The Role of Genes in Lung Failure Severity (MAP3K1)

Avoid Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke may worsen the impact of your variant by increasing IL-6, TNF-a, and other inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. In one study, it strengthened the link between different MAPK genes, including MAP3K1, and mortality [R, R, R].

Smoking is associated with an increased incidence, duration, and severity of respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, flu, and pneumonia. It can increase the risk of developing ARDS as a complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [R, R]. 

Cigarette smoke irritates the airways, damages their lining, prevents mucus clearance, and reduces the antimicrobial activity of white blood cells (macrophages) in the lungs [R, R]. 

In children, exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke contributes to upper and lower respiratory tract infections, wheezing, and asthma. Cigarette smoke likely impairs the development and function of their lungs [R, R].

Whether you are concerned about ARDS or not, giving up smoking is always a good idea to improve your overall health and protect the ones around you.

Avoid cigarette smoke to reduce MAP3K1-related inflammation, improve overall health, and prevent respiratory complications.

Reduce Stress

Stress is a well-known inflammation trigger. It increases norepinephrine (NE) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), leading to MAPK activation [R, R].

Acute stress exposure may help keep the immune system “in shape,” but chronic stress has potent inhibitory effects [R, R].

A meta-analysis of 27 clinical trials confirmed the link between psychosocial stress and the risk of upper respiratory infections [R].

In 532 Swedish adults, work-related stress was associated with asthma and respiratory infections, especially in men [R].

Try to reduce stress by practicing your favorite relaxation techniques and devoting more time to relaxing and fun activities.

Chronic stress increases inflammation via MAPK, suppresses the immune response, and raises the risk of respiratory infections.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in polyphenols, phytosterols, and other active components that inhibit MAP3K1-associated cytokines [R, R, R, R].

When consumed in large quantities, polyphenols may act directly against viruses and boost immunity. Some of the most-potent ones include [R, R, R]:

• Fisetin (strawberries, apples, tomatoes, onions, nuts, wine) [R, R]
• Apigenin (parsley, chamomile, celery, artichokes, oregano, red wine) [R]
• Luteolin (carrots, peppers, celery, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, oregano) [R]
• Quercetin (red grapes, citrus fruit, onions, broccoli, leafy greens) [R]
• Resveratrol (red grapes, blueberries, apples, plums) [R]

Garlic

Sulfurous compounds from garlic suppress inflammation via MAPK and NF-kB. Hence, scientists have been researching garlic for a range of inflammatory conditions [R, R].

In test tubes, garlic extract was active against several viruses that cause respiratory infections [R, R].

Aged garlic extract reduced the severity of colds and flu in a study of 120 people. It increased the number of immune cells (T cells and NK cells) while lowering inflammatory cytokines [R].

In another clinical trial of 146 healthy volunteers, a garlic supplement helped prevent the common cold and reduce its duration [R].

Choose raw garlic for optimal effects and crush it before consumption to release the active ingredients [R, R, R]. 

Garlic may suppress MAPK, strengthen the immune response, and help prevent respiratory infections. 

Omega-3/Fish oil

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, EPA and DHA, suppress an array of inflammatory genes, including the MAPK genes [R, R, R].

They may improve lung function, primarily by reducing inflammation in the airways. Both EPA and DHA reduce ARDS-associated cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6 [R, R, R, R, R].

A review of 7 clinical trials and over 2,000 children suggests that supplementation with omega-3s during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of wheezing and asthma in the child [R].

Another review of 12 clinical trials including 1,280 patients found that omega-3 supplementation (mostly intravenous) may improve lung function and reduce the need for ventilators in ARDS patients [R].

In a meta-analysis of 18 studies and almost 1,800 people, omega-3 supplementation (both orally and through infusion) reduced the risk of ARDS due to blood infection (sepsis) [R].

However, many large studies have found that supplementation with omega-3s does not affect lung function, including in those with asthma, COPD, and ARDS [R, R, R, R, R].

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can reduce MAPK-related lung inflammation. They may improve lung function and improve ARDS outcomes, but the evidence is conflicting.

Andrographis

Andrographolide, an active ingredient in andrographis, may help with different inflammatory conditions by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-kB pathways. Among 20 tested extracts, andrographis showed the greatest reduction in IL-1b, IL-1a, and IL-6  [R, R, R, R].

Andrographis extracts reduced symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and headache in people with mild respiratory infections [R, R, R, R].

According to a meta-analysis of 33 trials and over 7,000 people, andrographis can help reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections. There are also promising studies looking into the effects of andrographis in people with pneumonia [R, R].

In mice with flu and pneumonia, andrographis improved survival and inflammation when added to conventional drugs [R, R].

Andrographis can suppress inflammation via MAPK and reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections.

Colostrum

Colostrum supplements may lessen the effects of your MAP3K1 variant by inhibiting TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-8. In human tissues, complex sugars from colostrum can prevent pathogens from spiking these cytokines and causing excessive inflammation [R, R, R].

Some experts call colostrum the baby’s natural vaccination. Interestingly enough, two studies with 285 people suggest that colostrum may be a superior means of flu prevention compared to a vaccine [R, R].

In one clinical trial of 174 people, fewer people reported upper respiratory tract infection symptoms while taking colostrum protein, compared to whey protein [R]. 

However, another trial of 148 people found low doses of colostrum ineffective for sore throat [R].

In five clinical trials of 152 athletes or physically active people, supplementation with colostrum during periods of intense exercise reduced the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections [R, R, R, R, R].

As expected, this benefit might be even more important in children. In a study of 605 children with either respiratory illness or diarrhea, colostrum decreased the number of respiratory episodes by over 90% after 12 weeks. In 160 children, colostrum achieved similar benefits in just four weeks [R, R].

Colostrum supplements may inhibit inflammation by targeting MAPK-associated cytokines. They stimulate the immune response and may help with different respiratory infections.

Probiotics

A mouse study found that a probiotic containing various Lactobacillus strains (L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. gasseri) and Bifidobacterium strains (B. thermophilus, B. longum, and B. adolescentis) may lower the expression of MAP3K1 [R].

Probiotic supplements including different species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium reduced the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections in multiple studies on both adults and children [R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Probiotics have been suggested to work by correcting imbalances in the gut microbiota that cause an impaired immune system [R].

Probiotic supplements may decrease MAP3K1 expression while also potentially reducing the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections.