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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

En Español (Spanish Version)

Related Terms

Chronic Bronchitis; COPD; Emphysema

Principal Proposed Natural Treatments

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

Other Proposed Natural Treatments

Acupuncture; Antioxidant-rich Diet ; Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine; L-Carnitine; Coenzyme Q10; Creatine; Echinacea (in Combination With Wild Indigo and White Pine) ; Essential Oil Monoterpenes; Fish Oil; High-fat, Low-carbohydrate Diet; Ivy Leaf; Plantain; Qigong

Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Herbs and Supplements to Use Only With Caution
References

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a permanent lung condition caused, most often, by cigarette smoking. It starts with a wheezing cough and gradually progresses to a shortness of breath that accompanies even the slightest exertion, such as dressing or eating. COPD encompasses both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema consists of the destruction of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs and the weakening of the support structure around them. This leads to a collapse of the small airways in the lungs, especially on inhalation, and reduces the body's ability to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.

Chronic bronchitis consists of chronic inflammation of the airways, causing a persistent productive cough. This inflammation also impairs the body's ability to exchange new air for old. COPD also involves spasm of the airways similar to what occurs in asthma. Finally, occasional flare-ups occur when bacteria grow in the lungs, leading to acute exacerbation of symptoms.

Because cigarette smoking contributes to both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, anyone who has COPD should stop smoking. Quitting smoking won't reverse the condition, but it might stop COPD from getting worse. Airborne irritants such as chemical fumes exacerbate symptoms and should also be avoided. Standard treatment for COPD includes using bronchodilators, such as ipratropium and albuterol, to reduce muscle spasms, and corticosteroids to control inflammation in the airways. Acute flare-ups are treated with antibiotics. Severe COPD may require continuous oxygen therapy.

Malnutrition is common among people with COPD and seems to correspond to the severity of the condition.^1,2 It's been suggested that the caloric needs of people with COPD increase as the disease progresses.³ Because malnutrition in turn can worsen lung function and make people more prone to infection, many researchers now recommend that individuals with COPD receive supplemental nutrition as part of their treatment.^4,5

Principal Proposed Natural Treatments

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may improve breathing in people with COPD.

NAC is a specially modified form of the dietary amino acid cysteine. Regular use of NAC may diminish the number of severe bronchitis attacks. A review and meta-analysis of available research focused on 8 reasonably well-designed double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of NAC in COPD.^7-15 The results of these studies, involving a total of about 1,400 individuals, suggest that NAC taken daily at a dose of 400 to 1,200 mg can reduce the number of acute attacks of severe bronchitis. However, a subsequent 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 523 people with COPD failed to find benefit with 600 mg of NAC daily.³⁵

NAC was once thought to aid lung conditions by helping to break up mucus. However, continuing research has tended to cast doubt on this explanation of its action.

For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full NAC article.

Other Proposed Natural Treatments

Evidence from three double-blind placebo-controlled studies enrolling a total of 49 individuals suggests that the supplement L-carnitine can improve exercise tolerance in COPD, presumably by improving muscular efficiency in the lungs and other muscles.^19-21

Eucalyptus is a standard ingredient in cough drops and in oils sometimes added to humidifiers. A combination essential oil therapy containing cineole from eucalyptus, d-limonene from citrus fruit, and alpha-pinene from pine has been studied for a variety of respiratory conditions. Because these oils are all in a chemical family called monoterpenes, the treatment is called essential oil monoterpenes. A 3-month, double-blind trial of 246 individuals with chronic bronchitis found that oral treatment with essential oil monoterpenes helped prevent acute flare-ups of chronic bronchitis.²⁷ A previous double-blind study, too small to provide reliable results, hints that oral use of essential oil monoterpenes can enhance the effects of antibiotics for acute flare-ups once they do occur.²⁶ It is thought that essential oil monoterpenes work by improving the lungs’ ability to clear secretions.²⁸

A mixture of extracts from echinacea, wild indigo, and white cedar has shown promise for treating a variety of respiratory infections. A well-designed double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 53 people tested its benefits in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.⁶ All participants in this trial received standard antibiotic therapy. The results showed that people receiving the herbal medication experienced more rapid improvements in lung function than those given placebo.

In one poorly designed and reported study, use of an Ayurvedic herbal combination appeared to offer some benefit.³⁶

It has been suggested that the sports supplement creatine might improve muscle strength in people with COPD, but results from small double-blind studies have been inconsistent.^37-38,40,41

Slight evidence from a small open trial suggests that coenzyme Q₁₀ improves lung function in individuals with COPD.²²

The herbs ivy leaf and plantain have been suggested for chronic bronchitis, but there is no meaningful evidence that they actually help. One study failed to find pomegranate juice helpful for COPD.³⁹

Observational studies suggest a correlation between respiratory problems and diets low in antioxidants from food, such as vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene.^29-33 However, such studies don't prove that taking supplements of such nutrients will help—only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can do that. (For information on the reasons why, see Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Studies?) Indeed, a double-blind study of vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation found no effect on COPD symptoms.³⁴

The effects of other antioxidant supplements on COPD haven't yet been studied.

Evidence from several studies suggests that the standard approved diet, low in fat and high in carbohydrates, worsens exercise performance and lung function in people with COPD, whereas a low-carbohydrate diet may improve COPD symptoms.^23-25 Carbohydrates cause the body to produce increased amounts of carbon dioxide, and people with COPD have trouble getting rid of carbon dioxide.

Qigong is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese Medicine consisting of deep breathing accompanied by slow, rhythmic movements. It is intended to promote the healthy flow of "qi" (or vital "energy") within the body. In a randomized trial involving 206 patients with COPD, Qigong appeared to improve respiratory function and activity tolerance.⁴² In another trial, 80 people with COPD were randomized to receive Qigong or conventional rehabilitation for 6 months. At the end of the trial, there were no significant differences between the two groups.⁴³ Researchers have also studied the potential benefits of acupuncture in people with COPD. Sixty-eight adults were randomized to receive acupuncture or sham (fake) acupuncture once a week for 12 weeks.⁴⁴ Those who received the real treatment experienced less shortness of breath after an exercise test compared to the control group.

Herbs and Supplements to Use Only With Caution

Various herbs and supplements may interact adversely with drugs used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For more information on these potential risks, see the individual drug article in the Drug Interactions section of this database.

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Last reviewed July 2012 by EBSCO CAM Review Board

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.