COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease) is characterized by:
1) Chronic cough with sputum
2) Breathlessness on exertion & rest
3) Waxing, waning symptoms but a progressive nature of disease.
COPD is now understood as a Systemic Disease, which affects other organ & function systems of body also, therefore the idea of complete treatment means looking out for signs of other disorders & correcting them.
How does Vitamin D help?
Vitamin D like other vitamins works a cellular level, providing nutrition & helping out with immunity, growth & activation of simple & complex body mechanisms.
Lately research has shown that Vitamin D users were more healthy in aspect of immunity of body and better Lung & Bone function.
Do you need Vitamin D supplementation?
Even in a sunny tropical country of India, majority of us suffer from Vitamin D deficiency (our dark skin pigmentation & desire to avoid sun & heat, is one of the reasons).
COPD patients may suffer due to poor appetite / diet restrictions (Strictly Vegetarian diet), staying indoors to avoid pollution.
How to know your Vitamin D levels?
The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test. A level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered adequate for healthy people. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.
What are Vitamin D rich food?
Foods that provide vitamin D include: Fatty fish (tuna, mackerel and salmon), dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, cereals, liver, Cheese & Egg yolks.
A deficiency can be successfully treated by supplements, but Physician advice for dose & duration is an absolute must.