Support Your Respiratory Health During Wildfire Season and Beyond

The United States, due to its location near the equator, faces diverse weather conditions, including frequent droughts, tropical cyclones, floods, and severe temperatures. Sometimes, the temperature even reaches up to 75-85°F, which is truly unbearable. Eventually, this high temperature causes wildfires in Areas near the west and midwest of the US, burning forests and forests into ashes. The gases from these wildfires are contaminated with extremely toxic air pollutants that severely threaten climate and living beings.

These factors contaminate the air, leading to an unhealthy environment. Bad ecology generally aggravates pre-existing disorders and diseases, i.e., allergies, cardiovascular disorders, thoracic disorders, inflammation, lung cancer, skin cancer, and pulmonary disorders. In most cases, chemicals like arsenic and lead even lead to asthma and hearing loss.

To cope with such severe crappy environmental conditions, we must focus on consuming healthy diets and lifestyles to strengthen our bodies.

Support Your Respiratory Health During Wildfire Season and Beyond

Layers of ashes from wildfires contain contagious metals and harmful pollutants that are harmful to health, therefore food enriched with essential nutrients and vitamins is highly recommended. A variety of healthy foods in the diet containing adequate amounts of Vitamin D, and Vitamin C are very helpful in protecting the body from the aftereffects of fires. Moreover, food with sufficient protective antioxidants protects the body from the effects of smoke and reduces the effects of heavy metals.

Vitamin D-rich Food

Vitamin D is the most essential nutrient when talking about things related to smoke and inhalation. Vitamin D can prevent the damage caused to the lungs and other respiratory organs due to smoke and toxic compounds released through burning or oxidation. According to research, vitamin D is essential not just for respiratory organs like lungs but also for protecting the immune system. If a person has adequate vitamin D intake, the risks of getting respiratory diseases like COPD or Asthma are highly reduced.

Most importantly, our bodies should have sufficient vitamin D stores when it comes to exposure to burning ashes, rising smoke, and heavy metals in the air. Wildfires may cause inflammation in respiratory passage and vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that can limit the inflammation caused by the toxins. Therefore, Vitamin D is preferred after exposure to gases and smoke to prevent inflammation of the lungs and respiratory tract.

How do you manage your Vitamin D intake?

Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D; however, in such areas where the temperature is extremely high, direct exposure to sunlight is not recommended due to high UVA and UVB indices. Therefore, vitamin-D rich foods and supplements are required to meet body requirement.

Which foods are rich sources of Vitamin D?

• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Tuna
• Egg Yolk
• Milk
• Cheese
• Red Meat
• Mushrooms
• Cereals
• Plant Milk
• Almond Milk
• Orange Juice

Along with diet, vitamin D is also consumed through supplements. We recommend Seeking Health's Vitamin D3/K2 blend. 

Antioxidants

Nutrients that inhibit the oxidation process and oxidative stress in the body are called antioxidants. Antioxidants are the best source of prevention against inflammation and the harmful effects of free radicals that are produced in the body after direct contact with carcinogenic chemicals, smoke, and UV rays.

Free radicals increase the risk of inflammation and several health issues for the body; therefore, antioxidants are used to prevent the serious effects caused by free radicals and are called free radical scavengers. Antioxidants also repair the cell damage caused by free radicals and bring the cell back to its proper functioning.

During wildfire seasons, the increased exposure to oxides and carbon monoxide in the air causes stress on the body that can lead to more free radicals production.Food and supplements enriched with antioxidants are highly recommended so that the body's internal mechanism is stabilized oxidative stress is managed.

How can you manage your Intake of antioxidants?

The most effective and successful antioxidant is considered to be flavonoid. Flavanoid is extremely helpful in preventing cell damage caused by free radicals. Moreover, it also eliminates the deposition of contagious ions and various chemical particles released during wildfires.

Which foods are the best sources of Antioxidants?

• Dark chocolate
• Blueberries
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Artichokes
• Capsicum
• Avocado
• Lettuce
• Pecan
• Raspberries
• Grapes
• Apricot
• Kiwi

If you are looking for healthy supplements enriched with antioxidants to boost your immune system, you must try Pure Encapsulation's AntiOxidant Formula.

Cysteine and N-Acetyl Cysteine

Cysteine, a non-essential proteinogenic amino acid, replenishes the store of glutathione in the body. However, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is the oral formulation that is commonly used for the synthesis of the body’s natural protein. N-acetyl cysteine increases the production of glutathione which is a potent antioxidant that repairs the cell damage caused by exposure to smoke and contaminated air.

NAC is usually prescribed for respiratory disorders, including cough, mucous production, and lung infections. It is a clinically proven supplement that lowers liver inflammation, lowers excessive mucous production, and relieves chest congestion. NAC is also helpful in preventing severe episodes of asthma. NAC boosts the immunity of the body by enhancing the defense mechanism of the body against acute bronchitis and asthma.

Which foods are enriched with Cysteine?

• Ricotta
• Red meat
• Turkey
• Yogurt
• Poultry
• Soya bean
• Cottage cheese
• Egg
• Walnut
• Duck
• Oats
• Rice
• Lentils

Are you looking for a real NAC supplement to elevate your levels? This NAC by Allergy Research Group is an excellent recommendation.

Hydration

Maintaining body hydration is crucial for all aspects of health. Especially during these rough climates and wildfires, the body requires an adequate amount of water to thin down the mucus lining your airways. When the mucus is thick and sticky, it restricts the movements of cilia that are normally required to remove the inhaled toxins. The sticky mucus will continue to build up and accumulate the inhaled toxins in the atmosphere, leading to infection or inflammation of the respiratory tract.

Smoke released during wildfires contains many harmful chemicals that cause inflammation and several diseases. Water is the most essential component of life. During these worse conditions, one must have an excess to an adequate amount of water, which can protect the body from inflammation and also protect the body from the aftereffects of wildfire.

Water is necessary for regulating blood flow so that the body receives enough oxygen from the lungs and maintains internal homeostasis. Opposite can happen if we neglect consumption of water. Insufficient intake of water can cause dehydration, which may disturb the body's homeostasis. Although the human body comprises up to 70% water, even then, a minor loss of up to 2-3% can lead to extremely severe complications in the body. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headache, body aches, seizures, dizziness, etc.

Dehydration is not just limited to water; disturbance of electrolytes also leads to dehydration. Electrolytes are equally essential for the homeostasis of the body. To maintain the proper functioning of the body, adequate amounts of water and balanced amount of electrolytes are required.

If you are in search of a natural way to enhance the hydration of the body, we suggest using Pure Encapsulations Electrolyte/ Energy Formula.

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