DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: EMPHYSEMA

Description: Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by a loss of elasticity of the lung tissue. Stale air remains trapped in the lungs, preventing the needed exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Symptoms: The most common symptom of emphysema is breathlessness followed by coughing during exertion, no matter how slight. A person with emphysema cannot exhale without great effort. Symptoms may not occur until middle age, when the individual’s ability to exercise or do heavy work begins to decline, and a productive cough begins. The symptoms may be subtle at first, but worsen with time.

Incidence:

Causes: Long-term cigarette smoking is the single most common cause of emphysema. Smoking causes chronic low-level inflammation of the lungs which increases the chance of developing this disease. In rare cases, emphysema is due to a deficiency of a blood protein called antitrypsin.

Treatments: There is no known cure for emphysema. Quitting smoking is essential. Proper diet, nutritional supplementation and herbal remedies can be beneficial.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Coenzyme Q10	60 mg. daily	A powerful antioxidant; enhances oxygen in the lungs.
Free-form amino acid complex	As directed on label.	Important for repair of lung tissue.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily, with meals.	An immunity enhancer for protein against pneumonia.
L-cysteine And L-methionine	500 mg. each twice daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, on an empty stomach. Do not take with milk.	To aid in repairing damaged lung tissue and act as antioxidants protecting lung tissue.
Vitamin A emulsion or Capsules Plus Natural beta-carotene	100,000 IU daily for 1 month, then 50,000 IU daily until relief is achieved; then reduce to 25,000 IU daily.	Needed for repair of lung tissues and for the immune system.
Vitamin E Capsules	Start with 400 IU daily and increase slowly to 1600 IU daily. If you have heart problems, start with 200 IU daily and increase slowly to 800 IU daily.	An oxygen carrier and potent antioxidant. A deficiency can lead to destruction of cell membranes.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids	5000-10,000 mg. daily in divided doses.	Strengthens immune response and aids healing of inflamed tissue.
Licorice extract		See under Herbs, below.

Herbs:

	Licorice extract increases energy levels and helps to improve organ function. Use an alcohol-free extract. Caution: If overused, licorice can elevate blood pressure. Do not use on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row, and avoid it completely if you have high blood pressure.
	Coltsfoot tea is effective in helping raise and eliminate mucous.
	Anise oil mixed with honey is very beneficial taken before each meal.
	Ephedra tea quiets bronchospasms. Caution: Do not use ephedra if you suffer from anxiety, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, or if you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drug for depression.
	Comfrey, alfalfa, mullein tea, fennel seed, rosehips and rosemary are other beneficial herbs which can be used.

Recommendations:

	If you have emphysema, you must quit smoking. Also avoid all contact with tobacco and areas where people are smoking, and do not allow smoking in your home or car.
	Eat a diet consisting of 50% raw foods. The other 50% should consist of soups, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, brown rice, millet, and whole grain cereals.
	Raw juices from fruits including grapes, oranges, lemons and black currants are beneficial. Raw vegetable juices such as carrot, spinach, celery and watercress are also recommended. Add a small amount of garlic juice to them.
	Hot and spicy foods such as garlic, onions, chili peppers, horseradish and mustard are beneficial.
	Upon arising, take 1 teaspoonful of pure, cold-pressed olive oil mixed in apple juice. Also avoid the typical American breakfast and sip hot, clear liquids such as herbal teas in the morning to help clear mucus from the airways.
	Avoid mucous-forming foods such as dairy products, eggs, meat, processed foods, "junk foods," and white flour products.
	Avoid fried and greasy foods, and salt.
	Also avoid foods that require a great deal of chewing, such as meats and nuts. Chronic lung disease can make it difficult to breathe while chewing.
	Avoid air pollution. If your current work environment is dirty, dusty, or toxic to inhale, change jobs.
	If you must live in a hot, humid climate, continuous use of central air conditioning is essential, as is an air-conditioned car.
	Get plenty of fresh air and rest, and avoid stress.

Considerations:

The fur and hair from animals can irritate the lungs.

Warm castor oil packs on the chest and back can help reduce mucus. Dip a piece of cheesecloth or other white cotton material into warm castor oil until the cloth is saturated. Apply the cloth to the affected area and cover it with a piece of plastic that is larger in size than the cotton cloth. Then place a warm cloth or a hot water bottle on top. Keep the pack in place for one-half to two hours, as needed.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No	Description	Comments	Cost
946-12	Coenzyme Q10 30 mg. capsules	2 capsules daily.	$13.95/60
NS60ONS	Amino acid free-form 600 mg. capsules	As directed on label.	$17.95/100
978-15	Garlic 400 mg. odor free tabs.	2 tablets 3 times daily.	$5.50/100
925-15	Beta-carotene 25,000 IU softgels	1 softgel daily	$5.95/100
234-15	Vitamin E 400 IU softgels (D-alpha tocopheryl)	1 or 2 softgels daily	$8.95/100
970-12	Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rose hips tables	1 tablet 3 times daily	$5.75/60
091-15	Citrus bioflavonoid 1000 mg. tablets	As directed on label.	$5.95/100
911-15	Licorice root capsules 500 mg.	As directed on label.	$6.95/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group

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