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Alternative Treatments for COPD

© Floyd Tilton

Statistics show that approximately 11% of the population suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. While the traditional treatments of inhalers and other medications work in the majority of cases, it does not cure the condition. In fact, nothing can cure COPD. There are some patients, however, who do not respond adequately to these traditional treatments. In those cases, some authorities recommend supplements to help loosen the mucus that is the result of COPD. These supplements include these substances:

• Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg, 3 times a day
• Alpha-lipoic acid, 250 mg, twice a day
• Acetyl-L-carnitine, 1000 mg, twice a day
• NADH, 5 mg, twice a day
• Taurine, 1000 mg, twice a day
• Magnesium, 500 mg of elemental magnesium, once a day
• Potassium, if needed

Along with the supplements, it is important to monitor your Vitamin A status, since studies have shown that the severity of COPD is directly related to Vitamin A intake. Other studies have shown that the serum levels of Vitamin A are below normal in the individual with COPD.

Overall, COPD is one of the most limiting conditions in terms of daily activities for its patients. Due to the respiratory problems, these patients often can not do such things as walk long distances, climb stairs or perform daily work activities. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 85,000 people die from COPD and its related complications each year in the United States alone. In terms of lost productivity, it is estimated that COPD costs the economy over $1 Billion each year in the United States.

While smoking has been listed as the major cause of COPD, recent research has shown that some individuals have a genetic weakness that can lead to COPD. About 2 out of every 1000 Americans have inherited an enzyme deficiency known as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD or AAT deficiency). The deficiency leads to A1AD-related emphysema when the liver produces insufficient AAT to control a natural enzyme known as neutrophil elastase. Though neutrophil elastase is important in fighting bacteria, it eventually causes irreversible damage to the alveoli by damaging or destroying their elastic fibers, if there is not enough AAT to neutralize it.

There are between 20,000 and 40,000 Americans with A1AD-related emphysema. For AAT-deficient individuals who smoke, the risk of developing emphysema is much greater than for the general population. A1AD-related emphysema usually strikes people in their thirties or forties and is very rarely seen in children. The earlier age of onset and the fact that A1AD-related emphysema often shows up first in the lower rather than upper lung are factors used to diagnose this variety of the disease.