Nutrition
These Foods Can Help Protect You From Poor Air Quality
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels
Nutrition
These Foods Can Help Protect You From Poor Air Quality
Between air pollution and wildfire smoke, our bodies could use a little detox.
There have been a ton of heat and smog warnings this summer, plus wildfires are running rampant throughout northern Ontario and the west of Canada. The result is terrible air quality that we can't really avoid.
However there are a few key vitamins and nutrients you can include in your diet to help combat the negative effects smoke and pollution have on our bodies.
What To Eat To Help With Poor Air Quality
Vitamin A
Photography by Ronald Tsang
If you want to help regenerate cells in your body, specifically related to the repair process of the lung cells, you're going to want to eat some vitamin A. It also boosts immunity.
Foods high in vitamin A:
- Fish
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Sweet potatoes
- Cantaloupe
Recipe ideas:
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Vitamin C
Photography by Tango
Although too much of something is never a good thing, we want to be loading up on vitamin C right now. It acts as an antioxidant in our bodies and can reduce oxidative stress and help protect against respiratory infections.
Foods high in vitamin C:
- Citrus
- Berries
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Bell peppers
Recipe ideas:
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Vitamin D
Photography by Tango
The sunshine vitamin is an all-around superstar when it comes to improving your health and wellness. Low levels can increase your risk of bronchitis, asthma, and other common respiratory issues. Studies show that taking vitamin D helps to combat inflammation by increasing the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, one of our bodies responses to injury.
Foods high in vitamin D:
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Fatty fish
- Yogurt
- Milk
Recipe ideas:
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Supplements for lung health
Not every meal can be high in the vitamins you need to stave off the physical effects of poor air quality. Here are some of our favourite supplements to get everything you need, no matter what your diet looks like.
LivOn Labs Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C 1,000mg, Amazon, $64
Pure Encapsulations Adenosyl/Hydroxy B12 Liquid, Amazon, $37
THORNE Vitamin D/K2 Liquid, Amazon, $40
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