Interstitial lung disease, or ILD, is characterized by inflamed or scarred lung tissue. If you have ILD, you probably have a difficult time catching your breath, especially after exercising. You may also experience a chronic dry cough. Herbs, vitamins and an amino acid precursor called N-acetylcysteine may reduce inflammation and stimulate immune system function. Consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your regimen.
Interstitial Lung Disease
The category of interstitial lung disease encompasses more than 130 lung conditions, according to the National Jewish Hospital website. ILD occurs when the tissue of tiny blood vessels and air sacs in your lung becomes inflamed and scarred by repeated injury. When this happens, your body is unable to get sufficient oxygen. This in turn affects the function of your organs, such as your heart. Causes can include exposure to toxins such as asbestos and silica, infection, radiation and tobacco smoke.
Vitamins
If you have a form of interstitial lung disease, you need to ensure your immune system is functioning well and can fight off toxins that tax your body. Antioxidant vitamins, including C and E, increase immune system response and prevent damage to the DNA in your cells by fighting oxidation. Oxidation can be a risk factor in disease such as lung disease, explains the Preventative Health Guide website. This process happens when oxygen molecules called free radicals cause other molecules to become unstable by stealing their electrons. Other factors, including a poor diet, environmental toxins and radiation, can also cause oxidation.
Herbs
Often the first line of treatment for ILD is steroids, which are anti-inflammatory drugs. Herbs such as ginger, turmeric and boswellia can reduce inflammation as well. According to Deepak Chopra, M.D., author of the 2000 book "The Chopra Center Herbal Handbook," both turmeric and boswellia, also called Indian frankincense, interfere with the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that trigger your body's inflammation response, which is a reaction to tissue damage, according to Charles E. Ophardt of Elmhurst College. Ginger is another herb that can diminish pain and inflammation as stated in a study published in "Phytotherapy Research" in September 2006.
N-acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, is a forerunner of the amino acid cysteine, explains a January 2011 article in "Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience." Cysteine plays an important part in metabolism and also acts as an antioxidant. NAC has demonstrated an ability to treat oxidative stress, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Studies have shown some improvement in lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with NAC. Side effects of NAC can include nausea and upset stomach.
References
- National Jewish Hospital: Interstitial Lung Disease
- Elmhurst College; Prostaglandins; Charles E. Ophardt; 2003
- "Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience"; Getting a Knack for NAC: N-Acetyl-Cysteine; Randy A. Sansone, M.D.; January 2011
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Analgesic, Antiinflammatory and Hypoglycaemic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Zingiber Officinale (Roscoe) Rhizomes (Zingiberaceae) in Mice and Rats; J.A. Ojewole; September 2006
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: N-Acetylcysteine
- Preventative Health Guide: Understanding Oxidative Stress
