Oxidative Stress and Emphysema/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Emphysema refers to the destruction of the airsacs (alveoli). This is the portion of the lung involved in the transfer of oxygen into the blood stream. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that affects millions of people each year. People with COPD have airways that are narrowed and blocked due to damage. This is most often caused by smoking. People with COPD often have chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Oxidative stress and apoptosis can cause lung cellular destruction in emphysema. Cigarette smoke is a potent source of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and this could contribute to the development of pulmonary emphysema in the lungs of smokers.
About Emphysema/COPD
- Over 3.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema, of which 91% were 45 years of age or older.
- Rarely occurs in those under the age of 45
- Men tend to have higher rates of emphysema
- Together with chronic bronchitis and other chronic lower respiratory diseases, excluding asthma, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
Risk Factors
- Cigarette smoking. Smoking is responsible for approximately 80-90% of COPD deaths.
- Hyperesponsive airways
- Exposure to air pollution
- Genetic deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin
Risk Reducers
- Quitting smoking can prevent the occurrence and decrease the progression of emphysema.
- Avoid environments with high air pollution
- If an individual has emphysema, keeping clear of any infection is helpful. This includes maintaining overall good health habits: proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular exercise to build up stamina and resistance to infections.
About Protandim®
Protandim is a powerful, patented daily supplement that dramatically boosts your body's own natural defenses against free radical damage, a leading cause of oxidative stress.
At this time, there is no evidence that Protandim can treat, cure, or prevent emphysema, but we do know its positive impact on oxidative stress. Because of the known link between emphysema and oxidative stress, you may want to begin by lowering your oxidative stress, which Protandim is proven to do.
