Decreased lung function is associated with vitamin D deficiency in apparently health, middle aged Koreans: the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

Current Overview on Therapeutic Potential of Vitamin D in Inflammatory Lung Diseases

Inflammatory lung disorders (ILDs) are one of the world’s major reasons for fatalities and sickness, impacting millions of individuals of all ages and constituting a severe and pervasive health hazard. Asthma, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis acute respiratory distress syndrome, and COPD all include inflammation as a significant component. Microbe invasions, as well as the damage and even death of host cells, can cause and sustain inflammation. To counteract the negative consequences of irritants, the airways are equipped with cellular and host defense immunological systems that block the cellular entrance of these irritants or eliminate them from airway regions by triggering the immune system. Failure to activate the host defense system will trigger chronic inflammatory cataracts, leading to permanent lung damage. This damage makes the lungs more susceptible to various respiratory diseases. There are certain restrictions of the available therapy for lung illnesses. Vitamins are nutritional molecules that are required for optimal health but are not produced by the human body. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D) is classified as a vitamin, although it is a hormone. Vitamin D is thought to perform a function in bone and calcium homeostasis. Recent research has found that vitamin D can perform a variety of cellular processes, including cellular proliferation; differentiation; wound repair; healing; and regulatory systems, such as the immune response, immunological, and inflammation. The actions of vitamin D on inflammatory cells are dissected in this review, as well as their clinical significance in respiratory illnesses.

Nutrition as a modifiable factor in the onset and progression of pulmonary function impairment in COPD: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. An increasing amount of evidence suggests an effect of dietary quality on the risk of COPD in the general population and pulmonary function decline in patients with COPD.

OBJECTIVE

The association of dietary intake and nutrient status with COPD risk and onset, as well as pulmonary function decline (change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, or the ratio of the former to the latter) in patients with COPD was investigated in this systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed database was searched by combining terms of pulmonary function or COPD with diet, nutrient status, or nutritional supplementation.

DATA EXTRACTION

Original studies and systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included. Articles obtained were independently screened for relevance on the bases of title and abstract by 2 researchers. Eventually, 89 articles were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The unhealthy Western-style diet is associated with an increased risk of COPD and an accelerated decline of pulmonary function. Intake of fruit, vegetables, dietary fibers, vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and β-carotene were individually associated with lower COPD risk, whereas consumption of processed meat was associated with higher COPD risk. Data on the effect of dietary quality on pulmonary function decline in patients with COPD are limited and inconsistent. Strong evidence for beneficial effects on pulmonary function decline was found only for vitamin D supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Considering the increasing burden of COPD, more attention should be given to dietary quality as a modifiable factor in disease development and progression in patients with COPD.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021240183.