DEAR DR. GOTT: Is there a cleansing recipe I can make at home to clear out toxins in my lungs? Being a former smoker, I want to make sure that my lungs are as clear and clean as possible.

DEAR READER: The lungs are organs the body cannot live without. Unfortunately, many people function with lungs that are not healthy, resulting in countless upper-respiratory infections and difficulties throughout their lives. The air we breathe is filled with impurities -- from firsthand, secondhand or thirdhand cigarette smoke; cleaning-solution chemicals; automobile-exhaust fumes; and many other sources.

Herbal remedies for cleansing are many and include lotus-root tea, lemon juice, antioxidants, minerals, watercress soup and a host of other combinations. Save your money. Once damage is done to your lungs, the only effective treatment is to refrain from smoking and to limit possible exposure. If you have not already had one, request a chest X-ray to determine whether your habit has done any harm. If so, you may wish to make an appointment with a pulmonologist, who can provide some direction.

Each second, minute, hour and day you breathe without exposing yourself to toxins works toward the purification goal. I am sure that I will be chastised for panning cleansing recipes, but I find it hard to understand how blackened lungs will improve by drinking lemon juice or eating a bowl of watercress soup. You have recognized the dangers of smoking and have taken steps to correct the problem. By doing so, you are already on the path to a healthier life. The task of making a decision to discontinue smoking is not an easy one. Congratulations to you.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Pulmonary Disease." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

DEAR DR. GOTT: You recently wrote about the benefits of cod-liver oil. Is there a downside? Are there likely to be significant quantities of heavy metals or other toxic substances concentrated in cods' livers?

DEAR READER: Generally speaking, cod-liver oil is safe for most people. It can, however, result in belching, heartburn, halitosis and nosebleeds in some users when taken on an empty stomach. When taken with meals, these unwanted symptoms are vastly reduced.

High doses of the supplement may be unsafe in that they can keep blood from clotting, may increase the chance of bleeding, cause loose stools and nausea, and cause blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. People on hypertensive medication should check with their physicians before using it and should be monitored periodically to avoid unwanted consequences. There are also reports of vitamins A and D being too high in some users while on the supplement.

Cod-liver oil is no different than any other supplement in that you should check with your physician before using it. He or she best knows your medical history and can provide appropriate guidance.

Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including "Live Longer, Live Better," "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet" and "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook," which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com.

Copyright 2010, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.