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Reducing COPD The large prospective cohort study used data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and examined the relative risk of COPD amongst men consuming a Mediterranean-style diet or a Western-style diet, rich in refined grains, cured and red meats, fries and desserts. Writing in the journal Thorax, lead author Raphaelle Varraso states that dietary patterns similar to the Med diet were associated with a significant decrease in COPD risk, while dietary patterns similar to the Western style were associated with a significant increase in newly diagnosed COPD. The Med diet, rich in cereals, wine, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains, fish and olive oil, has been linked to longer life, less heart disease, and protection against some cancers. The diet's main nutritional components include beta-carotene, vitamin C, tocopherols, polyphenols, and essential minerals.It is these antioxidants and polyphenols that appear to offer protection, wrote the researchers in the British Medical Journal Thorax. Greater adherence to the Med diet was associated with a 50 per cent reduction in COPD risk, comparing those with the greater to lowest adherence. On the other hand, the Western pattern was associated with a 356 per cent increase in the risk of newly diagnosed COPD. "The Western diet is highly loaded with by processed meats, one of the most important compounds of which is nitrite," said the researchers. "Nitrites generate reactive nitrogen species which provoke nitorsative stress; this may contribute to the progressive deterioration in pulmonary function." "In men, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish may reduce risk of COPD, whereas a diet rich in refined grains, cured and red meats, desserts and French fries may increase risk of COPD," they concluded. Source: Thorax (British Medical Journal) "Prospective study of dietary patterns and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among US men"Authors: R. Varraso, T.T. Fung, F.B. Hu, W. Willett, C.A. Camargo |