Believe it or not, your lungs are your most vulnerable organ and pulmonary function is the an important predictor of not only how long you’ll live, but how active and healthy you’ll be.

Taking good care of your lungs is not an option, it’s a MUST as we face more and more viral challenges.

Lung inflammation – and cough – from a viral respiratory infection can last for up to 2 months after the rest of your symptoms are gone. It’s called post-viral cough, and has been recognized in the scientific literature all the way back to 1950. The exact cause of the cough isn’t known, but it’s thought to be from all the damage to the lungs during the infection, plus the inflammatory reaction the body has from fighting off the virus.

Not only does the virus do damage, but the radiation exposure from X-rays and CT scans, invasive medical procedures (including intubation and mechanical ventilation), and medications we take all can have undesirable effects on our long-term health as well. Fortunately, there are supportive herbs and nutritional supplements we can use to support our lungs as they heal from such a coordinated assault.

Respiratory Virus 101

In order for your immune system to eradicate a virus anywhere in your body, it has to target and kill your own cells. This is different from a bacterial infection because bacteria attach to the outside of your cell, so you can kill bacteria without sacrificing your own cell. A virus invades your cell and takes over its command center, forcing it to make copies of infected cells and spread. The only way your body knows to kill the virus that’s hijacking your cells is to kill your own cells.

Once a virus is detected, this activates your T cells, the “soldiers” of your immune system that seek out and destroy infected cells. These dead cells are then cleaned up by the macrophages in your blood, which are like little garbage disposals that travel through your blood stream and “eat” any diseased cells. The viral attack on your cells also triggers a protective inflammatory response, which can persist long after the infection is gone.

A respiratory virus typically targets the epithelial cells and the alveoli in the lungs, which are right at ground zero of where oxygen is exchanged. Oxygen travels from these small alveolar air sacs in the lungs into the blood stream so it can be carried to the rest of the body. Once the lung tissue is injured it can become hyperreactive, resulting in decreased oxygen exchange, increased inflammation, and a persistent cough.

While you are recovering from a respiratory virus, your body needs additional nutrients to help it repair and replace cells, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritated tissues. If you’ve been exposed to radiation through medical imaging, then additional detox is helpful to mitigate the effects.

My Top Ten Supplements for Lung Health

From infrared sauna to cupping, herbs, vitamins, and more, there’s so much we can do to support good lung health – especially after an infection. While our access to hands-on therapeutic practitioners may be limited during this pandemic, good quality supplements are back in plentiful supply. Here are my top ten nutrients for supporting the health of your lungs after a viral assault.

• CoQ10

  Every cell in your body relies on the lungs for its oxygen, so when the lungs have been damaged by infection, we are plagued with fatigue from impaired oxygen delivery. CoQ10 is essential for our cells to make energy, and is a powerful antioxidant that protects delicate tissues from damage.

  This fat-soluble enzyme is in its lowest concentration in the body in your lung tissue, and to make matters worse, it declines as we age.

  Just 100 milligrams of this powerful enzyme has been found in studies to improve cell activity and reduce inflammation in people with asthma, which results in a reduced need for steroids.

• Fish Oil

  Inflammation of the lung and throat tissues can persist long after the viral infection has gone, which can predispose us to a secondary bacterial infection.

  According to Richard Phipps, PhD from the University of Rochester Medical Center, in cases of persistent lung disease, the Omega 3 fats in fish oil provide the precursors for molecules that help stop excessive inflammation, while helping your body clear out bacteria.

• Vitamin C

  We already know how wonderful vitamin C is for boosting the immune system during an infection, but it’s equally as helpful when it’s time for cell repair.

  Did you know the new generation of anti-flu medications blocks an enzyme the virus has that breaks down collagen? And did you know that vitamin C is an essential building block of collagen?

  When you put all of this together, you can see that vitamin C helps restore healthy collagen that may have been damaged by the influenza virus, or any other cause. It also helps thin mucus secretions so you can breathe easy.

• Vitamin D3

  This versatile vitamin is not just for bone health – it plays an important role respiratory health as well through its influence in lung development and structure, respiratory muscle strength, inflammation, and immune response to foreign invaders.

  Researchers have found that a deficiency in vitamin D is a risk factor for developing viral respiratory tract infections. It turns out that vitamin D is such a powerful immune factor for the respiratory tract that the lungs actually produce their own active form of vitamin D.

  Take 5000 IU of vitamin D3 daily or as recommended by your health professional.

• N-Acetyl-Cysteine

  Have you ever had a viral infection that left you with thick mucus that was hard to expectorate with coughing? If so, you needed N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC).

  This powerful antioxidant not only boosts your glutathione levels in your lungs and reduces bronchial and lung inflammation, but it also acts as an expectorant, breaking up trapped mucus and helping you cough it out more easily.

  It’s available by prescription as nebulizer breathing treatments (the method of choice), or over-the-counter in pill form.

• Serrapeptase

  This systemic proteolytic enzyme has been widely known for its role in helping the immune system repair injured tissues – including in the lungs.

  Severe viral respiratory infections can leave behind thickened tissues and even scars that impair your body’s ability to exchange oxygen. This is often caused by a buildup of fibrin protein.

  Serrapeptase dissolves fibrin and proteins, while decreasing inflammation, reducing scar tissue, and supporting a healthy respiratory system.

• Marshmallow Root

  This time-honored herbal remedy has been known as a demulcent that soothes dry coughs and irritated respiratory tissues. This antioxidant herb is used for swelling or irritation of any mucus membrane in the body, especially those that line the respiratory tract.

  The recommended use is in tea form, so it can soothe the tissues as you swallow.

• Fenugreek

  This pleasant-tasting herb (reminiscent of maple syrup) is a natural expectorant and antiseptic that is wonderfully effective as a cough syrup. It not only loosens excess mucus and helps you cough it out, but it also eases the urge to cough when there’s nothing to expectorate.

  Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been shown in studies to ease asthma symptoms and improve quality of life.

  I recommend it as a tea or syrup.

• Pleurisy Root

  This uncommon herb is a great support for any type of lung inflammation – including pleurisy, pneumonitis, and viral infections – and has been used specifically in cases of influenza.

  The key to safe usage of this herb lies in using small amounts, so I recommend a tincture.

  This herb should not be taken if you are pregnant, nursing, taking estrogen, or taking a diuretic.

• Thyme

  This tiny leaf packs a powerfully good punch! Thyme is a powerful antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, and expectorant.

  Thymol, an extract from thyme, is so potent that the EPA lists it as a disinfectant that kills COVID-19.

  Thyme Honey

  Thyme mixed with honey has been shown in studies to prevent skin damage caused by radiation treatments and UV radiation.

  Thyme honey also soothes throat pain.

Your body is pretty remarkable. As part of its extraordinary plan to keep your organs safe, it isolates fat-soluble toxins, many of which in turn, stockpile in the tummy.

Belly fat and the toxins that are stored within it is extremely difficult to lose without a detox strategy that focuses on the breakdown of fat cells (lipolysis) and autophagy which is the cellular cleanup process that gets rid of the dysfunctional cells and makes way for new cells.

Some of these fat soluble toxins are called obesogens and they include synthetic compounds, chemicals, herbicides, and plastics in your fat cells. These obesogens include Bisphenol-A (BPA), atrazine, phthalates, tributyltin (TBT), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), commonly found in household products, cosmetics, and groundwater.

So how do we help our body to increase lipolysis and autophagy so we can lose stubborn belly fat and the toxins that are stored within?

How to Release Tummy Fat

Here are some easy ways to trick your body into releasing tummy fat fast and easy.

• Count on CLA

  CLA is the fatty acid that helps your body to power off pounds all year long – without dieting!

  As I recently told Woman’s World in this week’s cover story, when I first learned about CLA years ago, I was busy writing a new book day and night. I decided to try CLA to help boost my energy and stabilize my blood sugar.

  I wasn’t even taking it for weight loss but after a few weeks I was backstage at a talk show and realized my pants were so loose, I had to pin them to keep them from falling off! I’ve been a believer ever since. I find that taking 1000 mg of CLA with each meal is incredibly effective in keeping my belly fat at bay.

  Cathy's Story

  Many of my followers have also reported amazing results by taking CLA. I’m really happy for Cathy Reiber, who is featured in our CLA cover story in the November 15th issue of Woman’s World.

  She reported losing inches right away, and was down 11 pounds in a week! And by month’s end, she was 26 pounds lighter. Best of all, she has maintained her 92 lb weight loss for nearly a year!

  Her transformation is incredibly inspiring, and you can supercharge your weight loss too by adding CLA. Like Cathy, it could be your game changer.

  Human Studies

  More than 300 studies have been reported since CLA’s (conjugated linoleic acid) initial discovery, highlighting its promise in cardiac, cancer, and diabetes therapy. However, it is the special properties for weight control that were the subject of the first human studies.

  Dr. Pariza and Ola Gudmundsen, Ph.D. of the Scandinavian Clinical Research Facility in Kjeller, Norway, were among the researchers reporting at the American Chemical Society meeting in 2000.

  Their study of 80 overweight people found that:

  • Those who took CLA when they dieted and regained the weight when the diet ended put the weight back on as 50 percent muscle and 50 percent fat.
  • Those who did not take CLA regained the weight as 75 percent fat and 25 percent muscle, the usual ratio of weight gain.

  According to Dr. Pariza, whose team carried out the study, “CLA works by reducing the body’s ability to store fat and promotes the use of stored fat for energy.” It does this by controlling the enzymes that release fat from the cells into the bloodstream. The result is a decrease in body fat and a proportional increase in lean muscle mass.

  So essentially, CLA helps “convert” fat to lean muscle tissue, and muscle is one of your best metabolism enhancers.

  The Norwegian study found that overweight people who did not diet but took CLA lost a small but significant amount of weight over a 12-week period. This study, also reported in the Journal of Nutrition in 2000, showed a stunning 20 percent decrease in body fat percentage, with an average loss of 7 pounds of fat in the group taking CLA without any diet changes.

• Practice Intermittent Fasting

  I spoke about this in my recent blog (link How I Hacked Intermittent Fasting). Eating only within a six hour window can do wonders for your health. Fasting benefits include increased autophagy and lipolysis and lowered insulin levels.

  During your short eating window, remember to reduce your net carbs. Net carbs are carbohydrate foods without the fiber. Reducing them to twenty to fifty grams per day will radically power up your lipolysis and autophagy and reduce your toxic load.

• HIIT It Up

  Kick it up a notch with some high intensity interval training (HIIT) and/or high intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) three days per week. Adding in these types of exercises will produce very fast results in a short period of time.

• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

  And my final tip to assist your body in detoxifying cellular waste and reduce its toxic load to help you shed your weight? Hydration. Remember to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each and every day.

  You’ll be amazed with how great you’ll feel when your body releases toxins and debris and you lose those stubborn pounds once and for all.

Would you love to learn how to turn up your metabolism while tuning up your gallbladder? The great news is, I bet many (maybe even all) of these Fat Flushing powerhouses are probably already in your daily diet. They’re not only great for shedding those extra pounds, but they’re also critical for quality bile production, which we know is key for optimum health, fat digestion, and correcting “mystery” illnesses.

Read on to get the skinny about these fantastic 10—and do make sure they’re all on your next grocery list.

Fat-Flushing Foods and Spices

• Beets

  Beets contain betaine which thins the bile and helps prevent gallstones. Betaine is also a rich source of hydrochloric acid, which is critical for digestion and triggers your gallbladder to release bile. Beetroot protects your liver from chemical toxicity.

• Artichokes

  Artichokes are a fabulous bile-producing food and liver protector. They may boost your glutathione levels as much as 50 percent.

• Bitters

  Bitter foods trigger your pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes and your gallbladder to release bile. Although digestive bitters are particularly important if you’re vegan or vegetarian, they are really helpful for everyone, with or without a gallbladder.

  Bitter greens such as arugula, endive, dandelion and radicchio offer wonderful benefits—as well as horseradish, which is also anti-cancer. Orange peel, gentian root, bitter artichoke and Angelica root are also excellent bitters. Stay away from Swedish bitters, which typically contain herbal laxatives such as rhubarb and senna.

• Choline

  Choline is an essential nutrient that acts as an emulsifier, assists fat digestion, reduces cellulite, decongests the liver, improves nerve and brain function, and builds hormones. Ninety percent of us are choline deficient.

• Lecithin

  Lecithin is one of the primary emulsifying agents in bile, containing significant choline. Lecithin breaks down fats making them more digestible. Lecithin also helps keep your homocysteine levels low, thereby reducing your cardiovascular risk. Lecithin from non-GMO soy or sunflower seeds makes a great fat-flushing supplement.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

  I call apple cider vinegar a “miracle in a bottle!” ACV contains malic acid, which helps your body digest protein and thins the bile.

  Take one tablespoon of raw ACV in a glass of water before meals.

• Taurine

  Taurine is a key component of bile acids, made in the liver. Many are deficient, especially vegans and vegetarians, because taurine is derived from organ meats and other animal proteins. Taurine helps thin the bile, assists detoxification, improves lipids, and lowers the risk for obesity.

• Capsaicin

  Capsaicin will ignite your fat burning engine! Found in sweat-inducing foods and spices like cayenne, capsaicin stimulates metabolism by activating brown fat, as well as helping optimize your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

• Cumin

  The smoky-peppery spice cumin can boost your metabolic rate, promote weight loss, reduce body fat and LDL, and stimulate pancreatic enzymes. In one study, just one teaspoon of cumin increased weight loss by 50 percent. I use cumin in just about everything from soups to salad dressings to casseroles.

• Omega-7s

  Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) is the amazing omega you might not yet know about. Omega-7 operates as a “lipokine”: a hormone-like molecule that optimizes energy utilization and storage in body tissues at very low concentrations. Omega-7s really shine when it comes to improving your blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Omega-7s will even help build collagen!

  Where do you find them? Macadamia nuts, sea buckthorn, and deep sea anchovies.

Further Reading

For even more superstar foods that you (and your family) will love, order a copy of The NEW Fat Flush Foods.

And, for tips on how to whip them up in delicious dishes, add The NEW Fat Flush Cookbook to your shopping cart, too.

Bon appétit!