Most people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD) always experience difficulties with poor nutrition. Being overweight can add extra pressure to the lungs and body. People who suffer from COPD are usually underweight and they need more energy to breathe than people with normal lungs. Following a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients helps to maintain a healthy weight.

For people with COPD, exercise could be challenging. Research says that such people need to get enough exercise as it helps them to improve their exercise tolerance. They are not able to exercise much due to difficulty in breathing but not exercising at all could make the muscles lose strength and cause a decline in overall health. Gentle exercises like yoga, walking, and tai chi is useful.

People with COPD need to improve their eating habits. A healthy diet might not cure COPD but it helps the body to fight off infections which include chest infection that leads to hospitalization. Healthy eating makes you feel better and helps to deal with this condition. Other than natural treatments, this is the only remedy that can help treat COPD.

Ideally, a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates is said to be the best for people with COPD. A low carbohydrate diet results in a low production of carbon dioxide. This helps people with COPD to manage their health better. A ketogenic diet is said to be better in comparison to the Mediterranean diet. As a ketogenic diet has a low carbon dioxide output and carbon dioxide end-tidal partial pressure. A variety of foods need to be added to achieve a healthy diet even while reducing carbohydrates:

1. Protein-rich foods
High protein quality foods such as grass-fed meat, pastured poultry, and eggs are some protein-rich foods. Oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines are also great sources of protein.

2. Complex carbohydrates
If it is necessary to include carbohydrates in your diet it is advised to opt for complex carbohydrates which are foods that are high in fiber. Such foods improve the function of the digestive system and manage blood sugar levels. Some foods like peas, bran, potatoes with skin, lentils, quinoa, beans, oats, and barley are complex carbohydrates that need to be added to your diet.

3. Potassium-rich foods
Potassium is most vital for lung function as its deficiency could cause breathing issues. Consuming foods such as avocados, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, asparagus, beets, bananas, and oranges are good sources of potassium.

4. Healthy fats
They are suitable for people with COPD but they should opt for foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut and coconut oil, olives and olive oil, fatty fish and cheese. Such foods provide long term overall nutrition.

5. Daily exercise
Other than following a diet, the COPD patient should also consider doing some exercises like walking. This is a natural remedy that can help treat COPD. A recent study shows that COPD patients who walked 2 to 3 miles per day have lesser chances to be hospitalized for flare-ups. There are three elements of physical activity that can be benefited from. Walking has direct benefits on people with COPD not only for lung health but in other areas also like cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, depression, colon cancer, erectile dysfunction, strong bones and muscles, and weight loss.