It is no surprise that a well-balanced and nutritional diet is the key to optimum health. Eating the right things help our body develop greater resistance to ward off infections and strengthen our immune system. In fact, it is now accepted that nutrition can also influence the respiratory function, especially in children. Children are more prone to catching a cold, cough, fever or a blocked nose. And in some cases, this can lead to issues like respiratory tract infections.
Acute respiratory infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the children of developing countries. Experts believe the contributing factors to be poor nutrition, lack of immunization, overcrowding and air pollution amongst others. Malnutrition, a sign of lack of sufficient nutrients in the body, is also connected to adversely affect lung function. Malnutrition is reported to be more frequent among children with respiratory infections, with more frequent in children aged <5 years. Therefore, nutrition support is beneficial to help with respiratory health, making breathing easier and even help minimize asthma symptoms in some.
Children who develop inclination towards green vegetables, whole milk, fruits and butter are observed to suffer fewer fevers, and cough and sniff less. They are also less tired and use antibiotics less often. If your child is not getting his/her required amount of nutrients, it can impact the respiratory muscle strength and that nutritional intervention can return muscle ventilatory function to normal levels.
So how does food and eating habits relate to breathing?
Oxygen is important in the process of changing food to fuel in the body and help burn the food’s nutrient molecules. Energy is the final product of sugars, fibers, fats and proteins being broken down.
Different nutrients require different amounts of oxygen and produce different amounts of carbon dioxide. Carbohydrates use more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide, whereas fats produce less carbon dioxide for oxygen consumed. In other words, eating a diet with fewer carbohydrates and more healthy fats can help you breathe easier. The ventilatory function can be influenced by dietary intake of amino acids and glucose.
What can help
Regulating what your child puts in his/her body can help to keep their minds and bodies healthy.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays an important role in boosting metabolism and immune system responses and regulations. Deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to various respiratory infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiolitis and asthma attacks. Pneumonia is a severe form of acute lower respiratory tract infection and is the leading cause of death in children worldwide.
Research shows that supplementation of vitamin D can help with reducing airway inflammation.
Foods that are good source of vitamin D include fortified milk, orange juice, salmon and eggs.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contains a chemical compound known as tocopherol, which may decrease the risk of some asthma symptoms like coughing or wheezing.
Foods that are good source of vitamin E are almonds, hazelnuts, raw seeds, mustard greens, kale, and broccoli.
All things considered, when it comes to your children and their health, it is always recommended to consult a medical professional before making any drastic changes to their diet.
