Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a cruel and deadly disease affecting the respiratory system, digestive system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. CF is a disease of greatly varied symptomatology due to the many possible mutations contributing to genotype and phenotype. This creates a disease complex with a wide range of disorders that can ultimately include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, CF-associated liver fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and arthritis. The primary destructive component, however, is seen in the lungs, resulting in the uncertain life span associated with this disease. Controlling bacterial infection and managing the status of macroand micronutrients remain a constant challenge. Due to the severity of this recessive disorder, conventional medical treatment is mandatory. However, many alternative medical options, such as coenzyme Q10, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, antioxidants, and amino acid therapies have proven to be significant contributors to the treatment of one of the ultimate co-management diseases of our time. (Alt Med Rev 1997;2(2):104-115)