16 Ways to Breathe Easier
The colder weather can aggravate asthma and other respiratory
conditions. To make matters worse people spend more time indoors in
their homes and office, which tend to have poor air quality. To help
you breathe a bit easier this season here are 16 ways to improve your
breathing:
Eliminate air fresheners—The Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) conducted a study of “air fresheners,” “air sanitizers,” and other related products. They found toxic ingredients like acetone, butane (yes, that’s lighter fluid), liquefied petroleum gas, propane, and formaldehyde (among many others), all of which are linked to respiratory problems. Open a window and let in some fresh air rather than resort to toxic chemical sprays or plug-in products.
Don‘t forget the car air fresheners—They contain many of the same ingredients and are equally damaging to household air fresheners.
Skip the perfume—Perfumes can contain up to 400 different ingredients, 95% of which are chemicals used in the single ingredient “fragrance” and are derived from petroleum products. Many of these ingredients cause coughing and aggravate respiratory conditions in addition to headaches, depression, and other symptoms. Switch to a natural essential oil-based product if you just can’t live without perfumes. Many health food stores offer natural options.
Switch garbage bags to more natural options—Glad garbage bags and others now include Febreze to mask the smell. Unfortunately, recent studies show that Febreze contains acetaldehyde, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, benzaldehyde, BHT, and other respiratory toxins and known carcinogens. For the full EWG report on Febreze, click here.
Pass on the scented candles and potpourri—These products seem to be everywhere this time of year and unfortunately they contain many of the same lung irritants as perfumes. If you want a fresh-smelling home add orange rinds and cinnamon sticks to a pot of water and boil it on your stove for 10 to 15 minutes. The fresh holiday scent will freshen the air naturally.
Switch laundry detergents and fabric softeners—Commonly-used laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain many toxic ingredients that can aggravate the lungs, some of which include: alpha-terpineol, linalool, and pentane. These chemicals can affect muscle control and coordination. There are many natural alternatives available in most health food stores.
Eliminate gluten from your diet—Many asthma sufferers are sensitive to gluten which is found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, and many other grains and products containing them. Many baking powders, soy sauces, artificial food colors, emulsifiers, and other ingredients found in convenience food also contain gluten. Some great gluten-free options include: quinoa, millet, buckwheat (yes, the name can be confusing but there is no gluten in buckwheat), coconut flour, brown rice, black rice, red rice, and wild rice.
Reduce your sugar consumption—In my experience most asthma sufferers are sensitive to sugars of all kinds, natural or otherwise. It is best to cut back on all sweeteners and artificial sweeteners. If you have a sweet tooth opt for a piece of fruit or sweeten your beverages or foods with natural stevia (avoid products with maltodextrin or other added sweeteners).
Cut out dairy products—Dairy products like cheeses, butter, ice cream, milk, and cream are mucus-forming and can aggravate inflammation and respiratory conditions. Opt for dairy-free beverages like almond or coconut milk. There are many excellent dairy-free cheeses on the market. Avoid ones with casein which is a dairy product derivative.
Supplement with sea buckthorn—Sea buckthorn is a traditional Asian remedy for asthma and breathing disorders. It naturally contains Omega 7 fatty acids that have been shown to improve breathing. For more information about sea buckthorn, check out “Sea Buckthorn: Ancient Healer and Modern Superfood.”
Discover the herbal teas and natural remedies that assist with asthma…
Eliminate air fresheners—The Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) conducted a study of “air fresheners,” “air sanitizers,” and other related products. They found toxic ingredients like acetone, butane (yes, that’s lighter fluid), liquefied petroleum gas, propane, and formaldehyde (among many others), all of which are linked to respiratory problems. Open a window and let in some fresh air rather than resort to toxic chemical sprays or plug-in products.
Don‘t forget the car air fresheners—They contain many of the same ingredients and are equally damaging to household air fresheners.
Skip the perfume—Perfumes can contain up to 400 different ingredients, 95% of which are chemicals used in the single ingredient “fragrance” and are derived from petroleum products. Many of these ingredients cause coughing and aggravate respiratory conditions in addition to headaches, depression, and other symptoms. Switch to a natural essential oil-based product if you just can’t live without perfumes. Many health food stores offer natural options.
Switch garbage bags to more natural options—Glad garbage bags and others now include Febreze to mask the smell. Unfortunately, recent studies show that Febreze contains acetaldehyde, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, benzaldehyde, BHT, and other respiratory toxins and known carcinogens. For the full EWG report on Febreze, click here.
Pass on the scented candles and potpourri—These products seem to be everywhere this time of year and unfortunately they contain many of the same lung irritants as perfumes. If you want a fresh-smelling home add orange rinds and cinnamon sticks to a pot of water and boil it on your stove for 10 to 15 minutes. The fresh holiday scent will freshen the air naturally.
Switch laundry detergents and fabric softeners—Commonly-used laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain many toxic ingredients that can aggravate the lungs, some of which include: alpha-terpineol, linalool, and pentane. These chemicals can affect muscle control and coordination. There are many natural alternatives available in most health food stores.
Eliminate gluten from your diet—Many asthma sufferers are sensitive to gluten which is found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, and many other grains and products containing them. Many baking powders, soy sauces, artificial food colors, emulsifiers, and other ingredients found in convenience food also contain gluten. Some great gluten-free options include: quinoa, millet, buckwheat (yes, the name can be confusing but there is no gluten in buckwheat), coconut flour, brown rice, black rice, red rice, and wild rice.
Reduce your sugar consumption—In my experience most asthma sufferers are sensitive to sugars of all kinds, natural or otherwise. It is best to cut back on all sweeteners and artificial sweeteners. If you have a sweet tooth opt for a piece of fruit or sweeten your beverages or foods with natural stevia (avoid products with maltodextrin or other added sweeteners).
Cut out dairy products—Dairy products like cheeses, butter, ice cream, milk, and cream are mucus-forming and can aggravate inflammation and respiratory conditions. Opt for dairy-free beverages like almond or coconut milk. There are many excellent dairy-free cheeses on the market. Avoid ones with casein which is a dairy product derivative.
Supplement with sea buckthorn—Sea buckthorn is a traditional Asian remedy for asthma and breathing disorders. It naturally contains Omega 7 fatty acids that have been shown to improve breathing. For more information about sea buckthorn, check out “Sea Buckthorn: Ancient Healer and Modern Superfood.”
Discover the herbal teas and natural remedies that assist with asthma…
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-ways-to-breathe-easier.
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