Respiratory problems are sending consumers in search of natural products that can help them breathe easier.

Breathing is a natural function that most people do not even think about. The body is designed to inhale and exhale with ease. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), the average adult takes 15-20 breaths a minute, which adds up to more than 20,000 breaths per day and more than six million breaths per year. But when something disturbs the natural breathing process, it becomes the only thing on a person’s mind. Respiratory problems can plague both adults and children several times each year. Problems can be as minor as the common cold or allergies, or much more serious such as influenza or asthma.

Everyone is at risk for getting and spreading the flu, and while it can put a person out of commission for a week or two, someone who suffers from asthma or other lung diseases puts them at higher risk for complications. According to the ALA, influenza and complications related to the illness result in 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year.

Asthma is another respiratory disease from which approximately 20 million people in the U.S. suffer. Symptoms of an asthma attack can include shortness of breath or breathing trouble due to the airways to the lungs becoming narrowed or blocked. People of all ages can be asthmatic. There is no cure and, in severe cases, it can be life threatening.

The Air We Breathe

With respiratory problems currently on the rise, air pollution and other environmental factors are among the many causes for case increases. “Anything you breathe in can affect your lungs,” stated the ALA. “Germs, tobacco smoke and other harmful substances can cause damage to your airways and threaten the lungs ability to work properly.”

A difference in lifestyle from years past is also a considerable factor. The days when children played outside for hours seem to have been replaced with hours on the computer, watching television and playing video games, among other adult behavioral changes, according to Autumn Blum, organic cosmetic chemist, founder and group vice president of Organix-South (Bowling Green, FL).

“Simple things like not getting enough fresh air (many places of work do not have windows that open); the rise in our population for those challenged by weight excess and not enough physical movement; pollution, increased sensitivity to a vast array of environmental challenges including ‘natural’ aromas found in personal care products, perfumes, fabric softeners, etc.; an increase in the number of individuals who are challenged by dietary and environmental allergens; the list goes on.”

A Natural Approach

While a doctor may prescribe medication for a patient, many consumers are wary About having to take yet another medication and opt for a natural approach instead. “With the extreme rise in asthma and allergies, this category is unfortunately growing rapidly,” explained Blum.

“As such, many individuals are seeking alternative methods, including herbal supplements to support healthy breathing, and for prevention and protection of other respiratory issues.”

Parents are especially concerned about putting their child on too many medications. “As a whole, we find many people in a wide age range looking for a more natural approach to some common respiratory issues,” said Dan Chapman, founder and CEO of Redd Remedies (Bradley, IL). “Many parents have come to the health food/natural channel to find alternatives to these more traditional Over-the-counter cough syrup and allergy products for their children. These events have provided us with the opportunity to offer consumers exactly what they are looking for.”

Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant found in many respiratory care products because it aids in keeping the lungs clear. Organix-South has two respiratory care products that can help people with various issues that contain turmeric and neem, both sources of quercetin.TheraVeda® Aller Support helps regulate respiratory function and supports sinus health.

TheraVeda® Respiratory Support is formulated to improve respiratory and sinus health, and promote and maintain normal mucus levels.Respiratory Support also contains holy basil, also known as tulsi, that is often used in ayurvedic medicine for respiratory issues. Both Respiratory Support and Aller Supper are available in easyto- swallow, vegetarian capsules.

With all of the choices available, consumers may question which delivery method to use, and if one is superior to another. “We would not say there is one delivery method that is better than others,” said Chapman. “It really depends on the issue. The issue will dictate whether a syrup, a capsule or tablet will be the best delivery method.”

Redd Remedies offers a line of products that caters to different respiratory problems. In tablet form, Adult Sinus Support and Children’s Sinus Support are designed for more seasonal issues and can be used preventatively.

SinuZyme is formulated for deep sinus health, to be used as an intervention.
Lung Care supports the overall function and health of the lower respiratory system.(Both SinuZyme and Lung Care come in capsule form.) Throat and Bronchial Syrup targets the throat and clears bronchial passageways. The line also features two aromatherapy inhalers for respiratory care—one for the sinuses and one for lung function. The inhalers are made with Certified Organic essential oils. “Our respiratory care products are niche products. There are specific formulations that address very specific problems,” explained Chapman.

“Because our respiratory category is multi-faceted, we offer solutions to a variety of respiratory issues.”

While many respiratory problems cannot be cured, they can be treated and managed. Consumers will look to retailers for their knowledge and expertise. Though their advice should never be used in place of appropriate medical care, retailers can help their customers find products to help make each breath count.

Wellmune WGP Reduces Duration of Respiratory Infection Symptoms

According to a study presented at a British Society for Immunology conference in Liverpool, UK, Eagan, MN-based Biothera’s Wellmune WGP®, a natural food and supplement ingredient that activates the body’s immune defenses, significantly reduced the duration of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms in a healthy population of medical students during the peak of the cold-flu season.

During the 90-day study involving 100 fourth-year medical students of the Southampton University Medical School, there were 24 medically confirmed URTI cases equally divided between the study groups.The students consumed 250mg/d of Wellmune WGP or an identical placebo capsule and completed a daily health diary recording presence or absence of listed URTI symptoms. Two or more reported URTI symptoms for two consecutive days triggered medical assessment and cytokine analysis within 24 hours. A total of 97 participants completed the trial protocol (Wellmune WGP n=48, placebo n=49). Twelve URTI were medically confirmed in each group.

“Medical students working long hours in hospitals are placing tremendous stress on their immune systems,” said Dr. Richard Fuller, MD of The Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine and principal investigator for the study.

“Wellmune WGP activates innate immune cells, the body’s first line of defense, which helped students become more resilient to health challenges.”

There was an 18 percent significant reduction in the total number of days with self-reported URTI symptoms in Wellmune WGP group compared to placebo (198 days versus 241 days, P=0.039). Wellmune WGP did not induce inflammatory cytokines. No cytokine change was seen during symptomatic URTI between study groups.

“The results are consistent with previous clinical studies that demonstrate the protective effects of Wellmune WGP for individuals during cold-flu season or periods of high physical or psychological stress,” added Don Cox, PhD, senior vice president of research and development at Biothera.

Fore more information, visit www.wellmune.com/clinicalresearch.html.