Post prandial changes in pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation in COPD patients after high carbohydrate and high fat diet

ABSTRACT

This study has been carried out on 14 stable cases of COPD and 8 normal controls in order to assess the pattern of pulmonary gas exchange on ventilation in response to a high-carbohydrate diet and then after a high fat diet. The response was different between normal subjects and patients on one hand, and between the 2 diets on the other hand. In controls, after a high carbohydrate diet, VO[2], VCO[2], RQ and end-tidal CO[2] rised with a significant difference from values obtained following the high fat diet, VE did not arise significantly. On the other hand, all parameters raised significantly in patients after the high carbohydrate load, except for end-tidal CO[2]. VE markedly increased in patients which adds a further burden on their already deranged pulmonary performance. In contrast, normal subjects reacted by an increase in end-tidal CO[2] leading to a maintained P[a]CO[2] level. The study concluded that high fat diet may be of benefit to cases of COPD, and high carbohydrate loads are better avoided. This conclusion seems to be important to dieticians and people taking care of nutrition of COPD patients