5 Ways to combat the effects of wildfire smoke exposure.
Wildfires and the smoke that comes with them can be very damaging to your body. Wildfire smoke can contain numerous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (1). One main concern is the particulate matter from the smoke especially the small size particle matter2.5. According to the EPA "Fine particulate matter or PM2.5 (total mass of particles below 2.5 microns in diameter) is known to cause adverse health effects in humans." (2).
Here is a link if you want to find out the current PM2.5 levels in your area. https://www.airnow.gov/
Particle matter affects the respiratory system through increase inflammatory responses, pulmonary oxidative stress, and elevated cytokines (3).
HERE ARE FIVE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Stay hydrated, water is the most common nutritional deficiency in the US population. Early signs of hydration are fatigue, anxiety, headaches, cramps, cravings, depression, and irritability. Drinking adequate water during wildfire and smoke exposure is essential as it lubricates our mucus membranes.
You should drink half your body weight of water in oz. every day. For every 8 oz. of diuretic (coffee, soda, alcohol, packaged fruit juices, and caffeinated teas) you drink, you should add 12-16 oz. water to your daily consumption.
Eat anti-inflammatory foods like healthy fat foods like salmon, avocados, flax, walnuts. Berries, green tea, leafy greens, and turmeric to help combat inflammation.
Eat cruciferous vegetables and liver supporting foods like broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, red beets, lemon, radish, and bitter greens like arugula and dandelion. Your liver gets rid of any toxins that you are getting from exposure to the smoke. These foods help to support your liver and bile. This recipe from my blog is great for liver support.
Take HydrOxygen from CellCore Biosciences that supports healthy oxygen levels. It can be taken internally, nebulized, or applied topically to burns. Wildfire smoke can cause elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the air limiting the amount of oxygen in the air. This NASA map shows the carbon monoxide plume over three days from wildfires in California.
Take a binder wildfire smoke can have many toxins in it. Binders are things like clays, charcoals, and chlorella that bind onto toxins and carry them out of the body. ViRadChem Binder from CellCore is a great binder for this that can be taken with food, unlike more traditional binders for helping carry the toxins from the smoke out of your body.