A new study has shown that excess salt in the diet can negatively affect the condition of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to scientists, elderly patients who consume more salt experience exacerbations of the disease more frequently, and the course of the illness is more severe.
Increased consumption of table salt among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be associated with a higher risk of recurrent exacerbations of the disease. This conclusion was reached by researchers whose work was published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
The authors of the study note that diet can significantly influence the course of chronic respiratory diseases, and some eating habits may worsen patients' conditions.
The study involved 646 individuals over the age of 60 who had previously experienced exacerbations of COPD. Participants were divided into two groups based on their salt intake — high and low levels of consumption. The health of the volunteers was monitored over the course of a year.
The results showed that patients who consumed more salt experienced exacerbations of the disease significantly more often. Additionally, they exhibited worsening lung function, decreased blood oxygen saturation levels, and increased carbon dioxide concentration in the body.
It was also found that patients in the high salt consumption group more frequently required treatment in intensive care units and had longer hospital stays.
According to the researchers, reducing salt intake may be one of the simple ways to lower the risk of complications in elderly individuals with COPD. The scientists emphasize that even habitual dietary features can significantly influence the course of chronic respiratory diseases.
Experts remind that in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, not only medication treatment plays an important role, but also lifestyle. Dietary control, including moderate salt consumption, can help reduce the risk of exacerbations and improve patients' quality of life. However, any dietary changes in chronic diseases should ideally be discussed with a treating physician.
