43 Natural alternatives for cystic fibrosis

Many individuals with cystic fibrosis have difficulty with lung infections developing into pneumonia, especially Pseudomonas. Many plant materials are being researched for their therapeutic value for our immune and lung health. Here are 43 natural substances that have been researched to possibly improve the lung status of people with cystic fibrosis.

(Article republished from GreenMedInfo.com)

1. Omega-3 and gamma-linolenic fatty acids improve pulmonary status (lung function, respiratory exacerbations and antibiotic consumption), inflammatory and anthropometric parameters in adults with CF.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids may have a protective effect against mucus over-production caused by pulmonary bacterial colonization in cystic fibrosis.
3. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduces inflammatory biomarkers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and interleukin-8 concentrations in cystic fibrosis patients.
4. An 8-month treatment with Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) has a positive effects, such as decreasing inflammation, in patients with cystic fibrosis.
5. Oral magnesium supplementation may help overcome the failure of rhDNase-Iin patients with cystic fibrosis.
6. Vitamin A and E levels are inversely correlated with pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis.
7. Glutathione improves clinical markers in cystic fibrosis patients.
8. Improved glutathione status in young adult patients with cystic fibrosis supplemented with whey protein.
9. Lactobacillus GG supplementation reduces pulmonary exacerberations and hospital admissions in patients with cystic fibrosis.
10. Inhaled hypertonic saline accelerates mucus clearance and improves lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis.
11. Zinc supplementation reduces the number of days of oral antibiotics used to treat respiratory tract infections in children with cystic fibrosis.
12. Zinc supplementation is beneficial in Zinc-deficient Cystic Fibrosis patients.
13. Lactoferrin inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepia, two infectious organisms found in Cystic Fibrosis patients.
14. Lactobacillus probiotic delayed respiratory tract colonization and infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
15. Garlic and tea have antibacterial activity against Klebsiella, as well as drug resistant strains of Saphylococci, Enterococci and Psedomonas aeruginosa.
16. Ginseng treatment enhances bacterial clearance and decreases lung pathology (in rats) with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.
17. Ripe and unripe papaya fruit exhibit significant antibacterial action on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shigella flexneri.
18. Curcumin attenuates the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
19. Ginseng extract reduces bacterial load and lung pathology in chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia (in rats).
20. Water soluble green tea extract has significant activity against multi-drug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
21. Cinnamon water possesses profound activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
22. Clove, cinnamon, lavender and peppermint oils appear to interfere with quorum sensing activity in bacteria, reducing the pseudomonus drug-resistant virulence and pathogenicity.
23. Goldenseal (H. canadensis) demonstrates antibacterial activity against Staphloccocal, Steptococcal, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in vitro.
24. A combination of Rhodiola, Schisandra and Eleutherococccus (Siberian Ginseng) improves patients with acute non-specific pneumonia.
25. High dose vitamin D3 prevents recurrence of pneumonia in children treated with antibiotics.
26. Adjuvant treatment with zinc accelerates recovery from severe pneumonia in children.
27. Licorice is effective in reducing experimentally induced pulmonary inflammation.
28. Oxidative stress is implicated in acute pneumonia in children and may be attenuated through antioxidants.
29. Green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of death from pneumonia.
30. Higher intake of Omega 3 fatty acidsmay reduce the risk of pneumonia.
31. Dietary supplementation with amla protects against bacterial colonization (Klebsiella pneumoniae) of lungs on long-term feeding in experimental model.
32. Curcumin ameliorates lung inflammation induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae and may be a useful adjuvant in antibiotic therapy.
33. Aspen bark extract exhibits powerful antibacterial activity against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae.
34. Chicken soup may be therapeutic in treating pneumococcal pneumonia.
35. Choline related supplements may improve status of children with Cystic Fibrosis.
36. Curcumin has a corrective effect on the expression of genetic defects associated with cystic fibrosis in an animal model.
37. Cordyceps may play a therapeutic role in improving pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis.
38. Fish oil supplementation has therapeutic value in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
39. Oats, as a source of (lipase) enzymes, may provide ideal acid-stable adjunct to pancreatin derived enzymes.
40. Bing cherries reduce inflammation.
41. Bilberry has anti-inflammatory properties.
42. Pigmented potato consumption positively alters oxidative stress and inflammatory levels.
43. Fruit and vegetable consumption improves markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in adolescents.

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