As long as there’s breath in our lungs. Our story is still being written. But smoking and air pollution are the two leading causes of increasing incidence of various lung diseases. Due to the overcrowded environment in the cities, the demand for industries and vehicle transport is also escalating day by day, which leads to air pollution and ultimately spoiling the health of our lungs and leading to various lung diseases. In this article we are going to discuss some of the diet and lifestyle modification which can prevent us from various lung diseases and promote the health of our lungs.
Introduction
Lungs are the pair of air filled spongy organs positioned on the side of the chest. It is part of the respiratory system. Breathing is the major function of lungs. It is defined as the removal of waste gases and passes fresh air into your body. The increased level of pollution in the environment and many other factors causes several types of lung diseases. These diseases may reduce or retard the functions of lungs. A person can enhance the power of the respiratory system by keeping lungs healthy.
By changing certain everyday choices, a person can maintain the health of lungs. Some important lifestyle and diet modification to bring down the risk of lung disease is:
1. Avoid Smoking
All the time lung cancer is the first thought, when we are thinking about lung disease. Smoking is responsible for enhancing the risk of lung cancer. Several other diseases are also caused by Smoking such as, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD), Asthma, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis etc. Thousands of chemicals (Carbon monoxide, tar, nicotine etc.) are inhaled via cigarettes. These toxic chemicals cause injury to the lungs or lung damage. These chemicals can switch normal lung cells to cancer cells. So, to maintain a healthy respiratory system it is essential to avoid smoking.
2. Prevent Respiratory infections
Prevent common colds and respiratory infections by keeping your hands clean. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or alcohol based hand cleaner. People with lung diseases like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are especially at risk of infections. By keeping hands clean, the risk of infection is reduced. Keep away from crowds during the flu and cold season. Fine oral hygiene can also protect you from infection.
3. Exercise
Regular exercise is presumably the most crucial thing to maintain healthy lungs. Exercise on a daily basis may keep your lungs in shape. Exercise increases the heartbeat which also enhances the lungs’ work.
Muscles need more oxygen during exercise, lungs prop-up their activity to carry that oxygen. Aerobic exercise issues the best workout for your lungs. Because the air sacs that are present in lungs work fast to interchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. Everyday exercise protects lungs from several diseases. Some Yoga Asanas are also beneficial to maintain healthy working lungs. All types of Pranayama and Kapalbharti are beneficial for lung health.
4. Minimize the Outdoor Exposure
Countless microbes and pollutants are present in outside air, these pollutants and microbes are responsible to damage the lungs and accelerate aging. Protect your body from second and third hand smoke. Try to reduce the exposure in peak air pollution times. Try not to go outside near heavy traffic this may lead to exhaust.
5. Reduce exposure to indoor pollutants
Sometimes Indoor pollutants also may cause respiratory problems. Some changes for the reduction of indoor pollutants are
- Vacuum the furniture at least once a week.
- Air ventilation is necessary for the movement of fresh air.
- Restrict the use of synthetic air fresheners and candles.
- Make your car and home smoke free.
- While cooking, continuously use an exhaust fan.
6. Deep Breathing
Shallow breath is using a very tiny portion of the lungs whereas; deep breath is beneficial in total oxygen exchange and also clears the lungs. Simple Deep breaths can make the lungs efficient.
7. Always wear a mask
Mask retains the air pollutants and acts like a barrier. Thus it is difficult to enter the pollutants into the lungs. Moist cotton handkerchief is also used instead of a mask.
8. Boost up the immunity
By propping up the level of immunity, a person can reduce the risk of infections. Juice of ginger is also beneficial in the removal of oxidants (blood impurities) because of its antioxidant property.
9. Use of several fruits
Several citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges are beneficial to improve lung function and breathing. Eating Apples on a daily basis also promotes lung function. More than five apples in a week may reduce the risk of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease).
10. Use of tomato and tomato products
Due to the antioxidant property of tomatoes and its products, it is beneficial to maintain a healthy lung. Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant present in tomatoes. It is also used in the reduction of airway inflammation in Asthma.
11. Addition of Blueberries and Red Cabbage in diet
Blueberries are a great source of Anthocyanins, including peonidin, delphinidin, malvidin, cyanidin and petunidin. Anthocyanins are useful in the protection of lung tissue from oxidative damage. Red cabbage is also a rich source of Anthocyanins. Fibers are also present in red cabbage. More fiber intake betters lung function.
12. Root and greens of beetroot
Beet and beet greens are great sources of nitrates. Nitrates are helpful to reduce blood pressure, optimize oxygen uptake and relax blood vessels. Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium and carotenoid antioxidants are present in Beetroot. These all are essential to promote lung health.
13. Utilization of pumpkins
Carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein and beta carotene are present in pumpkin. They all have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Increase in the level of Carotenoids in blood may lead to better lung functions.
14 Use of Turmeric
The main active chemical constituent present in turmeric is Curcumin. It is used to prop-up overall health, especially lung function. It is beneficial to protect lungs from various diseases such as, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allergic asthma.
15. Green Tea
Green tea is a drink that has magnificent effects on health. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) is present in green tea. It has several properties like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties etc. EGCG is mainly beneficial in the treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Conclusion
At last we can say you should make a good choice to prevent the risk of Lung infection. So you should keep yourself healthy by choosing these above mentioned home remedies.
Author Bio – Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD-Ayurvedic Medicine) is an Expert Ayurveda Consultant . He has vast experience of herbs and their applied uses. He has successfully treated numerous patients suffering from various ailments, throughout the world. He is CEO and Founder of Krishna Herbal Company and Planet Ayurveda in Chandigarh, India. He researched age-old formulas from ancient Ayurvedic text books to restore health and save human beings from the worst side-effects of chemical-based treatments.
