What Role Is Played by the Lungs in Respiration?

The Lungs are the platform for the exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. They are the most important organs in the process of respiration. The organs which form a part of the respiration system are the nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, and lungs. The Lungs play a part in the last and the most vital part of the respiration process. 

Once air reaches the Lungs through the throat, voice box, and the windpipe, the first activity, which takes place there, is the separation of oxygen from the other components of air. This separation and all further activities occur at the Alveoli, which are very small air sacs. The Alveoli is at the end of the smallest subdivisions of the bronchial tubes which connect the Lungs to the windpipe. These subdivisions are called Bronchioles. Thus, the Alveoli are the last destinations of the air we breathe in and they are lined by tiny blood vessels called capillaries. The separated oxygen then moves from the Alveoli to the capillaries, in a process called diffusion, after which they enter the blood stream. In the blood stream, the oxygen is then picked up by hemoglobin and carried to all the cells in the body. This process results in the formation of carbon dioxide, which is then dissolved in the plasma of the blood and carried back to the Alveoli. The Lungs come into play again and the carbon dioxide is pumped out during exhalation. This entire process happens involuntarily and about 12 to 15 times every minute.

For the process of respiration to take place properly, the Lungs have to continue expanding and contracting. The amount of oxygen which can be supplied to the body is directly dependent on the Lung capacity which is measured in terms of the amount of air which it can inhale and exhale. Keeping your Lungs healthy is thus the most important task for living a healthy life. Lung Specialists have time and again reiterated the importance of the steps necessary to keep your Lungs healthy. Make it a point to visit a Lung Specialist regularly in order to detect any abnormalities at the earliest. You owe that visit to the most vital organ which keeps you alive!         

Which are the Best Foods for Your Lungs?

Taking proper care of your Lungs is an important requirement for leading a healthy life. Aside from the medications prescribed by your Pulmonologist, a few foods have shown to have helpful effects for the Lungs. We present a few of them, which aids the Lungs in performing the vital function of life called respiration, here in this blog. Keep these in your regular diet to reduce the risk of Lung Diseases.

Apples

A British study showed that the risk of Asthma reduced by 32% in people who consumed 2 to 5 apples every week. The flavonoids, present in the apples, help open the airways and provide a better supply of air to the Lungs.

Fruits & Vegetables with Vitamin C

Fruits and vegetables, which have high amounts of Vitamin C, should also be a part of your diet. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant which fights the free radicals to keep your Lungs safe. Some of the fruits which contain Vitamin C in abundance are orange, broccoli, sprouts, tomatoes, etc.

Carrots  

Beta-carotene, found in carrots, is another strong antioxidant. Carrots are also beneficial for the overall immune system of the body and have been known to be helpful in case of Lung Diseases, especially Asthma.

Flax Seeds

Magnesium, present in flax seeds, has a relaxing effect on the bronchi muscles and keeps them open. The bronchi are the airways which lead to the Lungs and keeping them open is vital for uninterrupted respiration.

Garlic

Garlic has special status in the traditional treatment of a lot of diseases. Its anti-inflammatory properties can prove to be helpful in the smooth functioning of the respiration system. Garlic also contains Allicin, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Use the above foods in your diet so that your Lungs can continue to faithfully carry on the life function of respiration. Also, make that visit to a Lung Specialist or Pulmonologist a regular affair, just to be sure.