Using Holistic Medicine for Cystic Fibrosis

Holistic medicine practices are alternatives to your child’s prescribed cystic fibrosis treatments. They include things like vitamins, supplements, body postures, and movements. These are some complementary and alternative treatments you may want to consider. 

Body-Based Practices

Yoga

Yoga is one of the more popular holistic medicine approaches for cystic fibrosis. Science tells us that yoga has great benefits for different conditions. For instance, people use yoga to treat diabetes, cancers, respiratory problems, and mental health conditions.

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety often occur with chronic health conditions like cystic fibrosis. You can’t cure your child’s cystic fibrosis with yoga. But, they can practice yoga to help with their depression, anxiety, or even physical pain.

Improve your breathing with one of these yoga positions.

Supplements

Natural Compounds

What would you say if we said that there are natural compounds in our everyday foods and spices to manage cystic fibrosis? It’s true; compounds are another holistic medicine approach for cystic fibrosis! You may have one of these compounds in your kitchen.

Curcumin

Most of us use Turmeric as a spice. But did you know that it’s also a dietary supplement? Curcumin is an active ingredient. It’s responsible for Turmeric’s yellow coloring and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative benefits. We don’t know how this happens, but we believe that Curcumin affects the defective gene.

Genistein

You’ve probably never heard of Genistein. But have you heard of soy? Genistein is a soy-derivative. You may choose to use Genistein as a holistic approach for cystic fibrosis because of its known benefits. It has known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, like Curcumin. And it’s been used for certain cancers, heart conditions, and menopause. The great news is that Genistein has low toxicity. What this means is that it’s generally safe for use. On the other hand, is that it has small effects on cystic fibrosis.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is found in fruits and vegetables. It has known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. So, eating more fruits, vegetables, and even peanuts may help with your child’s inflammation.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an herbal supplement used for centuries for certain cancers, inflammation, and our immune system. Did you know that ginseng may be an alternative treatment for your child’s bacterial infections? It’s true! Scientists believe that ginseng changes the body’s immune response to common bacterial infections caused by cystic fibrosis. It sounds promising, but you shouldn’t get too excited. Ginseng, as a treatment, has been trialed to treat infections in animals. So we’re not sure of its exact effects on humans.

Limitations With Compounds

Supplements and compounds are considerably cheaper than many of your prescription medications. But, there are some things you should know about them before swapping out your medicine. They’re not regulated by the FDA. There isn’t a set dose for efficacy. Finally, the active ingredients aren’t always high enough for them to be effective. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use them. But, use them with caution.

Probiotics

Healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection-causing bacteria in your child’s body. But, antibiotics can’t tell which bacteria are harmful and what the body needs; they wipe out all bacteria.

Good bacteria live in our gut. They help with gastrointestinal and digestive functions. Do you have regular bowel movements without any symptoms? Thank your gut bacteria! Thus, harmful bacteria disturb the gut’s function. Signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut are loose stools, abdominal pain, and even bloating.

Cystic fibrosis puts children at risk for frequent bacterial infections, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Probiotics improve their gut function. You may think that probiotics are only in pill form. But that’s not true. It’s a popular method, but probiotics are in these foods.

Vitamins

That’s right, vitamins are another complementary and alternative medicine that you can use to treat cystic fibrosis. Antioxidant vitamins like A, C, and E can have benefits on your child’s lungs. We know that carotenoids from vitamin A are good for immune health and lung function. And vitamin E is associated with improved lung functioning.

Vitamins are relatively safe. And your child can get them in different ways, such as tablets, pills, liquids, and even from their foods! Get your child’s vitamins from these natural sources.