˄

8.19.20

There’s still so much we are learning about COVID-19. Earlier this summer, we shared the healing journey of one of our contributors, nutritionist, chef and reiki master, Serena Poon, who creates nutritional plans for L.A. clients like Kerry Washington and Jerry Bruckheimer.

In that interview, Serena quickly mentioned that she had nebulized glutathione and we wanted to learn all the details. Knowing you too might be interested, we asked Serena to unpackseverything we wanted to know about this form of respiratory supplementation and/or drug treatment…. 

During my (and my sister’s) personal journey with COVID (read the full story), I had shared a series of initial protocols, including foods and supplements, that we found supportive for our recovery. As a summary, my sister and I had very different experiences, despite being quarantined together and completely without contact with anyone else for about 10 weeks.

With my sister’s experience, which was more acute but lasted about 3.5 weeks, we did not yet have access to some of the protocols and devices we later had access to while I was in my fifth week of having the virus. Some of those latter protocols included peptide support, oxygen therapy via an oxygen concentrator and the nebulization of certain supplements. Everything we did was under the supervision of a doctor (several, actually!). All that said, that these are not my medical suggestions as I’m not a doctor, but a report on what I did that helped in my own personal recovery.

While I had COVID, and even several weeks after recovering and testing negative twice, I still felt some respiratory challenges. Using a nebulizer with a compounded blend of glutathione, NAC and magnesium sulfate helped my respiratory constraints tremendously.

As both a health and wellness practitioner and someone who recovered from a long stint with COVID, I highly recommended having a nebulizer as a part of your household medical care kit, alongside your thermometer, oxygen saturation meter (pulse oximeter) and a wrist blood pressure device.

What the heck is a nebulizer?

A nebulizer is a small piece of medical equipment that is used to administer liquid medication or supplements, directly into the lungs and respiratory system. The direct delivery into the lungs reduces the dosage and the systemic side effects that can come with oral administration. The device converts the water-based solutions into a very fine mist that can be easily inhaled through a mouthpiece or a mask.

Are there different types of nebulizers?

There are 3 types of nebulizers, as there are three ways to convert the liquid into a mist:

Jet – which uses compressed air or air-blast atomization to make an aerosol
Ultrasonic – which uses high-frequency vibrations to make an aerosol
Mesh – where the liquid passes through a very fine mesh to form the aerosol.

Typically, nebulizers are used for acute respiratory distress (asthma attacks), wheezing; chest tightness; severe cough; breathlessness; lung infections, cystic fibrosis; bronchiectasis; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); lung injury; shortness of breath; sinus & respiratory infections; children and adults who have a hard time taking oral medication and supplements or inhalers.

Nebulizer are a more effective way to deliver medications/supplements than an inhaler because it does not require deep breathing.

Typically, the need to nebulize medication or supplements is preceded by an immune-compromised condition or infection. The immediate delivery of the mist into the lungs, blood stream and into the whole body systemically is almost as effective, but less invasive as IV administration. Particularly for children and those with small veins, nebulizing is a much better option, depending the condition and dosage needed.

We used two nebulizers, one by OMRON and one by Phillips, both were jet nebulizers and they were equally effective. Both companies are highly reputable with a long history of manufacturing medical devices and equipment. Depending on the website you go to, some may require a prescription from a doctor for purchase, but there are many sites that do not require an Rx (including Amazon).

As mentioned, we used a prescribed, compounded solution of liquid Glutathione, NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) and Magnesium with saline solution.

Glutathione is a powerful “master” antioxidant, an essential tri-peptide (glycine, cystine and glutamine) that is made in our liver and found in nearly every cell in our body. Because it is not easily absorbed orally (unless liposomal), glutathione is best taken in intravenously, intramuscular injection or nebulized so that it can bypass the digestive tract. Glutathione is a key factor in our immune response, inflammation of the lungs and respiratory tract, DNA repair, liver support, neutralization of chemical/free radicals/oxidative stress, detoxification process, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, regeneration of vitamins C & E, so many things!

Nebulized glutathione has been highly effective in treating the respiratory issues listed above, including my own during with COVID. This is because glutathione is found in the highest concentrations in the lungs and the liver. In the lungs, it is found in the epithelial lining fluid, which is the layer of cells that first come into contact with inhaled air (higher than in our blood serum). These cells are the first line of defense and maintaining high enough glutathione levels is necessary for immune support. Breathing in glutathione direction into the pulmonary tissue is most beneficial, not only for respiratory support but to the whole body systemically.

NAC is another potent antioxidant combined with glutathione as it acts as a precursor to cysteine, which supports the synthesis of glutathione, particularly when the need for it is increased, during oxidative stress and inflammation. NAC also reduces the inflammatory and oxidative stress environment created by the cytokine storm syndrome that has been prevalent in cases of cornonavirus. In addition to the benefits of glutathione alone, the combination of NAC and glutathione together in a nebulized treatment has also been shown to be effective for dissolving the mucous in sinus and respiratory infections, as well supportive for neurotransmitter balancing for issues related to addiction, anxiety and depression.

Separately, health and medical practitioners have used nebulized magnesium to treat asthma and other bronchial and respiratory symptoms. Magnesium acts as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions and works as a smooth muscle relaxant with bronchodilatory effects. When combined with the NAC and glutathione, magnesium works in synergy to promote easy breathing, dissolving of mucous and overall lung health. Although much of this may still be considered “off-label nebulization”, there are many naturopaths, respiratory therapists, pulmonologists and pharmacists that endorse this an alternative, non-invasive treatment for pulmonary issues or infections.

Although you can receive the glutathione (or combo) already prepared in liquid form, ready to go for the nebulizer, you can also use capsules and mix it with pure saline solution. Get the dosage recommendations and instructions from a doctor for best practices, but it can be done at home.

The differences between the type of nebulizers can also affect the type of treatment and dosage desired. We used ours once to twice a day for 15-20 minutes at a time. Always double check with your practitioner as to the best option for your goals and if you have a particular sensitivity to sulfites, or any of these supplements.

In addition to glutathione, NAC and magnesium, there are other colloidal alkalizing solutions that can be nebulized. Again, instructions and dosages come best from a medical practitioner, based on your needs, but supplements include: NAD+, melatonin, food grade hydrogen peroxide 3% (can be diluted), colloidal B vitamins, minerals and some oils. As with all supplements and medications, sides effects can vary depending on the individuals and the dosage.

With NAC, Glutathione and magnesium, there are typically little to no side effects as opposed to side effects from medication. However, for a person with difficulties in breathing, adjusting to a nebulizer may be challenging at first, due to the contraction of the airways and the temperature of the solution (usually it comes from the refrigerator). It can take a moment to adjust to allowing the mist into the airways and lungs, as opposed to trying to swallow through the throat and esophagus. Rarely, nebulizing can exacerbate an asthmatic reaction or a severe coughing fit, but always be conscious of signs of reaction the first times you use it.

It’s also important to note that if someone has COVID-19, there needs to be extra caution in the administering of the nebulizer to the patient. Since we have been informed of the spread of the virus in droplets and mist in the air, there has to be an awareness that nebulizing can also place the virus in the air in the room of the recipient for 2 hours. So, take extreme care with sanitation, masks and other distancing need to be exercised. As with all respiratory and medical devices, proper care and sanitation should always be done to avoid any contamination.

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.

Bottom banner image
From our friends

Comments


  1. What the calculations for this mixture? Can you give a recipe with directions?

    Sheryl | 08.24.2020 | Reply
  2. Can I use my current glutatione prescription (injections) in a nebulizer?

    Mike | 09.13.2020 | Reply
  3. Great article thanks for sharing this information. Could you please give me the contact information of the doctor you used?

    Stacy | 11.13.2020 | Reply
  4. Hello! Can you please share the name of the practitioner who prescribed the nebulization medications?

    Carre | 02.21.2021 | Reply
  5. Hey- answer some of these comments please! I would also love the name of the practitioner who would help w advising on nebulizer treatments

    Sarah | 03.07.2021 | Reply
  6. so many things wrong with this article. Doctors suggest tests to ensure you are not sensitive to sulphur compounds – eg glutathione. Nebulising hydrogen peroxide is an internet fantasy and not recommended by doctors it is an irritant! Nebulising oils can be dangerous as you are coating your tiny alveoli that are responsible for oxygen exchange in OIL! Vaping oils has led to deaths in USA already. Nebulising is not necessarily safe. You are putting chemicals into an organ that, if irritated or sensitised can lead to a rapid death. If you have an allergic reaction and your trachea inflames preventing oxygen intake it takes 4 minutes to die. If your lungs are sensitised they may produce large amounts of fluid trying to clean the irritant, you basically drown in your own mucus.

    Anne | 03.18.2021 | Reply
  7. Ann,
    Who said anything about oils? It’s a dry compound mixed with saline (salt water). Yes, make sure you don’t have a sulfa allergy, but most people try oral Glutathione first. If you don’t have a reaction the compound (dry) form should be fine.

    I have had years of toxic mold exposure from work, two forms of chronic Lyme, four co-infections including Babesiosis and Bartonella. Add MAST cell to it and chronic pain from injuries to the list. After two years of the Horowitz protocol, nebulizer Glutathione is the only thing that cleared my lungs, and the brain fog.

  8. Hi, can you please let me know the strength of the mix that you used, I’ve been struggling with toxic mold for 6 years now, which has led to autoimmune issues as well as histamine intolerance which affects my lungs and obviously my breathing! Thank you so much.

    James | 04.23.2021 | Reply
  9. Ann, you must be drinking too much of the cult kool-aid. This is a very safe and effective way to take your health into your own hands just the way god designed us to do!

  10. Ok, where can I get this stuff and how much to take.

    Brian | 07.01.2021 | Reply
  11. Adding my note to the thread. Following due to MCS and mold illness. I think this could be effective. Please let us know the clinics we could contact for additional information. Now with telehealth, everything is an option! Thanks!

    Sham | 07.02.2021 | Reply
  12. Hey D – also suffering from toxic mold exposure & now chemical sensitivities. Did you see a doctor who put you on the Glutathione? Could you please provide a referral? I desperately need to clear my lungs! Thank you

    Sham | 07.02.2021 | Reply
  13. I’m interested in nebulizing ascorbate (vitamin C) if you have any thoughts I would be interested. Early on during covid I had a scare and nebulized h202 (hydrogen peroxide) and had some negative short term effects and some positive long term effects in regard to my asthma and hardly use an inhaler any more. But any thoughts as to ascorbate would be appreciated.

    Alex | 08.25.2021 | Reply
  14. I first used nebulized glutathione in 2014 when I was diagnosed with severe hypersensitivity pneumonitis (inflamed lungs) from mold poisoning- from water intrusion in my roof, which had to be replaced. Regular MD’s do almost nothing for mold poisoning except tell you to get away from the mold source- that was not enough for me. A local naturopathic Dr prescribed nebulized glutathione, and it worked wonders in helping my lungs recover. In 2020 when I got covid and there were no known treatments for it, 3 days into misery and fear I remembered this treatment, got out my nebulizer and glutathione (old but kept refrigerated) and the effect was dramatic- fever reduced, appetite returned, lungs felt better. It’s not a cure, but sweeps out debris from your lungs and reduces viral load. Cut to a week ago, 4/27/22, I tested positive for covid in this latest wave of omicron mutation. Just finished a 5 day course of Paxlovid, pfizer’s recent antiviral, and yes it made a huge difference in reducing illness, though I’m still testing positive. Just ordered another two bottles of Glutastat (glutathione + formula) and will continue to use it.

    Jonathan F | 05.03.2022 | Reply
  15. Hi where do you get your glutathione from

    Paul | 06.29.2022 | Reply
  16. Excellent to have someone with first hand experience with nebulizing Glutathione. It’d be great to know how many milligrams of glutathione and also NAC & Magnesium. And, should the powdered sentiment be filtered out before filling the reservoir?

    Tom Childs | 08.21.2022 | Reply
  17. Hi , I use H202 in a nebuliser and have just ordered some glutathione to use in it also, do you know if I can nebulise them both in the nebuliser at the same time? been searching for an answer not found it yet :/

    Kyte Munay | 10.11.2022 | Reply
  18. I’m currently fighting Covid, 19 .. I’ve personally found this machine to be a life saver, If I do it at bed time I sleep much better, without feeling like I’m fighting for air. I also do it walking up to start my day.. And sometimes if I’m feeling short of breath through the day.. it really does help . Randy Morgan

    Randy | 12.30.2022 | Reply
  19. Someone above said ‘Nebulising hydrogen peroxide is an internet fantasy and not recommended by doctors it is an irritant!’

    And yet if it weren’t for that I wouldn’t even be here able to write this comment because it saved my life. It being an irritant is why you only use a small amount in sterile saline. Why would something like that be recommended by Doctors? they only recommend drugs that treat symptoms. Nebulizing with a drop of 5% lugols iodine and sterile saline is probably even more powerful, it’s certainly more gentle. The brainwashing has got to the point that safe, cheap and natural treatments are feared but when it comes to injecting an unknown chemical, people line up.

    Joel | 11.02.2023 | Reply

Leave A Comment


*