Staying Healthy in Hazardous Air Quality

It’s fire season and poor air quality is here. Below are resources to help you stay healthy amidst the smoke and ash, which contain small particles of various toxins:

• Before exercising outside or spending significant amounts of time outside, check the current air quality using AirCare app or IQair.com/us/. Avoid doing the above if the air quality index is 50 or above.

• Close your windows, door, and chimney flue.

• Use air filters if you have them, including circulating air through an HVAC system. Also, an easy trick is taping a furnace filter to the back of a box fan. Change filters frequently.

• Reduce dust and smoke particles inside by frequently dusting and vacuuming.

• Lower inflammation and increase antioxidants to support your body, and lungs especially, in dealing with the effects of smoke. This support can be through food and/or supplements:

• Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale)
  • Brightly colored vegetables and fruits
  • Green tea
  • Turmeric
  • Omega-3’s/Fish oil
  • N-acetyl cysteine
  • Talk to your health care provider for dosages appropriate for you.

Special thanks to the Ren Clinic in Portland, OR for several of the above ideas.

This is general information and not medical advice. Give the office a call at #530-848-6364 for specific recommendations for you.