Table 1.
Selected Oral Supplements in Asthma and COPD
| Supplement | Asthma (A) COPD (C) |
Possible mechanism of action | Dosing* | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 fatty acids (fish or plant-derived) | A, C | Decreases inflammatory mediator production | 1500–2000 mg EPA daily in divided doses | Fishy breath and GI side effects most common. Lower doses being studied in COPD. |
| Quercetin | A | Mast cell stabilizer; anti-inflammatory | 400–600 mg up to TID | No human clinical study data available |
| Pycnogenol | A | Anti-inflammatory; decreased leukotriene production | 100–200 mg BID daily in divided doses | Proprietary antioxidant- bioflavonoid mixed extract |
| Fisetin | A | Anti-inflammatory; NF- kB inhibition | 100–200 mg daily | No human clinical study data available |
| Magnesium | A | Airway smooth muscle relaxation; potentiation of beta agonist activity | 300–500 mg daily | Use limited by diarrhea. Mg glycinate may have less laxative effect. Caution in kidney disease |
| Vitamin D-3 cholecalciferol | A, C | Immunomodulation; anti-inflammatory | 800–2000IU daily | May enhance effectiveness of corticosteroid treatment |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine | C | Mucoactive; anti- inflammatory; anti- oxidant | 600–1,200 mg daily in divided doses | Avoid nebulized form due to potential acute bronchospasm. Caution with anticoagulants, such as warfarin |