Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Protein Consumption: What is the Connection?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by obstruction to pulmonary airflow and dyspnoea. These characteristics are a consequence of exposure to harmful gases and particles that lead to oxidative stress in the lungs along with an exaggerated inflammatory response. In addition to respiratory impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents systemic manifestations, nutritional alterations and exercise limitation. Whey protein supplementation, concomitant with physical activity for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is intended to stimulate protein synthesis and decrease muscle catabolism that may be caused by exercise.