Nutrition IV - Common Ailments in Clinic - Respiratory Infections

Question 1

Nutritional recommendations

Answer 1

• Naturopathic Nutrition is aimed at supporting the individuals immune system, providing direct anti-microbial agents, whilst also aiding the removal of waste materials (e.g. coughing)
• Gaseous exchange in the lungs can be impaired by excess mucus production. Support with mucolytics and expectorants
• Mucolytics changes the viscosity of mucus enabling easier expulsion (e.g. garlic, onions)
• Expectorants improve clearance of mucus from the lungs by either altering production and viscosity of mucus or improving the cough reflex (e.g. thyme, fennel)

Question 2

Respiratory infections

Answer 2

Respiratory infections (E.g. colds, influenza, tonsillitis) are most commonly viral, although can be bacterial infections
* Pathogens ‘take hold’ when the terrain permits it
* Infections often often self-limiting, and recovery is supported with rest, keeping warm, good fluid intake and nutritious food that is easy to digests – soups, broths, fresh juices
* Fever is an important part of the immune response– it up-regulates key components of the immune system
* Fever creates an unfavourable environment for viruses and bacteria to replicate and survive
* Support, rather than suppress a fever under 39.5° C

Question 3

Zinc

Answer 3

Zinc (25 – 100 mg / day)

• Food sources:
  o Sesame seeds
  o Pumpkin seeds
  o Cashews
  o Lentils
  o Chickpeas
  o Oats
  o Quinoa
  o Brown rice
  o Oysters
  o Sardines
  o Salmon
• Functions:
  o Required for maintaining integrity of mucous membranes in the respiratory tract
  o Increases phagocyte, natural killer cells T- and B-cell activity
  o Anti-inflammatory (decreases inflammatory cytokines; e.g. interleukin-6 and TNF a)

Question 4

Vitamin A

Answer 4

Vitamin A

• Animal sources:
  o Liver
  o Fish liver oils
  o Egg yolk
  o Oily fish
• Plant sources:
  o Carrots
  o Sweet potato
  o Squash
• Functions:
  o Reduces inflammation in the lungs
  o Maintains integrity of mucus membranes, supporting the first line of immune defence
  o Enhances T-cell proliferation and interleukin-2 secretion

Question 5

Vitamins C

Answer 5

Vitamin C (500 – 10,000 mg / day in divided doses):

• Food sources:
  o Peppers
  o Broccoli
  o Kale
  o Cauliflower
  o Tomatoes
  o Kiwifruit
  o Strawberry
  o Citrus fruits
• Function:
  o Supports immune function– increases T cells, interferons and natural killer cells
  o Decreases oxidative stress and inflammation of the airways
  o Reduces risk of infection and decreases duration and severity of existing infection

Question 6

Vitamin D

Answer 6

Vitamin D (600 – 4,000 iu / day)

• Source: Sunlight
• Food sources:
  o Mushrooms (good sun exposure)
  o Cod-liver oil
  o Oily fish
  o Egg yolks
• Function:
  o Inhibit inflammatory responses in the lungs
  o Enhances the innate immune system
  o Produces antibacterial peptides (proteins) to help fight infections

Question 7

N-acetyl cysteine

Answer 7

N-acetyl Cysteine (600 mg – 1.5 g / day):

• A derivative of the amino acid cysteine which is found in:
  o Legumes
  o Sunflower seeds
  o Eggs
  o Chickens
• Functions:
  o Expectorant properties breaking up mucus to aid easier elimination (breaks disulphide bonds in mucoproteins)
  o Particularly useful for lower respiratory tract infections where mucus is tenacious and difficult to move

Question 8

Reichi mushroom

Answer 8

Reishi Mushroom (3 – 9 g / day):
* Non-edible (Bitter/woody:
o Use as a powder in food, tea or capsules
* Functions:
o Increase the number and activity of numerous immune cells including T-lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells
o Anti-viral activity against Epstein- Barr virus
o A ‘tonic’ – Restore energy and vitality

Question 9

Shiitake mushroom

Answer 9

Shiitake mushroom (1.5 – 10 g / day)

• Sources:
  o Use as a powder or include in the diet (raw or likely cook)
• Functions:
  o Increases phagocytes, T-lymphocyte and NK cells. Also increases interferons synthesis (anti-viral proteins)
  o Contains zinc, provitamin D (ergosterol)
  o Restores energy

Question 10

Other considerations

Answer 10

• Rosemary: Antimicrobial and circulatory stimulant
• Garlic: Antimicrobial, Mucolytic (thins mucus enabling it to become coughed up)
• Lemon: A good source of vitamins C
• Onions: contain phytonutrients and vitamins C that supporting immunity; the sulphur compounds help to thin mucus to enable expulsion
• Thyme: antimicrobial, expectorant
• Manuka honey: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, soothing
• Ginger: reduces inflammation, has antiseptic properties, is a circulatory stimulant (help to deliver nutrients to body tissues), is warming and promote sweating to manage (not suppress) fever