Saltwater Could Be Solution for Cystic Fibrosis

NBC's Helen Chickering ReportingIn this day of hi-tech medicine comes a surprisingly simple breakthrough treatment for a deadly lung disease. In fact, the key ingredient is found on almost every kitchen table.

A staple of the sea may hold the key to helping clear the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients like 22-year old Jenny Bailey.

Richard Boucher, M.D., University of North Carolina: "The irony is that in 2006 the real therapy that is treating the basic cause of cystic fibrosis lung disease is going to be inhaled saltwater, and I think that was a shock to a lot of us."

Research out of the University of North Carolina suggests inhaling a concentrated salt water solution called hypertonic saline helps the lubricate the lungs, improving their ability to clear out sticky mucus that can harbor bacteria and cause infection

Scott Donaldson, M.D., University of North Carolina: "About a 50% percent increase in the speed out of which things move out of the lungs, that was really remarkable."

And it's cheap, at pennies a dose with almost no risk of side effects. A second study out of Australia finds the therapy cut the number of days patients spent in the hospital and improved quality of life.

Along with improving lung function, researchers say the salt water therapy breakthrough may also lead to better drugs to treat cystic fibrosis.

Jenny Bailey, a recent newlywed, is counting on it.

Jenny Bailey: "When I was born in 1983 they never expected kids with cystic fibrosis to grow out of their childhood. Few made to 18. I'm 22, just started a life and am doing very well."

Researchers actually got the idea for the therapy from the sea, noting that surfers with cystic fibrosis had fewer lung problems. Researchers are now testing the saltwater therapy in children.