149 | id == 149
149 | category_id == 17
149 | category_order == 14
149 | category_name == Respiratory Health
149 | category_color == #C47AC0
149 | slug == FAAH-ARDS
149 | title == Does This Cannabinoid Gene Increase The Risk Of ARDS? (FAAH)
149 | meta_description == The FAAH gene, which interacts with the cannabinoid system, may affect the risk of lung failure. Learn more here!
149 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Research on the FAAH gene has mostly focused on its unique effects on pain and drug abuse. However, there is also evidence that certain genetic variants may increase susceptibility to lung failure. Find out how this gene works and who may be affected.</strong></p>
149 | overall_score_text == Lung Health Score (Based On FAAH Gene)
149 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/FAAH--ARDS.jpg
149 | author_id == 8
149 | author_name == Mathew Eng
149 | author_title == PharmD
149 | author_order == 40
149 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Mathew.jpg
149 | author_intro == <p><strong>Mathew received his PharmD from the University of Hawaii and an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Washington.</strong></p>    <p>Mathew is a licensed pharmacist with clinical experience in oncology, infectious disease, and diabetes management. He has a passion for personalized patient care and believes that education is essential to living a healthy life. His goal is to motivate individuals to find ways to manage their chronic conditions.</p>
149 | reviewer == None
149 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
149 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
149 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
149 | publish_date == 2020
149 | publish_date == 4
149 | publish_date == 13
149 | avg_rating == 5.0
149 | tags_id == 348
149 | tags_name == ARDS
149 | tags_id == 60
149 | tags_name == Endocannabinoid System
149 | tags_id == 370
149 | tags_name == FAAH Gene
149 | tags_id == 136
149 | tags_name == HDL
149 | tags_id == 24
149 | tags_name == Inflammation
149 | tags_id == 336
149 | tags_name == Respiratory Infection
149 | permissions_favorite == False
149 | permissions_rate == False
149 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. If you suspect you may have any kind of infection, seek medical help immediately. Keep in mind that these results are based on association studies, which are correlative and aren&rsquo;t necessarily causative. In addition, any single genetic variant will typically contribute only a small proportion to the overall risk of the condition, and non-genetic factors play a large role in developing a condition as well. Therefore, just because you have one of these genotypes does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing this condition!</span></em></p> <h2><strong>What Is the <em>FAAH</em> Gene?</strong></h2> <p><a href="../../gene/faah/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> helps create an enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The main function of the FAAH enzyme is to break down certain compounds in the body, including [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15952893"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several types of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/what-are-fatty-acids/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fatty acids</span></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Certain endocannabinoids (compounds that activate the </span><a href="https://selfhack.com/blog/the-lectin-sensitive-gene-cannabanoid-receptor-1-genes-cnr1-rs1049353/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cannabinoid system</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oleamide, a sleep-inducing compound</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because of its link to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/49-ways-increase-natural-cannabinoids-without-smoking-pot-including-ways-decrease-cannabinoids/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cannabinoid</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and pain receptors, many studies have explored the effects of the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene on </span><a href="https://selfhack.com/blog/the-bliss-gene-faah-snps-rs324420/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pain relief, drug abuse, and anxiety</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882713/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16972078"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is also some evidence that certain variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may influence susceptibility to a lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which we&rsquo;ll focus on in this article [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23048207"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene helps create an enzyme called FAAH, which is responsible for breaking down certain compounds in the body. Variations in </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have been linked to a lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).</span></span></p> <h2><strong><em>FAAH</em> &amp; Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)</strong></h2> <h3><strong>What Is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome?</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a sudden lung failure caused by blood poisoning (sepsis), severe pneumonia, or other critical conditions. Most ARDS patients require urgent supportive care in the intensive care unit (ICU) to avoid a fatal outcome [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28157386/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26759013/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24584519/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Uncontrolled inflammation caused by excessive cytokine release is the hallmark of ARDS. The stimulation of white blood cells can cause a so-called cytokine storm and do more damage than the infection itself [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26757701/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26895644/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27381687"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4176007/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32192578"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a form of lung failure resulting from severe inflammation of the lungs. Causes include respiratory infections and other critical conditions.</span></p> <h3><strong>How Do Variants Of <em>FAAH</em> Affect ARDS?</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Research suggests that a specific variant of the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene may be associated with lung health. </span><strong>More specifically the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele of rs324420 appears to increase the risk of developing ARDS</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One study looked at the genes of over 1,700 critically ill Caucasian patients and found that the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele of rs324420 may increase the risk of ARDS related to lung trauma, sepsis, pneumonia, and other causes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This variant can cause weight gain, which is a risk factor for ARDS. However, even after adjustment for BMI, rs324420 remained independently associated with increased risk of acute lung injury [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why does the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele have this effect? Research shows that the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele reduces the expression of the gene, leading to significantly lower levels of the FAAH enzyme in the body [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15254019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it&rsquo;s not totally clear why reduced expression of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> leads to an increased risk of ARDS. It may be related to evidence that the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele is also linked to lower </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/hdl-cholesterol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HDL cholesterol</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19958092/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">HDL cholesterol may have a protective effect against inflammation. </span><strong>Some researchers theorize that by reducing HDL levels, the &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele may increase susceptibility to inflammation and ARDS</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3654537/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A certain variant of the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene is associated with lower levels of the FAAH enzyme and a higher risk of developing ARDS, according to results from Caucasian populations. </span>Some researchers think this happens because this <em>FAAH</em> variant reduces HDL cholesterol, leading to higher levels of inflammation.</span></p> <h2><strong>Your <em>FAAH</em> Results for Lung Health</strong></h2> <p>*5478391877958897*</p> <p><strong>Primary SNP:&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>FAAH rs324420</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Not associated with lung conditions</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Associated with a higher risk of developing ARDS</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This association has only been found in Caucasian populations</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 8% of people have the &lsquo;AA&rsquo; genotype (highest risk)</span></li> </ul> <p>*7655583437518928*</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations for Lung Health</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <p>*5899743112328364*</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Certain variants of the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene have been linked to lower expression of FAAH and greater risk of developing ARDS.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In order to reverse this negative effect, your first thought may be to increase your levels of FAAH. However, </span><a href="https://selfhack.com/blog/the-bliss-gene-faah-snps-rs324420/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">high expression of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may also lead to health issues</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead, we&rsquo;ll focus on recommendations that improve </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/hdl-cholesterol/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HDL levels</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (which is how some researchers think </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAAH</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> affects ARDS risk) as well as general ways to improve lung health.</span></p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Regular Exercise</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regular physical activity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is one of the best ways to boost HDL levels, reduce inflammatory factors, and improve lung function.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to some estimates, moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise can increase HDL levels by 5% to 10% [</span><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Up_with_HDL_the_good_cholesterol"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11451756"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise also improves lung capacity and may help improve outcomes in those that develop ARDS [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818249/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4630552/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is because ARDS often leads to muscle weakness, which then lowers long-term survival chances for those that end up recovering from ARDS [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4630552/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12594312/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Research suggests that ARDS patients who are physically active are more likely to live longer and have better quality of life [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4630552/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12594312/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Weight Management</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Research shows that obesity can change how the body metabolizes different types of fat, leading to lower HDL levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3207906/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198293"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Studies also indicate that obesity is a strong risk factor for ARDS. Those who are overweight are much more likely to develop this respiratory condition [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435141/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27684705"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Quit Smoking</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoking can affect fat metabolism, which is why HDL levels are often significantly lower in smokers [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23852759"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4177613/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Those who quit smoking can expect a rapid increase of HDL within a couple of weeks of quitting, according to research [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4177613/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoking also makes the lungs much more susceptible to infections, injury, and ARDS. For those that smoke, quitting can be one of the best ways to help prevent ARDS and other lung-related conditions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737582/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4538990/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15534156"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Avoid Pollution</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exposure to air pollution has been associated with reduced HDL levels and function (through its increased oxidative damage) in human studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30700134"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5407952/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30048882"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31622905"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition, multiple studies have associated long-term exposure to high air pollution levels with increased chances of developing ARDS and dying from it [<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29706622">R</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30926395">R</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683074/">R</a>].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise, a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding air pollution can all help increase HDL cholesterol levels, improve lung health, and reduce the risk of respiratory conditions.</span></span></p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Diets That Boost HDL</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good way to raise HDL levels is to make sure you are eating healthy fats. This means replacing </span><a href="https://selfhack.com/blog/saturatedfats-low-carb-diet-vs-high-carb-diet/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">saturated</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and trans fats in the diet with healthier </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/mufas-health-benefits-monounsaturated-fats/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">unsaturated fats</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20089734"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been shown to improve HDL levels and lower the levels of cytokines that can cause inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30445703"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some components of the Mediterranean diet include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nuts</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lean meats and fish (and limiting red meat)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using healthy fats, especially </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil</span></a></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This diet has also been associated with improved lung health, especially in smokers. A study of 207 smokers found that those eating a Mediterranean diet had better lung function than those on a Western diet [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5123418/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6413220/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377870/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The Mediterranean diet may help boost HDL cholesterol while improving lung function in some people.</span></p> <h4><strong>Olive Oil</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (an important component of the Mediterranean diet) has been shown to not only increase HDL levels, but also improve the stability and functionality of HDL particles in the body [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606102/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29125992"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In animal studies, olive oil was able to alter immune function by stimulating the development of white blood cells and blocking cytokine production [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17922961"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20204249"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some evidence suggests that certain compounds found in olive oil may have antiviral effects as well [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863266/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another study in rats found that olive oil may help protect against lung tissue damage caused by oxidative stress [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27378219"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Olive oil can help raise HDL cholesterol levels. It may also have antiviral effects and help protect the lungs against injury from oxidative stress.</span></p> <h4><strong>Dietary Polyphenols</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds naturally found in plants. Eating a diet rich in polyphenols has been associated with a better blood fat profile, including higher HDL levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728629/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877555/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18258621"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27890487"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Food sources of polyphenols include red berries, apples, oranges, vegetables, olive oil, dark chocolate, green tea, coffee, and red wine.&nbsp;</span></p> <h4><strong>Adequate Zinc Intake</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In people deficient in zinc (such as in hemodialysis patients or those with uncontrolled diabetes), supplementation with this nutrient restored blood zinc and increased HDL levels. However, zinc seems to have no effect on the blood fat profile of people with a sufficient intake of this mineral [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19925287"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12105816"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31345359"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20034629"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study of 116 people, those who developed ARDS had lower blood </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/literally-everything-wanted-know-zinc-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">zinc </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">levels than both people in the ICU who didn&rsquo;t develop this complication and healthy volunteers. The same study found that zinc deficiency stimulated the development of lung injuries due to mechanical ventilation in mice [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5453708/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p>To avoid zinc deficiency, consider adding zinc-rich foods to your diet. Some of these include seafood (especially oysters), beef, pork, beans, and pumpkin seeds [<a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/">R</a>].</p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Omega-3 Fatty Acids</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A number of studies show that </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/fish-oil-top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">omega-3 fatty acids</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, such as the fish oils EPA and DHA, can moderately increase HDL while also reducing triglycerides and inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22339302"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5691715/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several studies also suggest that </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/omega-3-fatty-acids-coronavirus/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">omega-3 fatty acids may improve lung function</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, primarily by reducing inflammation in the airways [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6533751/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25572556"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30703574"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Importantly, 2 meta-analyses concluded that omega-3 supplementation may improve ARDS symptoms and reduce its death rate [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30703574"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5984323/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition, a study of 642 people with asthma found that higher EPA and DHA levels were associated with a reduced risk of airway hyperreactivity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6338947/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Omega-3 fish oils, like EPA and DHA, have been shown to increase HDL and improve outcomes related to ARDS.</span></p> <h4><strong>Royal Jelly</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Royal jelly improved HDL levels in old (but not young) people with high blood cholesterol and in patients with diabetes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19388854"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30935531"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Propolis</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Propolis improved blood fat profile, including HDL levels, in one clinical trial on 67 healthy volunteers and one on 94 people with type 2 diabetes. It also had this effect in diabetic rats [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429932/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927127/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927127/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>N-Acetylcysteine</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2 clinical trials on 10 people with high blood fat levels and 24 diabetic men, supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) increased HDL levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8108311"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18268065"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NAC can improve lung function and reduce </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/oxidative-stress-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">oxidative stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a risk factor for ARDS [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27117852"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23348146"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16298736"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Schisandra</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a clinical trial on 28 obese women, supplementation with schisandra fruit extract increased HDL levels (and improved other metabolic parameters) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26048342"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, different schisandra extract and their components improved blood fat profile, including HDL levels, in mice fed high-fat diets and diabetic rats [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537938/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3532177/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31155547"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both schisandra extract and its compound schisantherin A reduced lung inflammation and ARDS caused by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (</span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/lipopolysaccharides/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">LPS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) in mice [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22543173"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24975658"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">YiQiFuMai, a Chinese injection with schisandra, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ginseng/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ginseng</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and dwarf lilyturf (</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ophiopogon</span></em> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">japonicus</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">), had similar effects in another study in mice [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30372902"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h4><strong>Black Cumin Seed</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The trials of black cumin seed to improve blood fat profile produced controversial results. A meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials concluded that only black cumin seed powder, but not the oil, could increase HDL levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5122217/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29154069"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26875640"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">In animal studies, black seed extract prevented lung inflammation and damage caused by a chemotherapeutic drug (bleomycin), sulfur mustard gas, and hydrochloric acid [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5987441/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18432455"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21801826"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19428057"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></strong></p> <h4><strong>Berberine</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/berberine-19-health-benefits-of-berberine-with-references/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Berberine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a compound found in several different types of plants that are commonly used in traditional medicine, such as Barberry, Oregon Grape, and Goldenseal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A scientific review of 16 studies totalling over 2,100 people concluded that berberine may increase HDL levels, as well as lower LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30466986"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other reviews have found similar results, although in all the reviews the researchers acknowledge that the quality of studies are generally low [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30466986"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25498346"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23512497"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is also some evidence that berberine may have antimicrobial properties, which could potentially be beneficial against respiratory infections.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A mouse study suggests that berberine may block virus replication, reduce inflammation, and prevent tissue damage in mice infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30306659"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cell studies show that berberine may have activity against multiple types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, its effect in humans is unclear until further research is done [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12422513"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12499659"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660679"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4503092/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Berberine, a compound found in several plants, may help improve HDL levels. Animal and cell studies also suggest that berberine may have antimicrobial activity.</span></p> <h4><strong>Cocoa Extract</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/chocolate-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The cocoa (or cacao) bean</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is what chocolate is made from. Certain compounds inside this bean may help raise HDL cholesterol levels, according to multiple clinical trials [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17344491"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26348767"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26338890"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23595874"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, a small study of 25 people found that supplementation with cocoa powder for 12 weeks increased HDL by 24% more than the control group [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17344491"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several studies propose that cocoa extract may have antiviral and antiparasitic effects as well [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25847473"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20044213"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a study in guinea pigs, cocoa powder may also improve asthma symptoms [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25004832"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Supplementation with cocoa extract can potentially increase HDL. It may also have antimicrobial properties and help with asthma symptoms, according to animal studies.</span></p>
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149 | content_learn_more_7655583437518928_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your FAAH gene is somewhat associated with higher rates of ARDS. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall lung health — just one gene related to it. Certain lifestyle, diet, and supplement choices can help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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