Respiratory Wellness

Your Lungs and the Coronavirus.

While important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to strengthen our lungs, sometimes we cannot
prevent bacteria and viruses from attacking our respiratory system causing pneumonia.
Pneumonia associated with the Coronavirus, COVID-19, is both severe and damaging to lung
tissues.

What happens to our lungs when we get pneumonia? What about COVID-19?

With pneumonia, the lungs become filled with fluid, leading to breathing difficulties. For some
people, breathing problems can become severe enough to require hospitalization, however,
most people recover at home with rest, and where bacterial pneumonia is present, antibiotic
coverage is prescribed. In COVID-19 the virus tends to take hold in both lungs, and the air sacs
in the lungs fill with fluid, limiting their ability to take in oxygen and causing shortness of
breath, cough, and other symptoms. While most people recover from pneumonia without any
lasting lung damage, pneumonia associated with COVID-19 can be severe, and even require
ventilation. Even after the virus has passed, lung injury may result in breathing difficulties and
other related symptoms such as smell sensation and coughing may take multiple months to go
away. Preliminary studies found that pulmonary scarring and pulmonary fibrosis are caused by
the virus. (NCBI, Researchgate)
With ongoing research into the long-term effects on our lungs following the COVID-19 virus, it is
more important now than ever to strengthen and improve our lung function.

So what can we do to strengthen our lungs?

Supplementation:

-RespFX Lung Cleanse by Alpha Science is a wonderful supplement using traditional Chinese
Medicine herbals that opens up airways and improves breathing.
Metagenics PhytoMulti Capsules a proprietary blend of 13 concentrated extracts and
phytonutrients with scientifically tested biological activity to support cellular health and overall
wellness.
–Designs for Health N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) improves lung function, oxygen saturation in the
blood, reduces symptoms, increases the manufacturing of Glutathione, the most powerful
antioxidant
-Quercetin by Pure Encapsulations has an anti-inflammatory effect on the lungs and promotes
lung health

What are good foods to promote lung health?

Foods high in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals such as magnesium and
selenium will help to reduce oxidative stress on the lungs, promote healing, and reduce
inflammation.

– Fresh organic fruits: blueberries, apples, pineapple
-Fresh organic vegetables: dark leafy greens (spinach, beet greens, swiss chard) peppers,
cabbage, broccoli, beets
-Fermented foods: Greek yogurt, kimchi (great recipe available on our website), organic
tempeh, kombucha, sauerkraut
-Garlic contains quercetin which helps improve lung health and overall immunity
– nuts and seeds: contain good sources of zinc, omegas, vitamin E, selenium, and magnesium
-Brazil nuts: improve respiratory function in people with asthma, and enhance antioxidant
defenses and immune function, which may help improve lung health. 4 Brazil nuts contain
150% of our daily required selenium
-turmeric tea or spices: reduces inflammation in your respiratory tract. It contains an element
called curcumin which keeps the lungs healthy and makes them naturally strong. Along with
this, it boosts immunity by removing the toxins present in the body.
-peppermint tea: reduces the inflammation due to lung infection and is very soothing
-ginger tea: helpful in clearing toxins from the respiratory tract, and immunity is strengthened
by consuming ginger tea as it is rich in potassium, magnesium, and zinc

What do you need to let go of? The psychology behind lung disease:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the lungs are believed to be connected to grief and the
following conditions: Emotions: Grief, sadness, and detachment.
What can we do to let go of grief and sadness?
-daily meditation
-balance our chakras
-journaling
“When the breath is unsteady, all is unsteady; when the breath is still; all is still. Control the
breath carefully. Inhalation gives strength and a controlled body; retention gives steadiness of
mind and longevity; exhalation purifies body and spirit.” – Goraksasathakam

Other tips to improve lung capacity:

-get out of the city and explore the great outdoors! Breath in some fresh air!
-daily walks in nature
-deep breathing several times a day (breath in to expand your lungs fully, hold your breath for
5-10 seconds to start, and slowly exhale)
-yoga

References:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6237948_Pulmonary_pathological_features_in_cor
onavirus_associated_severe_acute_respiratory_syndrome_SARS
Kommoss, Felix K F et al. “The Pathology of Severe COVID-19-Related Lung Damage.” Deutsches
Arzteblatt international vol. 117,29-30 (2020): 500-506. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2020.0500

Blog Written By:  Kacia Mongeau

for more information or to order any of these products, click on the product links in this blog or contact us at info@nutritiondispensary.ca