Best Supplements for Lung Health

Your lungs are a vital part of your respiratory system, working with other organs to help you breathe and live. Doing what you can to maintain optimal lung health is important to ensure your body gets the oxygen it needs. There are many factors that can affect lung health, including lifestyle choices, environment and diet. This guide shares the vitamins and best supplements for respiratory health that people often look for, from vitamins for lung detox to kitchen herbs, to help support your respiratory system during the winter and throughout the year.

Why Respiratory Health is Important

Your lungs perform many functions in addition to the gas exchange that occurs during regular breathing. Your respiratory health is important because:

• It brings the air you inhale to the right temperature and humidity level.
• It protects your body from harmful substances through coughing and sneezing.
• It supports your sense of smell when your nasal passages are clear.
• Oxygen is essential for every cell in your body and keeps all of your organs functioning.

Poor respiratory health can affect other parts of the body over time. Your doctor can use spirometry, a breathing test, to assess your lung function. The American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society have set standards for how the test should be conducted.

10 Vitamins & Supplements for Lung Health

One of the best ways to improve any body system is to make sure it is getting the nutrients it needs to function at its best. The following are some of the best supplements for lung repair and a healthy respiratory system.

1. Vitamin A

You can find vitamin A in eggs and its precursor beta carotene in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A for lung health matters because it plays a large role in supporting the body's immune system and promotes regeneration of cells. If you're looking for the best vitamin for lung repair, vitamin A may help support the natural healing of the tissue in your lungs.

2. Vitamin D

It's difficult to get the vitamin D your body needs from food. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna, as well as fish oils, are among the best of very few natural sources.

Our bodies create vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. However, it can be difficult to get enough sunlight during the winter months. Getting the right amount of vitamin D is especially important for your bone density and strength, but it also helps prevent respiratory tract infections.

A basic blood test can tell you where you are at before supplementing.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a flowering plant related to ginger, and its roots make a tasty addition to many dishes. It's also the main ingredient in curry powder. Research shows turmeric, and its active compound curcumin, breaks down mucus, so your respiratory system can expel it from your airways. Less mucus in your system can reduce coughing and help you breathe more easily.

4. Quercetin

Quercetin, often listed among the best supplements for lung inflammation, is a flavonoid found in many plants you eat such as onions, apples, and berries. You can also get quercetin from red wine and green tea. Research shows that including quercetin in your diet decreases the risk of developing asthma and suffering from other respiratory issues. It also lowers your chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

5. Garlic

Garlic has long been touted as a superfood that helps the body in several ways, especially when consumed raw. The active chemicals in garlic may help support your body's defenses against bacteria in the lungs. Research also shows that eating raw garlic is protective in the development of lung cancer.

6. Oregano Oil

Oregano is a popular herb, related to mint, that many have in their kitchens and use in pasta dishes and tomato sauce. It is often used as a natural supplement for lungs and respiratory tract concerns, including croup, bronchitis and asthma. Some of oregano's compounds may help support easier breathing by reducing coughing and spasms in the airways.

7. Citrus Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids (Citrus): Bioflavonoids occur naturally in oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruits. Bioflavonoids also act as antioxidants that protect your lungs and other areas of your body from free radical damage. Citrus bioflavonoids may help support respiratory comfort and is associated with managing symptoms like those seen in asthma and similar conditions.

8. Opti-Zinc 20Mg

Zinc is an essential mineral that is found mainly in animal products, including red meat, poultry and shellfish. It can also found in smaller quantities in legumes. Zinc is one of the supplements for lung inflammation worth knowing, since getting enough may help lower your chances of lower respiratory tract infections by supporting several immune functions, such as protecting respiratory cells when the lungs are inflamed or injured.

9. Vitamin C

Most people think of oranges and citrus fruits when they think about vitamin C consumption, but several other foods are also sources, including cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe and strawberries. Research shows that vitamin C may protect the lungs in several ways that reduce the chances of lung infections and help in the prevention of COPD.

The RDA for vitamin C is 75 mg a day for women and 90 mg for men. Smoking uses up vitamin C faster.

10. NAC

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a supplement that does not have a natural source. It is derived from L-cysteine, which is an amino acid, and has been especially successful in helping COPD patients manage their symptoms. It can be used for other lung conditions or respiratory infections because it helps reduce mucus discharge.

You can find the vitamins, minerals and herbs listed above in many of the foods you eat, but it's sometimes difficult to get everything your respiratory system needs on a daily basis. The best lung support supplement for you may help fill those gaps so you get the nutrients you need for optimal respiratory health.

Other Steps You Can Take to Promote Lung Health

Supplements work best when you combine them with other healthy habits. Here are some examples of habits that improve lung health:

• Get plenty of exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Practice deep breathing exercises.
• Stay hydrated.
• Don't smoke.
• Avoid indoor pollutants.
• Maintain good hygiene to prevent infections.
• Go to your doctor for regular check-ups.

Healthy lungs are important all year long, but you need to take special care to keep them strong in the winter. Taking vitamins and supplements and following healthy habits can ensure your respiratory system runs smoothly throughout the year.

Contact Village Green Apothecary to speak with an expert about any questions you have about supplements for lung health.

Photos from here and here, with thanks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vitamins is good for your lungs?

Vitamins A, C and D are the vitamins for breathing and lung health that are studied most often. Vitamin A may help support the repair of lung tissue, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, and vitamin D may help support your defenses against respiratory infections. Food comes first, and a supplement can help fill the gaps. Be sure to check with your healthcare practitioner for the correct dosage.

What supplements support lung health?

Some research also shows that zinc, quercetin, turmeric, citrus bioflavonoids, and NAC may help support your respiratory system, in addition to vitamins A, C, and D. They each work a bit differently, as some are antioxidants, some support your immune system, and some may help thin mucus. Check with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements to determine which ones are appropriate for you.

What supplements help lung function?

The connection between NAC and turmeric with better breathing is likely due to their ability to clear mucus from the lungs. Quercetin and vitamin C are associated with lower rates of some respiratory issues. Dietary supplements should be used as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise, proper breathing techniques and no smoking.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.