A breath of fresh air: protecting against air pollution with nutritional solutions

Summary

• 80% of the world’s population live in regions that at risk of air pollution 
• Air pollution can lead to a range of health issues, including increased risk of blood clots and heart attacks 
• Optimizing the intake of certain micronutrients, antioxidants and omega-3 EPA and DHA may help mitigate these effects 

Earth Day 2017 

Brings a range of issues into consideration, from endangered animals and food waste to the quality of the very air we breathe. Air pollution can cause a wide range of cardiovascular health issues, from hardened arteries and irregular heartbeats to increased risk of heart attack and blood clots. Research has shown that an increased intake of micronutrients, including EPA and DHA and vitamin C, can help to counteract the negative impact of air pollution.  ‘Air pollution’ may bring to mind images of dark, billowing smoke from factories in industrial cities, but a tremendous 80% of the world’s population live in regions that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines.  

What is air pollution?

In 2012, WHO reported that approximately seven million people die annually as a result of air pollution, equating to one in eight global deaths.2 Air pollution is made up of a mixture of gases and particles, including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter (PM), lead and sulfur dioxide. Inhaling polluted air, especially air containing fine PM of 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller, can have a detrimental impact on the quality and length of human life. PM2.5 can lead to a wide range of health issues for the brain, heart, lungs, blood and vasculature. This includes increased risk of blood clots and non-fatal heart attacks, as well as narrowing blood flow to the brain and constricting blood vessels to create hypertension. 

Vitamins: air pollution protectants?

Vitamin C – acts together with vitamin E as an antioxidant system Vitamin E – helps protect against free radical damage Omega-3 EPA and DHA – contributes to the normal function of the heart Nutritional supplementation is a simple and inexpensive method of minimizing some of the harm PM2.5 exposure can cause on different aspects of health.3