All sound advice, of course – but we probably wouldn’t think to warn someone about air pollution effects.

Incredibly, a growing body of research reveals that exposure to poor air quality has been correlated to a number of liver problems, including cirrhosis, or advanced scarring of liver tissue.

Exposure to air pollution may damage liver and reduce survival rates from liver cancer, research shows

Your liver is your body’s major detoxifying organ.  Researchers now believe the growing environmental concern of air pollution could be threatening long-term liver health for millions of people, especially city-dwellers.

As an example, a just-released study published in the latest volume of Atmospheric Environment found that short-term exposure to air pollution in Wuhan, China – yes, the same Wuhan of coronavirus notoriety – was associated with impaired liver function, as indicated by abnormal liver function tests.

Another 2017 paper published in Cancer Epidemiology found that exposure to particulate matter from polluted air was associated with lower survival rates among people with liver cancer—and the greater the exposure to polluted air, the greater the life-shortening effect.

Particular matter contains environmental toxins and by-products including road dust, diesel and gasoline exhaust, and even pollutants put off by tires and engine brakes. Other compounds you may be breathing into your system when in a polluted environment include nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide.

Hazardous airborne pollutants were also identified as a possible risk factor for liver cancer in a 2017 study from PLOS One involving people from Texas.  Additional studies have suggested that exposure to airborne pollutants (most common in urban areas) may increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, namely by accelerating a build-up of collagen fibers in the liver (fibrosis) or advanced scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).

What explains all the negative pollution effects on liver function?  Researchers hypothesize airborne pollutants trigger oxidative stress and inflammation in liver cells and liver tissue (let alone other cells, tissues, and organs in the body). The impact could have a cumulative and devastating effect for some people.

By the way:

Have you ever wondered what poor liver health might look or feel like?  While you can only know for sure by checking with a healthcare provider, the following warning signs and symptoms may indicate that your liver isn’t functioning at its best, according to Mayo Clinic:

• A yellowish tint to the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• Swelling and pain in the stomach or right side of the abdomen
• Swelling in the legs and feet
• Dark-colored urine
• Pale-colored feces
• Itchy skin
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Skin that is easy to bruise
• Decreased appetite

To protect your family’s health: Use these two strategies to improve your home’s indoor air quality

You may not be able to control the quality of air in your town or city.  But you can take steps to improve the air inside your home.

First, install a high-quality air purification system in your place of residence, and be sure to change out your filters regularly.  In addition, consider adding more plants to your space.

While it’s not conclusively shown in the research whether indoor plants actually improve indoor air quality, some controlled studies and anecdotal reports indicate that plants like Peace Lilly, Lady Palm, and Bamboo Palm help to purify the air.

Lastly, be sure to buy only non-toxic household and personal care products.  Bottom line: reducing your exposure to toxic substances will greatly improve the quality of your life.

Tips For Poor Air Quality

If you or someone you love has been exposed to smoke, soot, and poor air quality from the fires in California or elsewhere, there are some simple ways you can help protect your health that I want to share with you. Exposure to toxic air can be a trigger for other underlying health conditions, resulting in a worsening of symptoms or new symptoms appearing for the first time. Below I have included a list of different options and ways you can support your health and the health of your family and loved ones. My prayers and love are with you and everyone who is being affected by the fires or any challenging circumstance.

MASKS
A high quality mask can help protect your lungs from soot, debris, pollution, and toxins. The N100 mask is especially effective, but if not available then look for N99 or N95 masks.

AIR FILTERS

A good filter can clean the air, including from smoke, and lower its toxicity significantly.

IQ AIR:
The IQ Air has HyperHEPA filtration technology that effectively traps particles of all sizes. That includes viruses, pet dander, dust mites, other allergens and even cigarette smoke. IQ Air’s HyperHEPA filtration is tested and certified to filter 99.5% of all particles down to 0.003 microns. These are the smallest particles that exist. IQ Air is the best air purifier available.

PURE ZONE AIR FILTER:
This HEPA air filter helps to eliminate dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, mold spores, and household odors. Pure Zone Air Filter is a solid option at an affordable price.


SUPPLEMENTS

There are some great supplements that can help strengthen your health during exposure to toxic air, smoke, and soot and protect your lungs.

Mullein Leaf helps strengthen the oxygen sacs of the lungs.

Micro-C is an expectorant which helps to loosen and remove debris from the air passages.

Lomatium Root is highly effective at aiding respiratory ailments and also helps the body detoxify.

TEAS

Herbal teas can also be a great way to support your health during this time (and beyond.) The below teas help to open the bronchial tubes and passageways and reduce inflammation.

Peppermint tea

Turmeric tea

Ginger tea

Ginger water

HERBS & SPICES
Garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme are especially helpful for improving blood flow into the lungs allowing for detoxification of poisons. The fresh herbs are the most potent and effective to include but dried herbs can be used when fresh is unavailable. They can be added to salads, soups, dips, juices, smoothies, teas, and more. Here is a recipe for thyme tea and water that could be easily interchanged with rosemary and/or sage. 

HYDRATION
Staying very well hydrated is critical for protecting your health in situations like these. Drinking plenty of lemon or lime water, cucumber juice, coconut water, and other fresh fruit and vegetable juices will enable your body to detoxify whatever toxins you’re exposed to as best as possible. It will also keep your blood thinner to help your heart provide adequate blood and oxygen to your brain and other organs. It would also be helpful to keep your diet based on as much fresh produce as possible at this time, versus eating too much cooked, dehydrated, or processed food to minimize dehydration.

Make an Appointment with Healer Omar Botha to get your liver healthy again.