Cheese and nuts can help protect the lungs from asthma

Cheese, nuts, and leafy greens can help ward off lung diseases ranging from asthma and emphysema to colds.

A UK study of 6,000 people’s food diaries found that those low in vitamins A, E and D had more breathing problems even when other factors such as weight and smoking were taken into account.

Vitamin A, found in whole milk and cheese, carrots and dark green leafy vegetables, and vitamin E, found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, are believed to boost the immune system.

But supplements are often needed to bring vitamin D to healthy levels.

Of the 6,000 people, only 33 developed breathing problems, and the research team could not determine why the vitamins had an effect.

They said more work is needed to “assess the impact of the current study on the current coronavirus pandemic.”

Lead author, Professor Adrian Martineau of Queen Mary University of London, said some studies have suggested that people with lower vitamin D levels may be more susceptible to the coronavirus.

Dr Suzana Almoosawi of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London added: “We know that good nutrition is the foundation of good health.

First, our results underscore the importance of the overall diet and the need to obtain an adequate dietary intake of vitamins such as A and E.

“In the case of vitamin D, however, the food supply cannot provide sufficient quantities to meet the needs.

‘Given our knowledge of vitamin D deficiency levels in the general population, balanced with the low cost and risk of adverse events, it makes sense to supplement this key vitamin, especially for those more likely to be deficient or sensitive to this deficiency. of vitamin D. ‚

The team said more research is needed to “assess the impact of the current study in the context of the current coronavirus pandemic.”

Commenting on the study, Shane McAuliffe, director of scientific communications at the NNEdPro Nutrition and Covid-19 Taskforce, which includes experts from the University of Cambridge, said: “While the limitations of these data are recognized, they are fueling growing interest and evidence the role of vitamin D in respiratory health.

“Given our knowledge of the vitamin D deficiency levels in the population, balanced with the low cost and low risk of adverse events, it makes sense to supplement this key vitamin, especially for those most likely to be deficient.”