Protocol to Reduce The Effects of Smoke Exposure
Urban fires release a cocktail of chemicals into the air. The Air Quality Index only measures 5 pollutants (ground-level ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide). It does not measure asbestos, lead, nor arsenic, which are chemicals often released during building fires. So it’s important to protect your lungs and mitigate any toxins, even if the AQI is good.
Here’s a game plan to keep heavy metals and toxins from wreaking havoc:
The Bare Minimum (Like, Do This Right Now)
Avoid Breathing the Smoke
Keep your windows and doors closed, and use an air filter. If you don’t want to buy one, there are many videos (like this one) on how you can DIY one. Wear an N95 respirator mask or KN95 mask when outdoors. And, when driving, keep the air circulating in the car and replace your air filter if you’ve driven through smoke or polluted areas.
Stay Hydrated
Drink more water. No, more than that. Water is the best detox and most doctors and scientists are recommending over 2-3 liters daily.
Level 1: HIGH AQI Protocol
Basic Supplements
Vitamin C
This antioxidant is essential for recovery. Take 2000-4000mg daily, but space out your doses to every few hours.
Fiber
Increase your fiber to help bind and eliminate toxins. You can do this through diet, or supplement with psyllium or flaxseed (10-20g daily).
Clean Foods
Increase your intake of organic greens, berries, and turmeric which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Avoid conventional greens (especially kale, broccoli, cabbage, and all varieties of Brassica oleracea) which absorb heavy metals from the soil.
Level 2: Smoke Protocol
Nasal Hygiene
Regularly use a neti pot with a saline solution to clear away the gunk in your nasal passages before they are absorbed into your blood stream or travel into your lungs. Ideally do this morning and night (and more if you’ve spent time in poor air quality).
Essential Supplements
NAC supplements
N-Acetylcysteine breaks down mucus and helps your body produce glutathione, which is critical for detoxing. Take 600-1200mg
Anti-Inflammatory Supplements
To reduce inflammation to your lungs and sinuses, add Omega-3s (1000-2000mg) and Quercetin: (250—500 mg, twice daily).
Detoxing
Chlorella & Spirulina
Nature’s HAZMAT team, take 1-3g daily to bind heavy metals and escort them right out of your body. Both are rich in chlorophyll (that’s what makes them so intensely green) which helps detoxify your blood and boost your cellular repair process.
Sweat it out
Sit in a sauna (preferably far infrared) or exercise indoors until you break a sweat to flush out toxins.
Level 3: Taking it Next Level
Advanced Supplements
Liposomal glutathione (300mg/day) is expensive but effective to neutralize toxins and help your body repair damage. Selenium is more accessible (100—200mg/day). Resveratrol and CoQ10 are antioxidant molecules that may help with cell health.
Herbs
Brew up & drink on these lung-healing herbal teas. Or take the following herbs as pills or tinctures: Mullein Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Tulsi and/or Nettle.
Level 4: FOr Extreme Exposure
Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy is used to treat metal poisoning. EDTA is injected which binds to metals and minerals in the bloodstream and it eliminated through peeing. Find a doctor to administer this IV procedure if you’ve been exposed to high levels of smoke and contaminated water.
Commonsense Advisory:
- Always consult healthcare providers before starting any regimen
- Some respiratory conditions require immediate medical attention
