Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I was a smoker for several years—have since quit. But now I am having a lung problem called chronic bronchitis that is not so bad but can become emphysema over time. What products might help my lungs? I don’t want to end up with emphysema.” —Duane M., Pikeville, KY A. Dear Duane, I am glad you were able to stop smoking entirely. That is a very hard thing to do, but it is the best thing you could have done to help prevent emphysema (which is also called COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). There are some formulas that might be very healthy for your lungs. The first is a combination of a super-absorption curcumin with a boswellia that has less than 5% beta boswellic acid. The reason I am so specific is that if you take plain curcumin, you will not absorb very much and it won’t help your condition very much, either. Also, the beta boswellic acid in boswellia actually CAUSES inflammation, so that is why I say to make sure it is less than 5% of the total. Using this special curcumin and boswellia combination will greatly reduce inflammation in the lungs, which in turn will allow better air flow. It will also help prevent inflammatory damage, and may even reduce how many lung infections you get. Last but not least, curcumin can help prevent cancer, which is an increased risk for people with a long history of smoking. The other formula I like is a blend of Climbing Ivy extract standardized to contain 10% of a compound called “hederacoside C” and Thyme chemotyped plant oil. This ivy extract will help your lungs clear out mucous, which will improve breathing and reduce your risk of acute bronchitis and pneumonia. The thyme is very soothing to the airways and has some anti-infective effects, too. If you use both these formulas, I think you will definitely see an improvement in your lung function. Best wishes, Terry