The Impact of Malnutrition on Respiratory Function: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Malnutrition has a significant impact on lung health, directly affecting the respiratory muscle, immune function, and the progression of chronic lung conditions. This review article finds the primary effects of malnutrition on respiratory function, muscle performance, the immune system, the incidence of respiratory infections, and its impact on patients with chronic lung disease. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory posits that environmental factors, particularly inadequate nutrition during critical early life stages, can have lasting effects on health. People who did not get enough nutrients during pregnancy or right after giving birth are more likely to get chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma as adults. Poor ventilation and worse outcomes in COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can result from the effects of malnutrition on the contractile capacity of the respiratory muscles. This also interferes with the body’s defense, increasing the risk of infection through compromised T-cell activity, reduced antibody production, and deficiencies in essential micronutrients, such as vitamins D, A, and zinc. Acute respiratory infections increase, recovery takes longer, and death rates rise in seriously ill patients due to these changes. In chronic lung diseases, malnutrition weakens muscles and causes them to become inflamed, resulting in decreased exercise, a lower quality of life, and shorter survival. Targeted nutrition, such as supplements and feeding plans, improves clinical outcomes and reduces mortality for children with recurrent infections and adults with advanced COPD. The high rate of malnutrition in respiratory patients emphasizes the need for nutrition care in respiratory treatment.