The vitamin that shields them – The foods that contain it

Often, when you feel intense anxiety, suggest you take deep breaths. The same when you are in a natural environment, to fill your lungs with precious oxygen. But how will you take deep breaths if you don’t have strong lungs? The large urban landscapes, with the polluted atmosphere, but also harmful habits, such as smokingundermine your lung health, increasing your risk of lung disease.

A new study made an important finding: You can protect your lung health by ensuring your body has enough of a certain vitamin. How; But of course through the appropriate one diet.

Research published in ERJ Open Research specifically argues that those who do not get adequate amounts of vitamin K may be at increased risk for poor lung health. Lack of the vitamin was associated, in particular, with conditions such as asthmaThe whistling and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Until now, it was known that vitamin K, an essential nutrient found mainly in green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils and grains, is vital for blood clotting, helping to heal wounds. Its role in lung health, however, remained unclear until recently.

The research, led by Danish scientists from Copenhagen University Hospital and the University of Copenhagen, involved more than 4,000 participants aged 24 – 77. All participants underwent spirometry, a test that assesses lung function, provided blood samples and filled out questionnaires, giving information about their health and lifestyle.

From the blood samples, the researchers used a specific indicator (dp-ucMGP), in order to detect the levels of vitamin K in the body. At the same time, they collected two measurements from the spirometry:

• The volume of air that can be exhaled in one second (FEV1) and
• The maximum volume inhaled during one breath (FVC).

The results of the study revealed a correlation between indicators of vitamin K deficiency and reduced FEV1 and FVC values. It was found, moreover, that participants with reduced vitamin K levels were also more likely to report episodes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma or wheezing.

“We already know that vitamin K plays an important role in the blood, and research is beginning to show that it is also important for heart and bone health. Our study now shows that vitamin K may also play an important role in lung health,” said Dr. Torkil Jespersen. “On their own, our findings do not change current recommendations for vitamin K intake, but indicate that more research is needed to determine whether people with lung disease could benefit from taking vitamin K supplements“, he added.

“This study shows that people with low levels of vitamin K may have worse lung function. “Further research will help us understand more about this link and see if increasing vitamin K can improve lung function,” added Dr. Apostolos Bosios from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and secretary of the European Respiratory Society meeting on Airway Diseases, Asthma, COPD and Chronic Cough.

He pointed out: “It is important to support our overall health by adopting a healthy, balanced diet and refraining from harmful habits such as smoking and actions that contribute to air pollution.”