6 Supplements for Lung Health

The best supplements for lung health include vitamins C, A, E, and D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Some research has found that taking certain supplements, with or without a chronic condition, may be useful in boosting lung health and capacity.

Your lungs play a vital role in keeping you alive. Limited lung function and not enough oxygen, in turn, can compromise your overall health. Cigarette smoke, air pollution, and chronic conditions like asthma and lung cancer may negatively affect lung function.

Vitamin C helps boost immunity, increasing your body’s resistance to viral and bacterial infections like pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. Getting enough vitamin C may also protect against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inflammation in the lungs that can block airflow.

One study found that taking vitamin C may improve lung function in those with COPD. However, more research is needed. Research shows that the antioxidant properties of vitamin C may help reduce exercise-induced asthma.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for adults aged 19 and older is 90 milligrams (mg) for men and 75 mg for women. If you smoke, you may need to take up to 35 mg more of vitamin C daily.

Low vitamin D levels have been linked to an increased risk of infectious illnesses like the flu and COVID-19, both of which can impact lung health.

Research has found that people who take vitamin D supplements are less likely to have self-reported lung infections.

Vitamin D supplementation may help people with asthma manage their symptoms. It could also help prevent COPD and improve quality of life in people with COPD.

Magnesium is a mineral responsible for hundreds of bodily processes. It helps relax certain muscles in the main airways of your lungs and improve airflow. Magnesium can also lower inflammation, which can enhance airflow for people with certain lung conditions.

People with chronic asthma often have low magnesium levels. Supplementing with magnesium may help. Magnesium supplementation also may help protect against lung function loss in people with COPD and lung cancer.

For adult men 19 and older, the RDA of magnesium is between 400 and 420 mg. Adult women 19 and older will need to take between 310 and 320 mg.

Omega-3 fatty acids are known for reducing inflammation. One study found that people with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were less likely to experience lung function decline.

Research shows that omega-3s could reduce the amount of medication people with asthma need to take and improve respiratory function after lung injuries. Higher levels of omega-3 may also have a lower risk of hospitalization and death from interstitial lung disease (ILD).

The recommended intake of omega-3s for people 19 years and older is 1.6 grams (g) for men and 1.1 g for women. You can get omega-3s by eating fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, and some nuts.

Research shows the lungs utilize vitamin A (along with vitamins D and E) to prevent lung infections.

One study found that people who consumed foods rich in vitamin A and E, or who took vitamin A or E supplements, were less likely to have self-reported lung infections. However, more research is needed.

If you are considering taking vitamin A, consult with a healthcare provider, as this vitamin can become toxic at high levels. Generally, the recommended amount for adult men is 900 micrograms (mcg) RAE and 700 mcg RAE for women.

Several studies have examined how vitamin E (along with vitamins A and D) is linked to the body’s ability to fend off respiratory infections.

Like vitamin A, excess vitamin E can become harmful. For vitamin E, the RDA is 15 mg for adults. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if vitamin E supplementation is right for you.

Unlike medications, dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Instead, it is up to the manufacturer to ensure that a supplement is effective and safe to use.

There are independent, third-party organizations like ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, and U.S. Pharmacopeia that test supplements to ensure they have the correct quantities of the vitamin or mineral and that the product does not contain harmful contaminants. When a supplement meets certain standards, a third-party testing seal is added to the package.

Look for these testing seals to ensure you are getting a good quality supplement.

Supplements for lung health may be particularly useful for people with chronic lung conditions like COPD, asthma, respiratory infections, cystic fibrosis, and more.

Choosing which supplements may be right for you is best done in collaboration with a healthcare provider. They can advise you based on your medical history and your current medications.

It’s normal to experience decreased lung function as you age, but there are ways to support and maintain your lung health. Avoiding tobacco smoke is the best preventive measure.

Staying active, eating a nutritious diet, hydrating regularly, and staying up to date on vaccinations can help improve your lung health. Avoid outdoor pollution by monitoring air quality alerts, staying inside or wearing a mask, and using an air purifier when air pollution is at dangerous levels.

Other strategies include ensuring your indoor air quality is free of mold and radon, practicing deep breathing, maintaining good hygiene, and getting screened for lung cancer regularly.

Although supplements can be purchased over the counter, not all supplements are safe for everyone to take. Certain supplements can interfere with medications or have a negative impact on certain health conditions. Some minerals and vitamins can be toxic at high levels.

For instance, vitamin A and vitamin D are fat-soluble vitamins, meaning they can build up in your system and are not excreted through urine like water-soluble vitamins.

Talk with a healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.

Certain supplements have been shown to improve lung health. Chronic conditions like COPD and asthma, as well as other factors like pollution and cigarette smoke, can compromise or limit your lung capacity.

If you are considering taking a new supplement for lung health, speak with a healthcare provider first. They can advise you on which supplements are best for you, how much to take, and if you should do anything else to offset your lung issues.