Role of Nutrition in Environmental Lung Disease

Abstract

Lung diseases represent a major burden in morbidity and mortality. Diet has generated growing interest because of its potential impact in the genesis and evolution of these diseases by modulating the effect of environmental exposure. This article examines the relationships between dietary factors, including minerals, antioxidant vitamins, and omega -3 and -6 fatty acids, and environmental lung diseases. The potential mechanisms by which dietary factors may affect respiratory health are reviewed, and epidemiological evidence for the link between diet and asthma, chronic obstructive airways disease, and lung cancer is discussed. At present, most of the available evidence for nonmalignant lung diseases comes from cross-sectional studies and suggests a beneficial impact of antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamin C and to a lesser extent vitamin E, on lung diseases. Prospective and retrospective studies have reported a lower risk of lung cancer among populations with high levels of fruit or vegetable, or both, consumption. There is a need for further research in experimental and epidemiological settings to better understand the pathophysiological effects of antioxidant vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients on lung tissues.

Key Words:

Lung disease - diet - environment