Researchers compared blood levels of certain nutrients and proteins in people with COPD (a serious lung disease) and healthy people. They looked at homocysteine, zinc, copper, vitamin B12, and folic acid—all important substances in our bodies. The study found that these nutrient levels were actually similar between people with COPD and healthy people, and all were in the normal range. However, the researchers did notice that people with COPD showed signs of inflammation in their blood, suggesting their bodies were fighting something. This research helps doctors understand that these specific nutrients might not be the key to explaining why COPD causes problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with COPD have different levels of certain nutrients and proteins in their blood compared to healthy people, and if these differences relate to body inflammation.
  • Who participated: The study included 30 people diagnosed with COPD and 30 healthy people without lung disease. All participants were evaluated at a university hospital in Turkey between February and April 2025.
  • Key finding: Surprisingly, nutrient levels (homocysteine, zinc, copper, vitamin B12, and folic acid) were nearly identical between people with COPD and healthy people—all were in normal ranges. However, people with COPD did show signs of inflammation in their blood.
  • What it means for you: If you have COPD, these specific nutrients being normal doesn’t mean your lungs are fine—the inflammation markers suggest your body is still dealing with the disease. These nutrients alone cannot explain COPD problems, so doctors need to look at other factors. Always follow your doctor’s treatment plan rather than focusing on these specific nutrients.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time by measuring blood levels in two groups of people at the same moment. They weren’t following people over months or years—just comparing what was happening right then. One group had COPD (a chronic lung disease where airways become narrowed and damaged), and the other group was healthy with no lung disease. The researchers measured five different substances in the blood: homocysteine (a protein), zinc (a mineral), copper (another mineral), vitamin B12, and folic acid (a B vitamin). They also looked at blood cell counts and inflammation markers to see if there were any differences between the groups.

This type of study is useful for spotting differences between sick and healthy people, which can give clues about what might be wrong. However, cross-sectional studies only show a moment in time—they can’t prove that nutrient levels cause COPD or that changing these nutrients will help. The researchers chose to measure these specific nutrients because previous research suggested they might play a role in lung disease and inflammation.

The study had a relatively small number of participants (60 total), which means the results are less certain than larger studies. The researchers used proper statistical tests to compare the groups fairly. All measured nutrients were within normal ranges for both groups, which is important context. The study was conducted at a university hospital, suggesting proper medical oversight. However, the small size means these findings should be confirmed with larger studies before drawing firm conclusions.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that homocysteine, zinc, copper, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels did not differ meaningfully between people with COPD and healthy controls. All values in both groups fell within the normal reference ranges that doctors use. This was somewhat surprising because previous research had suggested these nutrients might be abnormal in COPD patients. The researchers measured these nutrients carefully using standard laboratory methods, so the measurements themselves were reliable. However, the lack of difference suggests these specific nutrients may not be the key factor in COPD development or severity.

While the main nutrients were similar, the researchers did find important differences in blood cell counts and inflammation markers. People with COPD showed higher white blood cell counts, different platelet levels, and changes in red blood cell distribution. They also had elevated CRP (C-reactive protein), which is a marker of inflammation in the body. These findings confirm that COPD involves systemic inflammation—meaning the inflammation affects the whole body, not just the lungs. Interestingly, in the COPD group, zinc levels showed a positive relationship with red blood cell distribution width, and copper showed a negative relationship, suggesting these minerals might relate to how blood cells are affected by the disease.

Some earlier studies suggested that homocysteine, zinc, and copper might be abnormal in COPD patients. This study’s finding that these nutrients are actually normal contradicts some previous research. However, the confirmation of systemic inflammation in COPD aligns with what many other studies have shown. The results suggest that while inflammation is definitely part of COPD, the specific nutrient levels measured here may not be the primary drivers of the disease. This helps narrow down what researchers should focus on in future studies.

The study had several important limitations. First, only 60 people participated (30 in each group), which is relatively small. Larger studies with hundreds of participants would give more reliable results. Second, the study only looked at one moment in time, so we don’t know if nutrient levels change as COPD gets worse or better. Third, the researchers didn’t measure how severe each person’s COPD was, which could affect nutrient levels. Fourth, all participants were from one hospital in Turkey, so the results might not apply to people in other countries with different diets or genetics. Finally, the study didn’t look at whether changing these nutrient levels would actually help COPD patients feel better or breathe easier.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, there is insufficient evidence to recommend taking supplements of homocysteine, zinc, copper, vitamin B12, or folic acid specifically to treat or manage COPD (low confidence). However, maintaining adequate nutrition is always important for overall health. If you have COPD, focus on following your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan, which typically includes inhalers and other medications. If you’re concerned about nutrient deficiencies, ask your doctor about blood tests and whether supplements are appropriate for you personally.

This research is most relevant to people with COPD and their doctors. If you have COPD, this study suggests that your nutrient levels are likely normal even though you have the disease, so the problem isn’t a simple nutrient deficiency. Doctors should care about this because it helps them understand that COPD involves inflammation throughout the body, not just abnormal nutrient levels. People without COPD don’t need to worry about these findings. Researchers studying COPD should note that future investigations should focus on inflammation mechanisms rather than these specific nutrients.

If you have COPD, don’t expect changes in these nutrient levels to improve your symptoms quickly or at all, based on this research. COPD is a long-term disease that requires ongoing medical management. Any improvements in breathing or symptoms come from proper medical treatment (medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, lifestyle changes), not from correcting these specific nutrients since they’re already normal. If your doctor recommends any supplements, it may take weeks to months to notice any effects on overall health.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have COPD, track your daily symptoms (shortness of breath, cough, energy levels) on a scale of 1-10 each morning and evening. This helps you and your doctor see if your current treatment is working, which is more important than nutrient levels.
  • Focus on behaviors proven to help COPD: taking medications as prescribed, doing breathing exercises, staying active within your limits, and avoiding lung irritants like smoke and pollution. Use the app to set reminders for medications and track when you do breathing exercises.
  • Over the next 3-6 months, monitor how your COPD symptoms change with your current treatment plan. Keep records of any hospitalizations, emergency visits, or changes in your ability to do daily activities. Share this information with your doctor at each visit. This real-world tracking is more useful than nutrient levels for managing your condition.

This research is informational only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor. If you have COPD or think you might, consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not start, stop, or change any medications or supplements without talking to your doctor first. This study was small and only looked at nutrient levels at one point in time—it cannot prove that these nutrients cause or prevent COPD. Always follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations, which are based on your individual health needs.