"In the March, 2009 issue of Clinical Immunology, researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report that sulforaphane, a compound that occurs in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, may help protect against respiratory inflammation and the diseases it causes, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic rhinitis."    Life Extension

"According to the research in this week's Archives of Internal Medicine. Among asthmatics, those who were vitamin D deficient were five times more likely to get sick than their counterparts with healthy levels. And the risk of respiratory infection was twice as high among vitamin D-deficient patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than in lung patients with normal levels of the vitamin."   Scientific American, 23 Feb 2009

"Dental diseases, mental diseases, heart disease, infectious respiratory diseases, and heart disease are all at least partially caused by common failures in metabolism. Such failures are inevitable when there is a deficiency of essential nutrients, particularly vitamins D, C, and niacin. There is especially strong evidence for a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cavities. Dozens of studies were conducted in the 1930's and 1940's [16-27]. More than 90% of the studies concluded that supplementing children with vitamin D prevents cavities. Particularly impressive was a study published in 1941 demonstrated the preventative affect of "massive" doses of vitamin D [28]. And yet no subsequent studies in the scientific literature suggested a need to follow up and repeat this work."  Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, February 19, 2009

"Obtaining vitamins in sufficient doses to help prevent dental disease is safe and easily accomplished. Between 5,000 and 15,000 IU of vitamin D may be obtained from modest exposure to sunshine in the middle of the day. Recommending that people regularly use the capacity of their skin to make vitamin D is common sense. Certainly 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D in supplemental form is safe. 2,000 milligrams per day of vitamin C, and hundreds of milligrams per day of niacin, help prevent tooth and mouth troubles. Sick individuals, and those who are prone to cavities, will typically benefit by starting with higher doses of vitamin D, vitamin C, and niacin under the supervision of an orthomolecular physician." Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, February 19, 2009

"Inorganic phosphorus added by food manufactures to processed foods such as meats, cheese, beverages and baked goods to improve texture and water retention have shown increasing lung  tumor progression in the mouse model. Careful regulation of dietary  phosphate may be critical for lung cancer prevention as well as it's treatment." Life Extension

"Children with lower vitamin D levels were significantly more likely to have been hospitalized for asthma in the previous year, tended to have airways with increased hyperreactivity, and were likely to have used more inhaled corticosteroids -- all signifying higher asthma severity. These children were also significantly more likely to have several markers of allergy, including dust-mite sensitivity." Doctor Joseph Mercola MD

"A group of scientists from UCLA published a remarkable paper in the prestigious journal, Nature. The UCLA group confirmed two other recent studies, showing that a naturally occurring steroid hormone - a hormone most of us take for granted - was, in effect, a potent antibiotic. Instead of directly killing bacteria and viruses, the steroid hormone under question increases the body's production of a remarkable class of proteins, called antimicrobial peptides. The 200 known antimicrobial peptides directly and rapidly destroy the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the influenza virus, and play a key role in keeping the lungs free of infection. The steroid hormone that showed these remarkable antibiotic properties was plain old vitamin D."  Doctor John Cannell MD

"The scientists looked at two molecules found in bromelain. One, called CCS, appears to block a protein that is defective in nearly a third of all cancers. The other, called CCZ, activates specific immune cells that are prompted to recognize and kill cancer cells. In animal studies conducted by the QIMR team, the one-two punch of CCS and CCZ was found to be effective in controlling four cancer types: lung, breast, ovarian and bowel."  Bromelain and Cancer

"A number of studies suggest that folate through its effect on reducing homocysteine levels may prevent cancers of the breast, bladder, lung, lymph and colorectum." Life Extension

"The findings of our study support an important role for vitamin D in prevention of common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu. Individuals with common lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema, may be particularly susceptible to respiratory infections from vitamin D deficiency." Doctor Adit Ginde  

“We are seeing new proof that your lung volume is your number one indicator of all-cause mortality. That means the bigger your lungs, the longer you'll live. You lose almost 20 percent of your vital lung capacity between the ages of 30 and 40. And the decline continues until you reach old age. By 50, you've lost nearly 40 percent of your breathing capacity. Lack of oxygen reserves cause 50 percent of all heart attacks. You can implement a simple exercise program that will improve your lung capacity and minimize the consequences of losing lung volume. If you focus on improving your lungs' elasticity, increasing bone strength for posture and improving the function of your diaphragm, the rest will take care of itself. The best way to do it is simple: High intensity, short-interval workouts that burn calories and fat—just like my PACE program.” Doctor Al Sears MD, Note I highly recommend Doctor Sears’s line of thought and especially his PACE program. I can tell you it works. His book “The Doctor’s Heart Cure” is a must have primer on good health and includes the PACE basics. The Doctor’s Heart Cure

"Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have discovered that treatment with estrogen and progestin (the traditional synthetic prescription hormone replacement therapy, delivered in a combination of Premarin and Provera, also known as Prempro) increases the number of deaths from lung cancer. The UCLA researchers’ finding, based on data from the Women’s Health Initiative, noted that women who used Prempro were 71 percent more likely to die from lung cancer. Other potential dangers associated with the use of Prempro include an increased risk of breast cancer and an increased risk of clots that can lead to a stroke."   Doctor Apar Ganti, University of Nebraska, The Lancet Sept 2009

"The Chinese use garlic to treat TB with decent results. If I feared that I had been exposed to TB, I would take at least one garlic capsule a day, and I would make sure the label said that each capsule was standardized to the equivalent of at least one gram of fresh garlic."  Doctor James A. Duke PhD, Note we know also vitamin D is extremely important for TB both prevention and cure

"The tissues that line our air passages are especially rich in antimicrobial peptide producing cells, where they  provide a front line defense against invaders.  These cells require vitamin D to function effectively. Vitamin D suppresses cytokines. "Cytokine Storms" are responsible for many influenza deaths. Vitamin D protects against influenza and other respiratory infections."   Life Extension 

"Practicing clinicians have achieved efficacy with daily vitamin D supplements of 5,000 IU or higher - virtually eliminating influenza infections even among vulnerable populations."  Life Extension, Note 8,000 - 10,000 IU may be a safer dose for full sized adults to assure a vitamin D level of greater than 50 ng/ml

Meet Your Lungs

We do not often think about our lungs but try holding your breath for a couple minutes and you will. Vitamin A is required to constantly rebuild and repair your lungs thus IMO cooked carrots (See Carrot Protocol) can be thought of as lung food.  Animal studies have shown damaged lungs can be completely repaired with a great diet, an abundance of pro-vitamin A, saturated fat and a few other goodies. Stop smoking, take care what you put into them, feed them and your body will rebuild both of your lungs back into runners lungs faster than you think. Both your lungs and liver (See Liver Protection Protocol) are extremely durable organs and can be saved from a life of neglect and abuse, if you stop neglecting and abusing them and start thinking about and taking care of them.

Free Calcium in YOUR Lungs is NOT Good

If calcium (See Calcium Protocol) is not taken with enough magnesium and other required nutrients the unabsorbed calcium can lodge anywhere in the body; it provokes respiratory problems if it lodges in your lungs. As we age a common problem is the calcification of our organs. We can avoid this problem by eating lots of calcium chelators (See Chelation Protocol) and consuming more magnesium than calcium. This is another reason to stay away from the supplemental calcium.

The extreme importance of vitamin D for your lungs cannot be overemphasized

"A group of scientists from UCLA published a remarkable paper in the prestigious journal, Nature. The UCLA group confirmed two other recent studies, showing that a naturally occurring steroid hormone - a hormone most of us take for granted - was, in effect, a potent antibiotic. Instead of directly killing bacteria and viruses, the steroid hormone under question increases the body's production of a remarkable class of proteins, called antimicrobial peptides. The 200 known antimicrobial peptides directly and rapidly destroy the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the influenza virus, and play a key role in keeping the lungs free of infection. The steroid hormone that showed these remarkable antibiotic properties was plain old vitamin D."  Doctor John Cannell MD

"The findings of our study support an important role for vitamin D in prevention of common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu. Individuals with common lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema, may be particularly susceptible to respiratory infections from vitamin D deficiency." Doctor Adit Ginde  

"The tissues that line our air passages are especially rich in antimicrobial peptide producing cells, where they  provide a front line defense against invaders.  These cells require vitamin D to function effectively. Vitamin D suppresses cytokines. "Cytokine Storms" are responsible for many influenza deaths. Vitamin D protects against influenza and other respiratory infections."   Life Extension 

"Practicing clinicians have achieved efficacy with daily vitamin D supplements of 5,000 IU or higher - virtually eliminating influenza infections even among vulnerable populations."  Life Extension, Note 8,000 IU may be a safer dose for full sized adults to assure a vitamin D level of greater than 50 ng/ml

“1000 IU of Vitamin D3/25 pounds of body weight/day can abolish upper respiratory infections in your child.”   Doctor Doctor Ronald Hoffman MD, Note WOW!

"According to the research in this week's Archives of Internal Medicine. Among asthmatics, those who were vitamin D deficient were five times more likely to get sick than their counterparts with healthy levels. And the risk of respiratory infection was twice as high among vitamin D-deficient patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than in lung patients with normal levels of the vitamin."   Scientific American, 23 Feb 2009

"Children with lower vitamin D levels were significantly more likely to have been hospitalized for asthma in the previous year, tended to have airways with increased hyperreactivity, and were likely to have used more inhaled corticosteroids -- all signifying higher asthma severity. These children were also significantly more likely to have several markers of allergy, including dust-mite sensitivity." Doctor Joseph Mercola MD

"Also don’t forget N-acetyl-cysteine. This is a great antioxidant for lung infection. You can get it in bulk from http://purebulk.com. It’s a fantastic treatment for pneumonia as it will prevent lung cell death. I would give NAC at 20-50g/day to anyone with active pneumonia. NAC easily dissolves in water for administration of higher doses. 1-2g/day in divided doses is sufficient as preventative."   Protecting against viral infection

"According to the researchers, an estimated 2.7 million Americans, or just over one percent of the population, carry the MRSA virus in their nasal passages. In addition, about 30 percent of people carry MRSA on their skin without any noticeable side effects, and outbreaks have occurred that stemmed from places like schools and public gyms. Your house and even your pets are also places that can harbor and spread this dangerous bacteria. Vitamin D tackles one of the most prolific and dreaded antibiotic-resistant bugs out there – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA."   The Evidence for Vitamin D as a Primary Defense Against Infectious Disease AND the TB bacillus

At least five studies show an inverse association between lower respiratory tract infections and vitamin D levels. That is, the higher your vitamin D level, the lower your risk of contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory tract infections."      The Evidence for Vitamin D as a Primary Defense Against the TB bacillus , Note this includes viruses including deadly viruses such as H1N1 and other Political Pandemic bio-engineered viruses.      

“Vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infections.”   Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A Toxicity, Frequent Respiratory

"If you are exercising regularly, just as if your vitamin D levels are optimized, the likelihood of your acquiring an upper respiratory infection decreases quite dramatically, and studies have clearly shown this.”   Doctor Joseph Mercola MD

"These findings suggest that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with autoimmune interstitial lung disease, particularly those with connective tissue disease. Therefore, vitamin D may have a role in the development of connective tissue disease-related ILD and patients' worsening lung function.”   Vitamin D insufficiency linked to autoimmune lung disease   

Many upper respiratory infections and other lung problems may be nothing other than a vitamin D shortage. This is the conclusion of many knowledgeable researchers and doctors. The mechanism for this is clear if your vitamin D levels are too low your antimicrobial peptides in your UPPER lungs cannot intercept and eliminate the viruses, fungi, bacteria and protozoa invading your lungs and these pathogens are allowed DEEP into your lungs where they cause MUCH greater problems.

If you are suffering any lung problem try getting your vitamin D levels up to at least 60 ng/ml before any drastic action, like a toxic drug.

Vitamin E and Your Lungs

"As lung disease develops, damage occurs to sensitive tissues through several proposed processes, including inflammation and damage from free radicals, Vitamin E may protect the lung against such damage."   Long-term-vitamin-E-supplementation-associated-with-reduced-COPD-risk

Zinc and Your Lungs

"Those with normal zinc status were not only less likely to develop pneumonia, they also had fewer new prescriptions for antibiotics, a shorter duration of pneumonia, and fewer days of antibiotic use compared with residents who had low zinc levels. In addition, mortality was lower in those with adequate blood zinc levels.” 

“After reviewing a total of 10 studies, investigators at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that zinc supplementation alone reduces the risk of pneumonia by 41 percent!”

We elders must be especially sure of getting good zinc as pneumonia is a LARGE threat to us.

Continuation of Lung Protection Protocol (See Lung Protection Protocol Continuation)