Using dietary supplements and other alternative treatments is something that millions of Americans do in order to stay strong. Now, researchers have announced that many urban adolescents with asthma use alternative and integrative medicine for their pulmonary health.

A study conducted at the University of Cincinnati found that 71 percent of participants between the ages of 11 and 19 used some form of alternative therapy to try to minimize the symptoms of asthma and improve quality of life.

These results were presented at the National Conference in Pediatric Psychology in San Antonio, Texas.

In particular, many teens engaged in prayer, meditation, relaxation techniques and other spiritual methods to reduce their anxiety over the common condition.

More than 7 million children and 17 million adults in the U.S. have asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 456,000 hospital discharges list the primary reason for the visit as asthma, the agency adds.

Maintaining good respiratory health and overall well-being can include the pursuit of nutritional supplementation. Individuals who take vitamin supplements and herbal remedies often report feeling better, less anxious and more physically vigorous.