Protecting yourself from air pollution
Every day, you breathe in around 2,000 gallons of air, enough to fill an average swimming pool. And when it is polluted with particulate matter, it increases inflammation throughout your body, increases your risk for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, worsens asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and leads to premature death.
Very small particles labeled PM2.5 that come from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or wood are a main cause of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. And a new study in Kidney International Reports says they also cause progression of primary glomerular disease that damages the kidney's ability to filter out toxins. Black carbon particles from diesel fuel, even when in the Environmental Protection Agency's "safe" range, are the riskiest, boosting the chance of progressing to end-stage kidney disease by around 50%.
Larger particles of pollution, called PM10, also cause inflammation and worsen respiratory and heart diseases. They're associated with landfills and agriculture, wildfires, industry, dust and pollen.
So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family? Use air purifiers with HEPA air filters indoors. Run air conditioning on the recirculate setting. Keep track of the Air Quality Index and avoid exercising outside on highly polluted days. Wear a mask outside when walking in high-traffic areas, if you already have asthma, kidney or heart disease. Plus, ask your doctor if your kidney problems mean you need to take an anti-inflammatory like baby aspirin or colchicine or more vitamin C, D and the B complex.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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