Introduction
Virtually all of us take the ability to get a good breath of air for granted. However, for people suffering from chronic sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease, and other diseases of the respiratory tract an effortless breath of air is greatly appreciated.

One of most important features of healthy airways is the elasticity and fluidity of the respiratory tract secretions. If the mucus is too thick and viscous, it creates a scenario that fosters blocked airways and difficulty in breathing. Fortunately there are safe and effective natural products that can improve these secretions and as a result lead to easier breathing. For example, the components of Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health from Natural Factors are especially useful in supporting the health of the respiratory passages.

Each tablet of Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health contains:

N-acetylcysteine .......................................... 200 mg
Bromelain (1,000 GDU) ....................................100 mg
Marshmallow root extract ................................100 mg
Mullein extract ..............................................100 mg
Wild cherry bark extract ..... ............................100 mg
Horehound extract 50 mg Ivy ct .........................50 mg
Ivy extract ....................... .............................50 mg

Warnings:

An acute asthma attack can be a medical emergency. If you are suffering from an acute attack, consult your physician or an emergency room immediately. Persistent cough may indicate a serious condition. Consult your physician if cough persists for more than one week, recurs, or is accompanied by high fever, rash or persistent headache.

N-acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the naturally occurring amino acid, cysteine. NAC has an extensive history of use as a mucolytic in the treatment of acute and chronic lung conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, chronic asthma, and cystic fibrosis. It directly splits the sulfur linkages of mucoproteins thereby reducing viscosity of bronchial and lung secretions. As a result it improves bronchial and lung function, reduces cough, and improves oxygen saturation in the blood.

NAC is helpful in all lung and respiratory tract disorders, especially chronic bronchitis and COPD. In detailed analysis of 39 trials it has been concluded that oral NAC reduces the risk of exacerbations (severe worsening) and improves symptoms in patients with chronic bronchitis compared with a placebo.^1,2

In addition to its effects as a mucolytic, NAC can increase the manufacturer of glutathione - a major antioxidant for the entire respiratory tract and lungs.

Although somewhat effective on its own, NAC works best when combined with herbal expectorants like extracts of ivy,wild cherry bark, mullein, and horehound); the enzyme bromelain; and marshmallow extract a soothing demulcent that soothes irritated mucous membranes.

Ivy extract
In addition to NAC, clinical studies have also shown extracts of ivy leaf to produce meaningful improvements in lung and bronchial conditions. Ivy leaf has a long history of use in asthma and COPD. Its mechanism based on recent clinical research is through its ability to reduce bronchial spasm and improve respiratory secretions. Several double-blind studies have shown that ivy extract improves lung function and reduces asthma attacks.^3,4 These studies included double-blind studies in children. For example, in one double-blind study 25 children aged 10-15 years with asthma demonstrated improvements in lung capacity after 10 days of treatment with ivy extract. Improvements were shown to be clinically relevant and statistically significant 3 hours after administration of ivy extract on the 10th day of treatment. Results from this study and others indicates that ivy extract requires some time to work, but can produce clinical improvement in bronchial asthma and COPD.

Bromelain
Bromelain refers to a group of sulfur-containing enzymes that digest protein (proteolytic enzymes or proteases) obtained from the pineapple plant (Ananas comusus). Bromelain has been shown to exert several effects of benefit in clearing the airways, suppressing coughs, and reducing the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions. Patients with chronic bronchitis examined with a spirometer (a specialized apparatus for determining respiratory function) before and after bromelain treatment showed increased lung capacity and function.⁵ These favorable effects were believed to be the results of a respiratory decongesting effect. Bromelain is also helpful in acute sinusitis.⁶

Dosage
The benefits of formulas like Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health are often seen immediately. For adults and children over 12 years of age, the dosage is one or two tablets three times daily. For children 6 to 12 years of age, one tablet up to three times daily. The formula is not recommended for children under six years of age unless recommended by a physician.

 

References:

1. Stey C, Steurer J, Bachmann S, Medici TC, Tramer MR. The effect of oral N-acetylcysteine in chronic bronchitis: a quantitative systematic review. Eur Respir J 2000;16(2):253-62.
2. Grandjean EM, Berthet P, Ruffmann R, Leuenberger P. Efficacy of oral long-term N-acetylcysteine in chronic bronchopulmonary disease: a meta-analysis of published double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Clin Ther 2000;22(2):209-21.
3. Mansfeld HJ, Hohre H, Repges R, et al. Therapy of bronchial asthma with dried ivy leaf. Münch Med Wschr 1998;140:26-30.
4. Gulyas A, Repges R, Dethlefsen U. Systematic therapy of chronic obstructive respiratory disease in children. Atem Lungen 23:291-4, 1997.
5. Rimoldi R, Ginesu , Giura R. The use of bromelain in pneumological therapy. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1978;4:55-66.
6. Ryan R. A double-blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13-7.

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Michael T. Murray, N.D., is widely regarded as one of world's leading authorities on natural medicine. A prolific author, Dr. Murray has written over 20 books on health and nutrition including the best-selling Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine and his latest book The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. Dr. Murray is also Director of Product Development and Education for Natural Factors one of the leading manufacturers of natural products.