In an article on the peer revised scientific website, MDPI, the authors discussed how over 12 percent of childhood asthma in the United States is caused by gas cooking stoves. In the older models, a pilot light was on all the time, sometimes for all four burners and the oven. Many stoves don’t have active hoods and in some instances like in apartment buildings, it would not be possible for all kitchens to have an exhaust hood.

This is not the only source of indoor air pollution. The EPA(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) includes “Biological contaminants include bacteria, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust, mites, cockroaches, and pollen”. Other sources include “building materials, furnishings and products like air fresheners, …related to activities like smoking, cleaning, redecorating or doing hobbies release pollutants intermittently”. These pollutants can have long term effects including “some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer”...”and can be severely debilitating or fatal”.

The American Lung Association goes even further:

“Pregnancy—Adverse impacts from air pollution have been shown both for those who are pregnant as well as for the developing fetus…serious health effects at every stage of life, from conception through old age.

Among pregnant people, fetuses and children, long-term particle pollution exposure is linked to:

Increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight;...

Increased fetal and infant mortality…

Reduced lung development and impaired lung function in children…

Higher likelihood of children developing asthma…

Higher likelihood of developing diabetes…

Impaired cognitive functioning and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease…Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias later in life.”

If you follow my articles on Health, I always try to provide steps, that anyone can take, to provide protection from adverse conditions. There is little we can do as individuals to combat air pollution outdoors and little even indoors. Maybe better ventilation and non-smoking would be the main contributors to better air quality. We can combat these health dangers through our diet.

I don’t know how many readers have access to Natural Grocers, but I shop there for organic and pasture-raised foods. They have a health site and in the article “Air Pollution Is a Killer”, the author comments on many foods that enhance our ability to fight air pollution. The author states that:

“Previous research has also found that the Omega-3s reduce oxidative damage caused by fine particulate matter in part by significantly increasing the activity of the body’s internal antioxidant system… EPA and DHA, (Omega 3)the B vitamins, and the antioxidant vitamins C and E are wonderful foundational nutrients that support whole-body health in addition to protecting your body from air pollution..”

The author concludes:

“The best way we can protect ourselves is to arm our bodies with plenty of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support. A nutrient-dense diet full of antioxidant-rich vegetables and anti-inflammatory fats goes a long way in supporting general health, including protecting against environmental assaults like air pollution.”

As with many of my articles on health, it all comes down to what you eat. Let us begin with Omega 3 foods. For years, we have been told to eat ocean fish.Times change. Today when we eat Tuna and Salmon, we must be concerned about the level of mercury. Fish that take years to grow in the ocean accumulate mercy and other toxic metals that were not present in the past. If they are farm raised, such as some Salmon, not only do the toxic metals increase, but the Omega 6 increases and Omega 3 decreases. I have limited my ocean fish mostly to Herrin which is harvested as young, small fish and rates number two in Omega 3 levels.

There are other options. Pasture-raised beef has Omega 3 levels almost equal to Salmon. Pasture-raised chickens, their eggs and pasture-raised milk all have increased levels of Omega 3. Walnuts are another source.

With vegetables and fruits, aging I quote the Natural Grocers author:

“The best way we can protect ourselves is to arm our bodies with plenty of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support. A nutrient-dense diet full of antioxidant-rich vegetables and anti-inflammatory fats goes a long way in supporting general health, including protecting against environmental assaults like air pollution…While broccoli sprouts are one of the most concentrated sources of this compound, other cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage also contain sulforaphane. Be sure to include plenty of cruciferous vegetables in your daily diet and consider supplementing with broccoli sprouts, which will ensure that you get optimal amounts of sulforaphane..”

In fruits:

“Human lung and bronchial cell studies have found that the polyphenol antioxidant resveratrol, commonly found in grape skins, reduces oxidative damage and inflammation caused by air pollutants, including diesel exhaust particles and nickel.”

You can go to the Natural Grocers website and find a much more detailed explanation of how important it is to eat properly. The author leave out two important details. How the food is grown and how it is processed before we buy it.

Studies will show that food grown organically and/or pasture-raised have a substantially greater amount of nutrients. Vegetables and fruits that are raised using regenerative farming practices will have increased nutrients. Food that we buy processed will have degraded nutrients, added sugars and other ingredients, and will lose some properties in the manufacturing process. There are many vitamins that can be purchased to fill your nutrient needs, but if you eat the proper foods, you should get these vitamins naturally.