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Nutrients
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Optimizing Respiratory Health Through Nutrition: From Prevention to Management
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Optimizing Respiratory Health Through Nutrition: From Prevention to Management

A Special Issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643) belonging to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 December 2025) | Viewed by 5380

Editor

Dr. Janos T. Varga

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: cytokines; lung; respiratory; lung diseases; asthma; physiotherapy; physical education; respiratory physiology; plasma; exercise science; chronic heart failure; nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Respiratory health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, with emerging research underscoring the profound impact of nutrition on both the prevention and management of respiratory conditions. A well-balanced diet, abundant in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and essential micronutrients, serves as a powerful ally in enhancing lung function, curbing inflammation, and bolstering immune defenses. Key dietary components—such as colorful fruits and vegetables, omega-3-rich foods, and vitamin D sources—have demonstrated promise in reducing the risk and severity of asthma, COPD, and respiratory infections. 

Beyond food choices, maintaining optimal hydration and minimizing processed foods can further refine respiratory efficiency. This discussion delves into science-backed dietary approaches to lung health, spanning from preventive strategies for the general population to targeted nutritional therapies for chronic respiratory conditions. By unraveling the intricate relationship between diet and respiratory function, individuals can empower themselves to make informed, proactive choices—paving the way for improved breathing and sustained vitality.

Dr. János Tamas Varga
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diet
  • nutrition
  • vitamin D
  • fruits
  • vegetables
  • COPD
  • lung
  • respiratory health
  • asthma

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 809 KB  
Article
Impact of Protein Intake on Training Response in Chronic Lung Disease
by Andrea Huhn and Patrick Diel
Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010041 - 22 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1802
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Loss of muscle strength and mass is common in patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) and contributes to functional decline. Resistance training and adequate protein intake improve muscle function in healthy adults, but data for this patient population are limited. Methods: In [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Loss of muscle strength and mass is common in patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) and contributes to functional decline. Resistance training and adequate protein intake improve muscle function in healthy adults, but data for this patient population are limited. Methods: In this prospective, non-randomized controlled study, 16 patients with CLD (51–85 years) participated in three six-week intervention phases: phase 1—usual diet, phase 2—daily protein intake according to recommendations (1.2–1.5 g/kg bodyweight), and phase 3—additional protein supplementation immediately after training. Combined strength and endurance training was performed throughout the entire intervention period. The main outcome was maximum strength and body fat, while secondary outcomes included physical capacity, weight, activity, and quality of life (QoL). Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models to evaluate interaction effects between time points and phases with an intention-to-treat analysis. Results: In the patients’ usual diets, daily protein intake was below the recommended levels; during the intervention, protein intake increased significantly but did not reach the recommended target range. Maximum strength was increased marginally significantly by 4.6 kg during the intervention time without an interaction effect. Body fat reduction was significantly modeled using the interaction effect, whereas body weight remained unchanged. These enhancements are remarkable given that the training intensity was very low (less than once weekly), and protein consumption was below recommended levels. Conclusions: Targeted resistance training, combined with increased protein intake, led to measurable improvements in strength and body composition. These findings demonstrate that low-effort interventions can be implemented in real-life settings, providing a practical strategy to improve strength (a significant prognostic indicator) and increase protein consumption among this vulnerable population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Respiratory Health Through Nutrition: From Prevention to Management)
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Review

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24 pages, 442 KB  
Review
Multimodal Therapeutic Strategies for the Management of Sarcopenia and Frailty in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review
by Saoussen Naas, Monika Fekete, Gabriella Szendro, Tamas Komaromi, Zsolt Rozgonyi, Erik Palmer, Lorinc Polivka, Regina Bakos, Borbala Szalai, Veronika Muller and Janos Tamas Varga
Nutrients 2026, 18(3), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18030543 - 6 Feb 2026
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2935
Abstract
Introduction: Sarcopenia and frailty are prevalent yet under-recognized contributors to disability, impaired quality of life, and adverse outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Shared mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, malnutrition, and physical inactivity, render these syndromes important targets for multimodal intervention. [...] Read more.
Introduction: Sarcopenia and frailty are prevalent yet under-recognized contributors to disability, impaired quality of life, and adverse outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Shared mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, malnutrition, and physical inactivity, render these syndromes important targets for multimodal intervention. This review summarizes current evidence on exercise-based, nutritional, pharmacological, and adjunctive strategies for their management in COPD. Materials and Methods: This narrative review is based on a structured literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and May 2025. Eligible publications included randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and observational studies involving adults with COPD and documented sarcopenia and/or frailty. Interventions were categorized by modality, and outcomes included muscle mass, strength, physical performance, quality of life, and hospitalizations. Data were synthesized thematically. Results: Resistance and combined exercise training consistently improved muscle strength and physical function, while endurance training enhanced cardiorespiratory capacity, particularly within pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Nutritional interventions, especially protein, leucine, or β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate supplementation, supported gains in lean mass and exercise tolerance. Pharmacological strategies, including anabolic hormones and myostatin inhibitors, showed early promise but require further evaluation regarding safety and long-term efficacy. Adjunctive therapies, such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation and oxygen supplementation, benefited patients unable to participate in conventional exercise training. Conclusions: An integrated, multimodal approach combining structured exercise training and targeted nutritional support should be considered a cornerstone of COPD management to prevent and treat sarcopenia and frailty. Personalized rehabilitation strategies can substantially improve functional outcomes and quality of life, while future research should prioritize biomarker-guided personalization and long-term intervention studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Respiratory Health Through Nutrition: From Prevention to Management)
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