Omega 3 fatty acid: A boon for pulmonary health

Abstract

Nutrition has been recognized as an important factor in health and disease for many years. However, it is only recently that the importance of nutrition in patients with chronic lung disease has come into focus. There has been a profound link between nutrition and lung health. Malnutrition could lead to poor lung development. Various diet such as Mediterranean diet, prudent diet, etc. have reported their protective effect against respiratory diseases while westernized dietary patterns and fast-food intake could cause poor lung health. Fruits and vegetables constituting various vitamins and minerals provide antioxidant shield to the lungs. Apart from this, one leading nutrient omega-3 fatty acids primarily found in sea food is emerging to have beneficial role for the lung’s wellbeing. Its anti-inflammatory property helps to combat respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD. Even in the chronic conditions such as lung cancer it works as an important constituent of nutritional therapy. It also impairs immune responses against various infections and strengthen lungs. To our surprise it has also proven positive effects over smoking cessation also. However, more research is certainly needed to identify the chief role of nutrients involved in managing respiratory diseases and their implications in practicality.