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Your lungs bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide as a waste product.
However, air pollution, smoking, and lung diseases can compromise lung function.
Specific dietary supplements have been suggested to support lung health through their anti-inflammatory properties.
IsiMS / Getty Images
Supplements that boost lung health range from vitamins to minerals tonutraceuticalsand herbs.
Vitamin C
Oxidative stress is a prominent contributor to lung infection, and studies show thatvitamin Ccan limit inflammation.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by progressive airway obstruction.
Vitamin D
Besides maintaining bone health and aiding calcium absorption,vitamin Dis vital for immunity and inflammation.
Further studies are necessary to compare the effects of these two dosing regimens on clinical outcomes.
Vitamin E
Vitamin Eis a potent fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in reducing lung inflammation.
Bronchiectasisis a lung condition in which the airways become damaged, increasing the risk of lung infections.
Is NAC Legal?
Laboratory studies indicated thatboswellicacids reduce the production of inflammatory markers that destroy lung tissues.
Probiotics
Emerging evidence suggests a meaningful connection between the gut microbiome and the lungs, called the gut-lung axis.
Studies involving a diverse population are needed to clarify the results.
Quercetin
Naturally found in certain foods such as apples and onions,quercetinis aflavonoidcompound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Suppose you have certain medical conditions or take prescription or over-the-counter medications or other dietary supplements.
Precautions
Some people may need to exercise additional caution when taking specific supplements.
As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label.
Whenchoosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such asNSF,U.S.
Pharmacopeia (USP), orConsumerLab.com.
Summary
Most of the supplements that support lung health exert their benefit through decreasing inflammation.
However, more human clinical studies are needed to evaluate their safety.
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