Clean air, cleaner bill of health
As fires rage in California, more information is coming out air pollution's risk for serious health problems. High levels of fine particles in smoke, burning coal, and from road traffic, called PM2.5 have been found to increase the risk for dementia. High daily levels are also associated with chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and lung cancer -- and they worsen chronic conditions like heart disease and asthma. In the short-term, those tiny particles can trigger eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, shortness of breath. asthma attacks and other respiratory symptoms.
And now, research shows that exposure to those particles ups the risk for autoimmune ulcerative colitis. Scientists, writing in Scientific Reports, suggest that the risk comes from pollution-triggered epigenetic changes (genes get turned on or off), immune system damage or chronic inflammation. The study also shows that exposure to larger particles called PM10 is associated with developing autoimmune psoriasis and that nitrogen oxide pollution from burning of fossil fuels ups the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's.
-- Your best protection: When indoors, use a free-standing HEPA air filter or consider installing a high-efficiency filter (MERV 13 rating or higher) if your ventilation system can handle it. Set central air conditioning and heating systems to "on," not to "auto," so air is constantly filtered.
-- Wear an N95 or KN95 mask when outdoors if air quality in your area is an issue.
For more info, read "Can Supplements Help Protect Against the Harmful Effects of Pollution?" at iHerb/com/blog.
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)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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