How To Prevent COPD Weight Loss
Learn strategies to avoid losing too much weight if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Medically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, MS
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Not only can COPD make breathing difficult, but it can cause severe weight and muscle loss. COPD weight loss is especially common for people with more severe cases of the disease.
In general, eating more protein and getting more calories—while still keeping an eye on nutrition—is a good way to combat weight loss. Here are some tips to help keep the weight on.
Related: 15 COPD Symptoms
The Connection Between COPD and Weight Loss
COPD causes difficulty breathing, which means the act of breathing can require more energy.
"In the end stages of COPD, preventing weight loss is a major issue," Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, told Health. "The work of breathing takes so many calories."
A person with COPD may need more calories to make up for the extra energy they use when breathing. Otherwise, they may lose weight since they require more energy than they are consuming, and the body will break down stored fat to get the energy it needs.
Some people with COPD find preparing meals too exhausting and may feel uncomfortable or out-of-breath while cooking or eating. All of this can make it harder to get the calories they need.
Risks of Weight Loss
Being underweight carries risks, whether a person has COPD or not. For example, it is associated with a higher risk of infections.
To make matters worse, people who are underweight often don't receive proper nutrition, which can make it harder for their bodies to recover from infection.
People with COPD who don't receive enough nutrition tend to have a poorer quality of life. They may experience fatigue and find it harder to perform everyday tasks. Exercise may also become more difficult, leading to loss of muscle mass.
Not getting enough nutrition might also exacerbate symptoms such as shortness of breath and reduce life expectancy.
Tips To Avoid COPD Weight Loss
The following steps can help you gain weight or avoid COPD weight loss:
Add Healthy Fats
"One of the best food groups to focus on, believe it or not, is the high-fat foods," said Dr. Gerbstadt. "Because of the way fat is digested, it doesn't tax the respiratory system like digesting other foods can."
Try tossing a salad in olive oil or marinating meats in an olive-oil-based vinaigrette.
"You're adding more flavor but adding a compact source of calories that's very efficiently metabolized, so it helps the effort of breathing," Dr. Gerbstadt explained.
Related: Is It Possible to Eat Too Much Healthy Fat?
Eat Eggs
Eggs are full of healthy nutrients and don't need much preparation. This is a plus for COPD patients who might not have the energy to prepare elaborate meals.
This hard-cooked egg recipe takes five minutes of preparation and offers iron, vitamins A and D, and 6 grams of protein. The protein in eggs can help add bulk to your diet.
Related: Is It Really Okay To Eat Eggs Every Day?
Eat Lean Meats
Lean meats are a healthy source of protein when they're eaten in moderation.
"You need some protein, so pick lean meats because the fat in meat would be more saturated and higher in cholesterol," said Dr. Gerbstadt. "Marinate a nice lean cut of meat in a vinaigrette and make a London broil or a stir-fry, where you're adding healthy fat [by cooking in oil] and not using the animal fat."
If you prefer not to eat meat, other healthy sources of protein include seafood, soy foods, and legumes such as beans and lentils.
Eat Nuts
Nuts are high in calories and provide protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They are also packed with antioxidants, which are good for your heart and help fight inflammation.
Try spreading peanut butter on toast or bagels or tossing nuts into salads or stir-fries. You could even eat them by the handful.
Related: The Healthiest Nuts for Your Body
Enjoy Dessert
Eating may not always be an enjoyable experience for someone with COPD. "It's less easy to eat when you are having trouble breathing," said Dr. Gerbstadt.
Put some joy into eating by indulging in a bit of dessert. However, saturated fats and simple carbohydrates (such as candy and cake) should generally be minimized.
Fortunately, there are easy-to-make desserts with less saturated fat and added sugars, such as Greek yogurt with berries and almond slices.
Try Dairy
Some experts recommend adding cheese to sandwiches, pasta, and casseroles or mixing dried milk powder into recipes. Opt for full-fat instead of reduced-fat dairy.
"Cheese certainly is a concentrated source of calories," said Dr. Gerbstadt. With that said, it's easy to go overboard, and some people with COPD report that having too much dairy causes their mucus to thicken. In that case, nuts and vegetable oils may be a better source of fat.
If you're comfortable with it, though, dairy offers potassium, calcium, and vitamin D. Research suggests that people with COPD often don't receive enough vitamin D and that vitamin D deficiency might worsen COPD.
Try Nutritional Shakes or Smoothies
Fruit smoothies and milkshakes are good sources of calories. This is especially true if they contain fiber and fat and are not very high in carbohydrates. "Some brands make versions specifically for chronic lung patients," noted Dr. Gerbstadt.
"[A shake is] not the first thing [most COPD patients] would reach for," added Dr. Gerbstadt. "They may worry that drinking more will result in too many trips to the bathroom—a daily activity that becomes increasingly difficult as the disease worsens."
If you want to try a smoothie or shake, try adding protein powder.
Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements.
Related: The Best Protein Shakes of 2022
Other Considerations
Here are some other tips to keep in mind in your quest to gain weight:
Avoid foods that trigger bloating or gas since they can make breathing harder.
Eat slowly with small bites, sit upright, and practice deep breathing while eating if you feel short of breath.
Hydration is important, but it can make you feel full more quickly, so it's better to hydrate after meals instead of before and during.
Keep high-calorie, nutritious snacks on hand.
Set reminders to eat throughout the day.
Try five to six small meals each day if you struggle to eat two or three large meals.
If you find it exhausting to prepare food, ask loved ones for help if needed. Otherwise, find meals that are easy and quick to prepare. Buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables, precooked meats, and unprocessed frozen meals. Be sure to check the nutrition labels, though.
Aim for a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Try to limit trans and saturated fats, sodium, and simple carbohydrates.
Contact a healthcare provider if you are losing weight or find it hard to get the nutrition you need. It's also a good idea to meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), particularly one specializing in COPD. Your healthcare provider can provide a referral; if not, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website is a good resource.
A Quick Review
It's common for people with COPD to lose weight. Too much weight loss can interfere with quality of life and exacerbate symptoms of COPD.
Fortunately, there are steps people with COPD can take to reduce weight loss, such as eating healthy fats, dairy, and nutritional shakes.
It's also a good idea to consult a healthcare provider or RDN if you have experienced weight loss due to COPD.
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Read the original article on Health.
