What Are Complementary and Alternative Treatments For Cystic Fibrosis?

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) involves a daily routine of treatments and medicines. These are very important for managing the condition. But you might wonder if other therapies can help too. These are often called complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM.

Complementary therapies are used along with your usual medical care. Alternative therapies are used instead of medical care.¹

Talk to your doctor first

It is very important to be safe when thinking about CAM. Not all therapies are proven to work. Some could even cause problems or change how your regular CF medicines work.

Always talk to your CF doctor or care team before trying any new therapy. They know your health best. They can help you understand if something is safe or a good idea for you. Remember, CAM should help, not replace, your prescribed CF treatments.

Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies come from plants. Some people believe they can help with CF symptoms. For example, turmeric has a part called curcumin. Some research suggests that curcumin might help reduce inflammation and swelling.²

Another plant-based item is genistein, which comes from soy. It has also been looked at in early research for CF. Ginseng is an herb some think can help fight infections, according to traditional use and some preliminary studies.^3,4

However, it is important to be very careful with herbs. The amount of active ingredient can be different from one product to another. They are not regulated like medicines by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means their safety and how well they work are not always tested in large clinical trials. Some herbs can also cause side effects or interact with your CF medications, a warning often highlighted by CF medical specialists. Always discuss any herbal remedy with your doctor before using it.⁵

Holistic practices

Holistic practices focus on the whole person – body and mind. Some people with CF find these helpful for feeling better overall:¹

• Yoga – Yoga involves gentle movements, stretching, and breathing exercises. Learning to control breathing may also be beneficial, which is a principle often explored in yoga research.
• Acupuncture – This is a practice where very thin needles are placed on certain points of the body. Some people use acupuncture to help with pain, reduce swelling, and manage stress, with potential benefits sometimes reported in case studies or small trials for respiratory issues.
• Reiki – Reiki is a type of energy therapy. A practitioner will lightly place their hands on or near the body. The goal is to help you relax and reduce stress and pain, and it is often assessed for its impact on quality of life in patient reports.

These practices are generally safe when done by a trained person. They can often help with stress and feeling good, but they do not treat the underlying genetic cause of CF, which is the focus of primary medical treatments.¹

Nutritional supplements

People with CF often need extra help getting nutrients from their food. This is because CF can affect how the body absorbs fats and some vitamins. Besides trying to eat a nutritious diet, people with CF may consider supplementing with fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K), B vitamins, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and biotin.⁶

Since people with CF often take antibiotics, which can be confirmed by their medical records, some studies suggest probiotics might help keep a good balance of bacteria in the gut.⁶

Like all supplements, it is important to talk to your CF doctor or dietitian before taking them. They can recommend good quality brands and the right doses for you based on established medical and nutritional guidelines.⁶

Working with your CF team

Complementary therapies might offer extra support for some people with CF. However, they are not a replacement for your medical treatments, which are based on years of scientific research and clinical trials. Your CF care team is your best partner in health.

Always keep them informed about anything you are thinking of trying. Together, you can make the best choices for your well-being based on the most reliable evidence.