10 Supplements for Stronger Lungs and Easier Breathing

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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.

Supplements that boost lung health range from vitamins to minerals to nutraceuticals and herbs.

Oxidative stress is a prominent contributor to lung infection, and studies show that vitamin C can limit inflammation. An analysis of a group of studies found that vitamin C supplementation significantly lowered the death rate in people with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as well as the severity of the disease. However, large-scale studies are necessary to validate the results.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by progressive airway obstruction. Studies have shown that supplementing vitamin C in people with COPD can improve lung function by decreasing oxidative damage. Larger and more diverse study populations are necessary to clarify the results.

Besides maintaining bone health and aiding calcium absorption, vitamin D is vital for immunity and inflammation.

One study showed that vitamin D3 supplementation did not protect against upper respiratory infections but did protect against moderate or severe COPD exacerbation in those with low blood levels of vitamin D. The study was limited in that vitamin D was dosed intermittently in the trials as opposed to daily. Further studies are necessary to compare the effects of these two dosing regimens on clinical outcomes.

Similarly, a review of the results from a group of studies revealed that vitamin D supplements reduced asthma exacerbation in participants with low blood levels of vitamin D. Further studies are necessary to explore if vitamin D would reduce worsening asthma in those with normal vitamin D levels.

Vitamin E is a potent fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A review of studies suggests that dietary vitamin E intake may reduce the risk of lung cancer by reducing oxidative stress. The results may not apply to other regions because the studies were limited to America, Europe, and Asia.

Vitamin E supplementation has also been shown to improve lung function in people with exercise-induced asthma, a condition in which the airway narrows during physical activity.

The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in reducing lung inflammation. Several studies have indicated that omega-3 fatty acids improve lung function and reduce the length of stay in intensive care units (ICU) for people with acute lung injury caused by trauma, shock, or serious infection. However, larger studies are necessary to confirm the results.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is known as an antidote for Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdose and is also a mucolytic (a drug that thins and loosens mucus), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant agent.

Due to its ability to thin mucus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have approved NAC as a treatment of choice in cystic fibrosis. This genetic disease causes a build-up of thick mucus. In COPD, treatment with NAC has been shown to reduce the worsening of the condition.

Bronchiectasis is a lung condition in which the airways become damaged, increasing the risk of lung infections. Treatment with NAC can reduce airway inflammation and improve lung function. Larger clinical trials are warranted to confirm such promising preliminary results.

Though the FDA has approved NAC for the treatment of Tylenol overdose and as a mucolytic agent for respiratory diseases, it is also available as an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement. However, according to the FDA, NAC is excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because it was approved as a drug before it was marketed as a supplement. Even though such a claim from the FDA caused pushback from the dietary supplement industry, NAC is currently sold as a dietary supplement.

Though specific asthma guidelines do not recommend the routine use of magnesium sulfate for asthma exacerbations, magnesium sulfate given intravenously (through the vein) can be taken when standard treatments have failed. However, findings on treating acute asthma with intravenous magnesium sulfate are conflicting.

Mullein has been used in Spanish folk medicine to treat various ailments, including respiratory problems, such as the following:

Mullein's relief properties may be due to its anti-cough and expectorant (an agent that loosens and thins mucus) effects.

Though rigorous human clinical studies on mullein are necessary, a test-tube study found that mullein extract blocks the growth of bacteria involved in respiratory infections.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Boswellia has traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat cough, asthma, and other chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

One study showed that Boswellia reduces the need for inhalation therapy with corticosteroids and medications that help open up the airways in people with asthma, suggesting that Boswellia might help control the inflammation process in asthma.

Laboratory studies indicated that boswellic acids reduce the production of inflammatory markers that destroy lung tissues. Due to its anti-inflammatory activities, Boswellia may be beneficial for preventing lung lesions caused by COVID-19. However, clinical studies are necessary to confirm the results.

Emerging evidence suggests a meaningful connection between the gut microbiome and the lungs, called the “gut-lung axis.” In one study, the probiotic formula consisting of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains and Pediococcus acidilactici strain has been shown to reduce COVID-19 symptom duration, viral load, and lung infiltrates. The study subjects were of Hispanic ethnicity; the results may not apply to other populations. Studies involving a diverse population are needed to clarify the results.

Synbiotics, which refer to a combination of probiotics (beneficial live microorganisms) and prebiotics (food for the probiotics), have been found to prevent respiratory tract infections based on a review of several studies. Further studies investigating the optimal doses, types of prebiotics, and probiotic strains are warranted.

Naturally found in certain foods such as apples and onions, quercetin is a flavonoid compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In people with COVID-19, supplementation of quercetin phytosome (the form of quercetin with enhanced absorption) has been shown to increase the virus's clearance, reduce symptom recurrence, and improve disease biomarkers. However, larger and more rigorous studies are necessary to validate these preliminary results.

When choosing a lung health supplement, look for independent certifications that verify that the supplements comply with specific quality standards.

It is also essential to read the ingredients to ensure that the supplement does not contain any ingredients you are allergic to and to follow the directions on the label on how to take such a supplement appropriately.

Suppose you have certain medical conditions or take prescription or over-the-counter medications or other dietary supplements. In that case, you may wish to speak with your healthcare provider to check for any disease-supplement, drug-supplement, or supplement-supplement interactions.

Before taking any supplements for lung health, check the ingredients on the supplement label and avoid any ingredients that you are allergic to.

Some people may need to exercise additional caution when taking specific supplements.

Some supplements may interact with medications or other supplements, such as the following:

Some supplements may have side effects, such as the following:

Besides taking supplements, you can implement lifestyle tips to support lung health, including the following:

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any breathing problems or symptoms related to a lung condition.

Some symptoms to watch out for include:

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements the way it regulates prescription medications. As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label. When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as NSF, U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab.com. For personalized guidance, consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.

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.

Discussing your breathing symptoms with your healthcare provider and incorporating some healthy lifestyle changes to help support your lung health is important.

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