Respiratory & Lungs
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis causes thick mucus buildup in the lungs and digestive problems. Nutritional approaches — especially selenium and essential fatty acids — have shown promise in prevention and management.
Also known as: CF, Mucoviscidosis, fibrosis (definition: excessive scarring of tissue)
📝 At a glance
Likely root causes: Genetic mutation (CFTR gene); Possible selenium deficiency in fetus/newborn; Essential fatty acid deficiency.
First thing to try: Eat a highly nourishing diet high in raw fruits and vegetables, with adequate carbohydrates, protein, and vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More →/mineralA natural building block your body needs in small amounts, like calcium or magnesium. More → supplementation.
See a doctor if: Any respiratory deterioration or acute infection
🙏 Begin with prayer
Prayer is the first remedy, not the last resort. Whether you are facing this yourself, caring for someone who is, or simply reading to understand — here is a simple prayer you are welcome to make your own, in your name or in theirs:
Great Physician, this disease makes every breath and every meal a labor, and some days the future feels heavy to think about. Give me wisdom for managing this care, and bless the nutrition and therapies that support these lungs day by day. Grant patience for the routines that never end, and courage for the harder days ahead. Whatever comes, be near, and let Your peace hold what our strength cannot. In Jesus' name, Amen.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”— 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
🔎 Start with the cause
Lasting relief rarely comes from covering a symptom. First find what is feeding the problem, change what you can, and then help the body do what it was designed to do — heal.
Likely root causes
- Genetic mutation (CFTR gene)
- Possible selenium deficiency in fetus/newborn
- Essential fatty acid deficiency
- Subclinical celiac disease impairing absorption
Change what you can
- Eat a highly nourishing diet high in raw fruits and vegetables, with adequate carbohydrates, protein, and vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More →/mineralA natural building block your body needs in small amounts, like calcium or magnesium. More → supplementation.
- Because CF impairs nutrient absorption, eat MORE than typical — extra food is needed to absorb what the body requires.
- Eat whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fresh produce.
- Include selenium (200 mcg daily) — may address underlying deficiency.
- Include essential fatty acids (flaxseed oil, 2–3 tsp daily) — critical for lung tissue health.
- Include germanium (found in garlic and onions) for immune support.
- Eliminate all processed and junk food.
- Give up tobacco, abstain from alcohol, and give up caffeine.
- Helpful herbs: echinacea, licorice root, ginger (anti-inflammatoryA food or habit that helps calm swelling and redness in the body. More →), yarrow, peppermint.
- Cayenne, garlic, and mullein help clear congestion.
- Garlic and teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → tree oil fight infection.
- Determine and avoid any food allergies (especially wheat and cow's milk).
- Drink plenty of liquids with adequate salt in hot weather.
🌿 Overview
Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disease causing thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. Research by Dr. Joel Wallach and others suggests that selenium deficiency plays a central role. A highly nutritious diet with essential fatty acids is critical for anyone managing CF.
CF causes chronic lung infections, breathing difficulties, and impaired nutrient absorption. Three views of causation exist: purely genetic; caused by subclinical celiac disease impairing selenium and fatty acid absorption; or — per Wallach — a selenium/essential fatty acid deficiency that is 100% preventable. Whatever the cause, maximizing nutrition is always beneficial.
Common signs
- Thick mucus in lungs
- Chronic coughing and wheezing
- Recurrent lung infections
- Digestive problems and malabsorption of fats
- Failure to thrive in children
- Abnormally salty sweat
🌿 Assist nature: remedies & protocols
With the cause being addressed, these are the actual things people do for this — ranked by the community. Vote ▲ on what helped you and ▼ on what didn't, and open How to do it for the steps. Each shows two quick signals: Evidence (how much science backs it) and Gentleness (how safe and in keeping with whole, natural health).
Supportive nutrition — CF requires specialist medical management.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Cystic fibrosis blocks normal nutrient absorption, so a person must eat more than usual of rich, whole foods to take in enough — good nutrition supports strength and immunity alongside medical care.
- Eat ample whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Eat more than a typical portion — extra is needed because absorption is poor.
- Include healthy fats and adequate protein at each meal.
- Add extra salt in hot weather and with sweating, as CF causes salt loss.
- Work with the CF care team and dietitian on enzymes and supplements.
Ongoing · Every meal
Caution: This supports, but does not treat, CF; specialist care is essential. Coordinate with the CF team on pancreatic enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins.
Comments & experiences ▾
Eases mucus alongside prescribed airway clearance.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Warm, moist air thins sticky secretions so they clear more easily, and mild expectorants like mullein support the airways — comfort and airway support beside medical airway clearance.
- Breathe warm steam (a bowl of hot water with a towel over the head) for several minutes to loosen mucus.
- Follow with the airway-clearance routine your CF team has taught.
- Use mullein tea and include garlic in food for gentle airway support.
- Stay well hydrated, which also thins secretions.
5-10 min · 1-3x daily
Caution: Keep steam comfortably warm to avoid scalding, especially with children. Does not replace prescribed physiotherapy or medication.
Comments & experiences ▾
Replaces fatty acids CF tends to deplete.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: People with CF are often short of essential fatty acids; flaxseed oil supplies omega-3s that the lungs and cell membranes need, a sensible nutritional support.
- Take 2-3 teaspoons of flaxseed oil daily, with food.
- Keep the oil refrigerated so it doesn't go rancid.
- Use it as a main fat source rather than heavy fried fats.
- Continue all prescribed CF therapies.
Ongoing · Daily
Caution: Introduce gradually to avoid loose stools. Supportive only; coordinate with the CF team.
Comments & experiences ▾
★ = Remy Recommended — hover the star to see why.
How the numbers work: a weighted voting system — trusted published sources cast endorsement votes for each protocol, and your ▲/▼ adds to them.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- Any respiratory deterioration or acute infection
- Failure to gain weight
- For all routine CF management
🌿 The seven pathways to health
Seven pathways for your cystic fibrosis — tap the circle to check one off (saved on your device), or ask Remy for help.
“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health... In case of sickness 1cause should be ascertained, 2go to work intelligently to remove the disease. 3Unhealthful conditions should be changed, 4wrong habits corrected. 5Then nature is to be assisted in her effort 6to expel impurities and 7to re-establish right conditions in the system.”
🍃 Supporting foods & habits
The gentle, everyday foods and supports that help in the background — secondary to the active remedies above. Vote on what helped you.
A nutrient-dense, often high-calorie diet (as the CF team advises) supports growth and energy.930
A soft, soothing root rich in plant mucilage that coats and calms a sore throat, dry cough, and irritated digestion.820
How the numbers work: this is a weighted voting system — every published book or article recommending a remedy counts as an endorsement vote, and your ▲/▼ counts too. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit, eight-laws alignment).
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Favor these
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Legumes and nuts
- Garlic and onions
- Flaxseed oil
- Carrot juice
Go easy on
- Processed and junk food
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Common allergens (wheat, cow's milk, soy)
People with CF must eat significantly more than others because nutrient absorption is impaired. Supplement aggressively.
⚖️ Good to know
- CF management requires ongoing medical care — do not replace conventional treatment with natural remedies alone.
- Lung infections can be life-threatening and require prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Pancreatic enzyme supplementation may be needed for fat absorption.
⚕️ What a doctor may offerConventional treatments for this condition — for your information.Show ▾
RemedyRank's heart is natural healing — and honest information. Here is what conventional medical care commonly involves for this condition, listed to inform, never to promote. Decisions about treatment belong with you and your own physician.
CF is a genetic disease managed by a specialist team, now with transformative modulator drugs for many.
Commonly offered
- CFTR modulator medications (for eligible genotypes)–
- Airway clearance therapy and inhaled treatments–
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement and nutrition support–
- Prompt treatment of lung infections–
Worth knowing
- CF needs specialized, lifelong, multidisciplinary care.
- Lung infections need early, aggressive treatment.
- Natural measures are supportive only.
👍/👎 shares whether a treatment helped you — community experience, not medical advice. For full professional details, see the sources under “Learn more” below.
📜 A note from history
Dr. Joel Wallach, a veterinarian, published research in 1978 showing he could reproduce CF changes in animals through selenium deficiency and cure them through selenium supplementation — work that was controversial but sparked ongoing nutritional research.
📚 Learn more
Sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
🌿 Deeper natural detail
Curated links coming for this one.
🩺 The conventional view
💬 Ask Remy about Cystic Fibrosis
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