Cystic Fibrosis Treatment   At this time, there is no cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  However, early diagnosis and treatment can decrease the risk of permanent damage to the lungs.  Cystic fibrosis may be identified by genetic testing, where inner cheek cells are swabbed and then examined for the presence of defective Cystic Fibrosis genes.  The definitive test for Cystic Fibrosis is the electrolyte sweat test.  This test can detect the excessive amounts of mineral salts found on the skin of Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.   In the case of respiratory infections, an appropriate antibiotic may be prescribed. Pancrelipase (Viokase), a digestive enzyme drug, is often prescribed to further the processes lacking in the pancreas. Other treatments include; drugs in aerosol form to help dissolve lung secretions, a special low-fat diet with nutritional supplementation, physical therapy, and breathing exercises.   Gene therapy may be a beneficial treatment option for cystic fibrosis sufferers in the near future.     Supplements helpful for Cystic Fibrosis   Curcumin (turmeric) Curcumin, the yellow pigment of Curcuma longa (turmeric), has been shown to possess various anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (2-5).  Curcumin may provide benefit in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.  In a recent study, researchers at Yale University found that when curcumin was fed to mice with the defective Cystic Fibrosis protein, it resulted in normal protein activity in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts (6).   Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil) Studies show that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil and flaxseed oil may have beneficial effects for Cystic Fibrosis patients, such as decreasing inflammation and improving lung function (7-9).   Antioxidants (Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E) Antioxidant plasma levels, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, are often low in patients with Cystic Fibrosis.  This is due to the impaired digestion and malabsorption in Cystic Fibrosis patients, which reduces the available supply of antioxidant nutrients.  Cystic Fibrosis patient's suffer from difficulties in fat and cholesterol absorption and decreases vitamin E levels, since vitamin E is transported through the body by attaching to LDL cholesterol.  The amount of free radicals are also increased in Cystic Fibrosis patients.  This is caused by immune cell stimulation from chronic disease and infectious microorganisms (10).   Studies show that supplementation with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E may have beneficial effects for Cystic Fibrosis patients, such as boosting antioxidant status and reducing free radicals and oxidative stress (10, 11).  Another study reports that supplementation with vitamin C can produce clinical improvement in patients with chronic bronchitis and respiratory infection (12).   Pancreatic Digestive Enzymes Due to pancreatic insufficiency, Cystic Fibrosis patients have difficulties with fat digestion and food malabsorption. For Cystic Fibrosis patients, supplementation with pancreatic digestive enzymes has been shown to aid digestion and help the body to absorb and utilize the food (13).   Probiotics (Lactobacillus Acidophilus  and Bifidobacteria) Probiotics including lactobacillus acidophilus (small bowel friendly bacteria) and bifidobacteria (large bowel friendly bacteria) are nutritional supplements containing the same beneficial bacteria that are found in the digestive tract.  Since antibiotics are used in Cystic Fibrosis treatment and often destroy friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract, probiotic supplementation is particularly helpful for enhancing intestinal tract immunity and insuring healthy intestinal microflora. (14, 15).   N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an acetylated ester of the amino acid cysteine, a precursor for the synthesis of glutathione, which acts as a detoxifying agent. Studies show that supplementation with NAC may have important beneficial effects for Cystic Fibrosis patients, such as reducing sticky mucus secretion, improving lung function, combating lung infections, and decreasing inflammation (16-20).   Bromelain Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme complex derived from pineapple, has been shown to have an antitussive effect (cough suppression) and to reduce the thickness of mucus (21).  Bromelain's mucolytic activity reduces bronchial secretions, making it effective in treating respiratory tract diseases (22).     Learn More About Cystic Fibrosis Introduction to Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Products helpful for Cystic Fibrosis Go Back Learn More

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