Eat Healthy to Build Resistance Against ...Air Pollution

19 Aug 2022

With the intensifying pollution levels, it is important to strengthen ourselves from within. Not just the National Capital, neighbouring areas are also affected and are witnessing a thick layer of haze in the air, which is not only dangerous for the people who go out for work, exercise or do daily outdoor chores but also for the ones who stay indoors. Here's what we should be eating to combat the ill effects of pollution.

Highpoints:

1. The air we breathe today has reached dangerous levels of pollution

2. It introduces harmful pollutants directly into our lungs

3. A little tweaking in our diet can reverse the damage of the air pollution.

People with no known respiratory complications are landing up in hospital or emergency rooms. We would like to introduce some natural antioxidant nutrients that can help our body deal with the current situation. The polluted air that we inhale injects ozone, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, diesel exhaust particles, etc. into our lungs. The protective antioxidants present in the lining of our lungs fight it out till they are outnumbered, thereafter, the pollutants start attacking the immune and body cells producing free radicals and causing inflammation. But perhaps we don’t know that antioxidants from the food we eat can provide protection to our body from the harmful effects caused by air pollutants too. Loading up on these powerful nutrients to combat the effects of air pollution:

•Vitamin C: It is the single most potent antioxidant for our body. This water-soluble vitamin is present throughout our body and it scavenges free radicals. Vitamin C also contributes to Vitamin E regeneration. Adequate amount of Vitamin C in our daily diets is therefore crucial for maintaining its level in the lungs. Adults need 40mg of this Vitamin every day.

•Vitamin E: This fat-soluble vitamin is the first line of defence against injury to human tissues.

•Beta Carotene: This plays a very important role in controlling inflammation because of its antioxidant activity. It is also converted to Vitamin A in our body.

•Omega -3 Fats: These protect the body against the detrimental effects of air pollution on one's heart health and lipid profile.

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah—May all beings be well.

Ayurveda Solutions: Certain herbs and spices have been suggested in Ayurvedic medicine for curing common respiratory ailments.

•Turmeric is one of the ancient and a well-known antioxidant said to help protect the lungs from the toxic effects of pollutants. Mixing turmeric and ghee to relieve cough and aid during asthma. During an asthmatic attack, turmeric with jaggery and butter may be taken to relieve symptoms.

•Jaggery mixed with onion juice is said to have an expectorant effect, useful during both wet and dry cough.

•Haritaki along with jaggery, taken before bedtime and in the morning is good for relieving phlegm.

•Wheat and cow's milk are believed to be beneficial for asthma patients.

•Ginger, black pepper, basil (tulsi), liquorice, nutmeg, mint and galangal are also useful for curing respiratory ailments.

A healthy body is needed to overcome any adversity. In addition to food, 15-30 minutes of exercise and pranayama for the lungs, together with adequate rest will help us immensely. Prevention is always better than cure.

Food necessarily is an extremely important aspect to keep oneself fit and ready to fight air pollution. However, how much critical it may seem but having an unclean environment even with the best of food habits will not be enough for us from falling ill due to this menace of air pollution. So, prudency shows that preventing oneself would be far better, rather than fighting it. Since, it is not easy to control outdoor air quality, at least we can improve the air quality inside his/her house, office, institution, and similar indoor places with the help of an air purification system.

PetriMed CA Air Purification System – is the answer to combat the onslaught of this new kind of puzzling and bewildering air pollution.

• 8-step, 3-storey Air treatment system, not an ordinary air purifier.

• Ultra-fine filtration (up to 0.1 microns) and Medical Grade Plus HEPA filter (H14 ISO 50 U) ensures ultra-fine filtration up to 99.999% efficiency, ensures complete contamination free air.

• UVC disinfection: To kill fastidious microbes – viruses and bacteria.

• Air Ionization: Air nourishment along with purification for additional health benefits.