Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:39 am   Reply with quote      

My father is suffering from some sort of pulmonary problem that doctors are a little vague about. However, it seems to range from Pulmonary Fibrosis to Asthma to Bronchtiectisis and so on. I would like to know if there is a diet he might be able to follow (no pills) to help him reduce the mucous build up in his lungs. Right now he is in the hospital.

Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:21 pm   Reply with quote      

There are some basic dietary foods that can help to minimize mucus in the body. According to Dr. John Christopher (an herbalist) one should concentrate on the following foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fresh fish and chemical free chicken. It would be best to stay away from refined white sugar and refined white flour and products made from them. Also eliminate dairy and wheat. Since your father is in the hospital it is more challenging to create a healthy diet for him. If it is possible for you to cook soups and broths for him that is ideal. A book – The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates has many wonderful and easy soup recipes. The following recipe will get you started:

1 whole free-range, hormone-free chicken
Gizzards from one chicken (optional)
4 quarts cold filtered water
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 large onions, chopped
2-6 cloves of garlic, cut into quarters
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
6 celery sticks, chopped
1 bunch parsley
Cut chicken into several pieces (remove neck and wings and cut
them into several pieces). Place chicken and chicken pieces in a
large stainless steel pot with the water, vinegar, and all the
vegetables except parsley. Bring to a boil, and remove scum that
rises to the top. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 6 to 24 hours.
The longer you cook the stock, the richer and more flavorful it
will be. About 10 minutes before finishing the stock, add the
parsley. This will impart additional minerals and nutrients.
Remove the chicken and reserve it for another purpose. Drain the
vegetables into a colander, saving all the broth. To make fat
removal easy, chill the soup and skim.

If someone in the family has a juicer making fresh fruit and vegetable juices will provide a powerhouse of antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant-based nutrients) to support your father’s immune system. Green juices especially are great for the lungs. The book Juicing For Life by Cherie Calbom & Maureen Keane is an excellent source for learning about the nutritional, preventive, and immune-strengthening powers of fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

I have attached a document on N-acetylcysteine (NAC). According to the information hospitals often use NAC to break up mucous in the lungs and to improve breathing. You may want to check with the doctor to see if your father is receiving this nutrient. Also attached are two more documents with information on supporting the immune system.

It may be helpful to contact the Nutritional Health Coach at the nearest Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage store for more diet aids, cooking tips, or help in looking at the books I mentioned.

Download NAC.JC.0509.pdf
28.6 KB   Downloaded: 144 Time(s)

Download Infection Protection$.JA.1101.pdf
205.13 KB   Downloaded: 29 Time(s)

Download Vitamin D--Influenza.JS.0409.pdf
29.24 KB   Downloaded: 32 Time(s)