Diet Lacking Fruit and Fish Could Hurt Lung Function

Note from Connie: Whenever you eat too many sweets and simple carbs — which most Americans do — you stand a good likelihood of ignoring your fruits and veggies, as well as protein sources. And if you pass up on nature’s sweet foods that grow in the ground or on trees, as well as fish that you find in the ocean or lakes, there could be consequences. Here’s some info about a new study from my researcher Althea Chang.

Diets with too little fruit and fish could prevent kids from developing full lung capacity and could increase their risk of developing childhood lung problems, according to a recent Harvard study.

Chronic bronchitis, wheezing and asthma were linked to diets with little vitamin E, certain fatty acids and fruit. Conditions considered minor early in life could worsen and eventually lead to loss of lung function and increased risk of premature death, researchers wrote in a report published in the July issue of the journal CHEST.

Harvard’s research, which was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, also found that recommended daily allowances of vitamin C outlined by the Food and Drug Administration were not enough to protect lung function.

While there was no causal relationship established between fruit and fish consumption and lung function, researchers said effects could be "generalizable" and they provide another reason why children should be taking nutritional supplements.

By Althea Chang for the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog