An easy way to reduce risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Reducing risk of COPD by 10 percent may not sound like much, but that slim margin could save many lives.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, or any combination of the three. And the worldwide death toll from this disease is staggering – by some estimates, as many as five million per year.

New research from Cornell University confirms earlier studies that found a link between high intake of vitamin E and lower risk of COPD.

In this new study, researchers concluded that women over the age of 45 who take 600 IU of vitamin E supplements every other day may lower their risk of COPD by 10 percent.

Unfortunately, the benefit was not seen in asthma patients. Also, men weren’t included in the study, so their potential benefit remains a question mark.

But most significantly, risk reduction was as strong in smokers as non-smokers.

Needless to say (and yet I’m saying it again and again) smokers will sharply lower COPD risk if they stop smoking TODAY.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“US Study Claims Vitamin E Intake could Cut Risk of Lung Disease” Jane Byrne, NutraIngredients-USA, 5/18/10, nutraingredients-usa.com