Why Nutrition Matters for COPD

COPD doesn’t just affect how you breathe, it fundamentally changes how your body functions. From how you process energy to how you absorb nutrients and manage inflammation, COPD impacts multiple body systems. Despite its importance, nutrition often isn’t talked about as part of treatment, but it really should be. I’ve personally experienced the short term benefits of what happens when you selectively eat the healthiest of foods. It’s like magic how much power food has over our health. What you put on your plate can either support your lungs or weigh them down. A well-fed body is better equipped to breathe and heal, especially when facing chronic illness.

“There is good evidence that nutritional support … can improve nutritional status and functional capacity..”

— Dr. Peter Collins, Journal of Thoracic Disease¹

The Energy Cost of Breathing

Breathing takes more effort when you have COPD. Because the lungs are working harder to move air, your body burns more energy. In fact, it’s worth noting again, your respiratory muscles may require up to 10 times more calories than those of someone without COPD, according to the American Lung Association.²

When your body doesn’t get the fuel it needs, it can lead to unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness, and a sluggish immune response, and overall moodiness. I remember walking around Paris years ago with my wife and her friend, and they were surprised by how often I had to stop for a quick bite. My energy and mood would drop so fast from all the walking that food breaks became essential.

 One study³ in the International Journal of COPD, found that malnutrition was present in 17% of people with COPD and was strongly linked to lower lung function and increased risk of complications. Malnutrition makes recovery harder, and increases the risk of hospitalization.

Macronutrients and Breathlessness

Nutrition isn’t just about how much you eat, it’s also about what you eat. Carbohydrates produce more carbon dioxide as they’re broken down, compared to fats and proteins. For people with COPD, this added carbon dioxide increases the workload on the lungs and can contribute to breathlessness.

Shifting to a diet that emphasizes healthy fats and lean proteins over excessive carbohydrates reduces carbon dioxide production. This helps ease the strain on the respiratory system and supports more efficient breathing. For example, building meals around healthy fats like avocado, nuts, or olive oil–based dressings instead of relying heavily on refined carbohydrates like white bread or sugary cereals can support easier breathing and reduce carbon dioxide buildup.

Protein: Fuel For Breathing Muscles

You may not think of breathing as something your muscles do, but they’re working every second, especially the diaphragm and the muscles between your ribs (intercostal). These are the important muscles that expand your lungs and help push the air out. But just like your arms and legs, these muscles need strength to do their job well.

Protein is what keeps those muscles strong. Without enough in your diet, even the muscles that power your breathing can weaken, making each breath feel more labored. Eating enough protein helps preserve the strength of the muscles that power your breathing. These muscles are essential for drawing in air efficiently, and without adequate protein, they can weaken over time, making breathing more difficult and tiring. Adding fish, tofu, eggs, or legumes to your meals gives your body the resources it needs to keep you breathing steadily and with less effort.

Dietary Acid Load and Lung Inflammation

Your body’s blood pH is tightly controlled, and no food can truly make it more “acidic” or “alkaline.” But what you eat can influence something called dietary acid load, the amount of acid your body has to process through your kidneys and buffering systems. Over time, a consistently high acid load can increase inflammation and affect muscle and bone health.

Diets rich in processed meats, refined grains, and sugary foods tend to produce more acid in the body, which may contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation. On the other hand, diets built around vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole foods are considered more alkalizing, not because they change your pH, but because they reduce the physiological burden of excess acid.

While this isn’t about chasing a magical “alkaline” state, the balance of your meals can still affect how your body feels and functions. A 2020 review in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition⁴ highlights the importance of lowering dietary acid load to support long-term metabolic and inflammatory health.

Nutrition’s Impact On COPD Management

Eating well won’t cure COPD, but it absolutely plays a major role in how your body is able to handle those symptoms every day. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and helps maintain the strength of the muscles you rely on for breathing.

Every meal presents an opportunity to support lung health. Choosing whole foods, staying hydrated, and maintaining balanced meals can make breathing more manageable and enhance overall quality of life. According to a 2023 review in the European Respiratory Review⁵, integrating nutritional strategies into COPD management can improve respiratory function and patient well-being.

References:

1. Journal of Thoracic Disease, Nutritional support in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): an evidence update, Peter F. Collins, Ian A. Yang, Yuan-Chin Chang, Annalicia Vaughan

2. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Prevalence of malnutrition in COPD and its relationship with the severity of disease. Yilmaz, A., et al. (2018)

3. American Lung Association. Nutrition and COPD.

4. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (2020). Acid-base balance, diet, and chronic disease risk.

5. European Respiratory Review. (2023). Nutrition in COPD: an integrative approach.