Best Defense for Airborne Toxin Exposure
I hope everyone has done whatever they can to stay safe during the Thomas fire. I see N95 particulate masks everywhere I go, so it appears most of us are taking the necessary precautions. For current conditions and other resources, see the links below.
Direct Relief N95 Mask Distribution
Although the fire is still burning towards Santa Barbara, the rate of spread has slowed down significantly. While this is good news, the fact remains that over 900 structures have burned, making the smoke and debris from the Thomas fire far more hazardous than any of the fires of the last decade in Santa Barbara. The N95 masks are excellent for particulate matter but have no effect on toxic chemicals (heavy metals, asbestos, etc.) released from structure fires. Aside from getting out of dodge, or quarantining yourself in a room constructed of HEPA filters, there aren’t any ways to avoid these pollutants.
Your best defense is to start protecting yourself now and continue until well after the air is clear of particulate. Many of us have already been exposed to these toxins, so taking critical steps now will help diminish their effects on the body and eliminate them quicker.
If you have had any serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, vision problems or severe allergic reactions, seek emergency medical care immediately. Symptoms I have seen include itchy eyes, excess phlegm, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, brain fog, and headaches. These are all signs of chemical or smoke exposure, so follow these steps and protect yourself!
1) Ramp up on anti-oxidants!
Ultimate Anti-Ox Full Spectrum is my go-to anti-oxidant product as it is the most comprehensive formula I have found. Take 3 capsules, 3x/day with food for the first bottle, then 2 capsules, 3x/day for the second bottle, followed by 3 capsules once per day. This will help to immediately mitigate the effects of any toxin exposure and protect yourself in the coming weeks of clean up and debris removal.
2) Boost your Vitamin D3 intake
The effects of stress and pollution wreak havoc on our immune systems. Increasing your intake of Vitamin D3 to 10,000 IU/day for the next couple weeks will help increase your immune resistance. If you are someone who frequently gets the cold/flu, then go one step further and begin our immune protocol ASAP.
3) Flush out those sinuses
One great aspect of the respiratory system is the ability to filter and remove various antigens and toxins from the air before they get to the lungs. Mucous is a big player in this, binding these potentially hazardous compounds to be acted on by white blood cells before they are eliminated. Using a saline rinse with a Neti-Pot or NeilMed flush (my favorite) is a great way to facilitate this removal in times of excess toxin exposure. If you suffer from allergies or are experiencing any sinus related complaints, this is a must.
4) Get adequate rest
I know this may be difficult for those directly affected by the fire, but sleep is necessary to restore detoxification/elimination systems, immune resistance, brain health and the adrenals. Not getting enough sleep puts you further at risk of being impacted negatively by airborne toxin exposure.
You can pick up any of the supplements recommended above by stopping by or calling the office. Please continue to wear your N95 masks (correctly) to reduce exposure to particulate matter and be sure to monitor current air quality levels. When it comes to clean up, follow these instructions to safely remove ash and other debris. If you have any health-related questions, shoot me an email and I’ll do my best to answer as soon as I can.