| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is affecting | | | | intake. Even when taking into account of smoking, |
| millions worldwide and the figures are increasing. The | | | | body mass index, alcohol consumption, these results |
| major cause of COPD is smoking; around 90% of | | | | were consistent. |
| COPD victims are or have been smokers, but what is | | | | The research is showing positive results in the |
| striking is that only 20% of smokers develop COPD. | | | | relationship between soy food and lung health. In |
| This therefore opens the question on whether | | | | general terms, organic food, including those rich in |
| lifestyles including dietary and exercise habits are also | | | | antioxidants are beneficial for our health. At the same |
| determining factors. | | | | time a balanced lifestyle that includes our physical, |
| A previous study showed that a diet high in tofu, bean | | | | social and spiritual sides will generally result in much |
| sprouts and other soy foods appears to be | | | | better health. |
| associated with reduced cholesterol levels. The | | | | At the current rate of growth it is projected that |
| research team decided to investigate if soy food | | | | COPD victims will increase by up to 30% in the next |
| consumption was associated with lung health. | | | | ten years. Treatment has progressed considerably |
| This Japanese study is showing a positive relation | | | | over the last few years - amongst other things, long |
| between soy food intake amongst a sample of | | | | term oxygen therapy is now available in the higher |
| Japanese men and women, and a reduced risk of | | | | income countries with interesting advances in oxygen |
| COPD. It seems that those with COPD had a | | | | supply systems, specially oxygen concentrators and |
| significantly lower intake of soy products. The team | | | | conserving devices. |
| looked into variables such as demographics, lifestyle | | | | On the preventive side of things, it is now clear that |
| and food consumption habits, as well as undergoing | | | | smoking is the main culprit. So, to keep it simple, stop |
| lung function tests. On average the soy food | | | | smoking. But this is a demanding, but a reactive solution |
| consumption for those with COPD was lower than for | | | | - reacting to the high risks of COPD by not smoking. A |
| those people without COPD. | | | | proactive preventive solution would be a revision on |
| All the participants completed questionnaires on | | | | dietary and health related lifestyle. Organic and natural |
| demographics, lifestyle characteristics and habitual food | | | | foods, including soy foods, high antioxidant intake, |
| consumption and also underwent lung function tests. | | | | should be part of our daily diets. |
| The researchers found that average daily soy intake | | | | With progress we have received many benefits but |
| was significantly lower in the COPD patients. | | | | also other costs. Smoking - and cigarette tobacco has |
| One of the results was that the people who | | | | very little to do the original tobacco smoking in the |
| consumed higher amounts of soy foods had a greater | | | | Americas of the 16th century - and pollution, as well as |
| lung function and the risk of respiratory problems was | | | | our more sedentary and fast food culture, will pass the |
| less. There was a significant reduction of 1% in the risk | | | | bill and it will come in the form of our health. |
| of breathlessness with each additional gram in daily | | | | |