Module 6
Nutrition for Your Chronic Lung Disease
OVERVIEW
Having a healthy diet and being at a healthy weight will help maintain your health, reduce your risk of hospitalization and improve your recovery from infection or exacerbation.
By the end of this module, you will have met the following goals:
Goal 1: Learn about the importance of nutrition when you have chronic lung disease
Goal 2: Learn about nutritional needs specific to your lung disease
Goal 3: Exercise three times this week and continue the home walking program
Goal 4: Take Action to plan for healthy meals and food preparation
Goal 5: Take Action by planning ahead to conserve energy
General Information
Nutrition is the balance between the nutrients and energy that comes from the food we eat and the body’s demand from them to ensure growth, health maintenance and specific functions.
The Canada Food Guide supports a healthy balance of lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
Important things to know to manage your health with your diet:
Nutritional Imbalance: whether overnutrition or undernutrition, imbalance can cause increased fatigue, low mood, increased risk of hospitalization and slow your recovery from illness or flare-up (exacerbation) of your lung disease.
Why weight matters
- Overnutrition - calorie intake in greater than the body's needs - can cause overweight and making it harder for your heart and lungs to supply oxygen to your muscles and organs
- Undernutrition - calorie intake does not meet your body's demands - can lead to unwanted weight loss, putting you at greater risk of illness
- In either case, losing muscle mass weakens the muscles that help with breathing
According to Health Canda, a healthy BMI for adults 20 years and older is between 18.5 and 24.9, while a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.
A low BMI can be unhealthy, especially for older adults. This has led some experts to suggest that the healthiest weight for seniors is one that falls between BMIs 25 and 27, and that should be maintained with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
There are certain risks associated with having a high BMI at any age. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
Extra calories may be needed because you use more energy to breathe, cough, and fight infection.
- Choosing the nutrient rich foods to increase calories makes a difference
- Preventing weight loss as your disease progresses is an important discussion to have with your healthcare team or a registered dietitian. Supplements may be necessary to improve your nutritional wellness.
This module contains disease specific considerations and recommendations. Symptoms of your chronic lung disease can make it difficult to eat which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and unwanted weight loss.
COPD
Diet and Nutrition Concerns with COPD
Undernutrition: is seen in about 30% of persons with advanced lung disease.
Overnutrition: is seen in 65% of persons with mild to moderate COPD. If you carry extra weight around the midline, this limits your diaphragm from moving effectively.
Intervention: Nutritional Therapy Combined with Exercise. Working with a registered dietician can help to determine a plan that is right for you. They may prescribe an appetite stimulant or a high caloric supplement to preserve weight and energy balance.