed. In severe cases, the swelling gets worse and the lungs could be filled with fluids and debris. One can even have a serious case of pneumonia.

WHO and the Department of Health (DOH) Philippines also released other guidelines on the prevention of acquiring and spread of Covid-19. This includes: Stay home as much as possible, keep a safe distance, wash hands often and cover cough and sneeze. For more Covid-19 related updates, kindly check the Department of Health (Philippines) Official Facebook page; and for nutrition updates, you may follow our Facebook page, National Nutrition Council Calabarzon.

By: Alistaire Anne M. Matociños, RND

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