The health of our lungs is vital to the health of every organ in the body, as every cell in the body needs oxygen in order to live.
The air that we breathe contains oxygen, and once in the lungs, oxygen is moved into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.
At each cell in the body, oxygen is exchanged for the waste gas carbon dioxide.
The bloodstream then carries this waste gas back to the lungs where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled.
Your lungs and respiratory system automatically perform this vital process, called gas exchange, and without this process we could not survive.
However, the lungs do more than just this important role of gas exchange. The respiratory system performs other roles important to breathing, such as:
- Bringing air to the proper body temperature and moisturizing it to the right humidity level.
- Protecting the body from harmful substances. This is done by coughing, sneezing, filtering or swallowing them.
- Supporting your sense of smell
When our lungs aren’t healthy or functioning properly, it impairs their ability to perform these critical functions, and as a result, our health suffers.
Poor lung health is increasingly common in our modern world where air pollution is on the rise, and protecting and regenerating your lungs is more important now than ever.
Some of the major causes of poor lung health include:
- Industrial air pollution
- Indoor air pollution
- Cigarette smoke
- Shallow breathing
- Lung diseases
Toxins in The Air We Breathe
Though we may not realize it, most of us are constantly inhaling toxins from the air around us.
These toxins are microscopic, and so they naturally go unnoticed, but they still affect our health in negative ways.
There are many forms of toxins, both indoor and outdoor, that affect our health.
Breathing in exhaust fumes from cars, buses, and other vehicles; inhaling the toxic fumes released from power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories, breathing in natural sources of pollution like wind-blown dust and wildfire smoke, and even inhaling toxins in our own home from cooking, pet dander, mold spores, and fumes from beauty and cleaning products—all of these can be inhaled regularly, and over time, can be damaging to our lungs, especially when we are exposed to high amounts of toxins for long periods of time.
How to Protect Your Lungs
Thankfully, there are ways that we can protect our lungs, and can even improve our lung health.
With the proper medical vision of the lungs, you can figure the best approach in making sure your lungs stay healthy. Some of the ways we can do this include:
1. Spend time in natural environments
Living in a city, and spending the majority of time indoors or in highly populated areas, one will naturally be more exposed to toxins from polluted air.
While there are ways to protect and improve lung health in these environments, nothing beats the healing power of fresh air.
Make it a priority to spend time in natural environments whenever possible.
Go for a walk, go to the park, go for a hike, get out into the forest or go to the beach.
Give your lungs a break and allow your lungs to take in fresh, unpolluted air.
2. Invest in a high-quality air filter
An indoor air filter can do wonders for your respiratory health.
Usually, most people who get air filters cannot imagine going back to living without one, especially once they see how much junk their air filter collects.
Some air filters can even notify you of how polluted the air in your living space is and can adjust their strength accordingly.
An indoor air filter is a great way to free your home of polluted air, and to improve your lung health by doing so.
3. Buy indoor house plants
Plants and humans have a wonderful symbiotic relationship.
We inhale oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide, and plants take in carbon dioxide, and put off oxygen.
Having some indoor plants in your home is a simple way to purify the air and bring some more nature into your daily life.
Naturally, the more you get, the fresher your space will be.
4. Practice deep breathing
A simple and easily overlooked way to improve lung health is to practice deep breathing.
Without realizing it, most people breathe very shallow breaths and limit the amount of oxygen they take in with each inhalation.
Do your body a favor and take some deep breaths in—ideally in an unpolluted environment.
5. Use an herbal lung health supplement
There are many herbs that naturally work on detoxing, healing and restoring the lungs.
These herbs can be taken individually, or one can even find herbal formulations that have been masterfully crafted for the intended purpose of removing toxins from the airways and regenerating lung tissues.
Zuma Nutrition’s Lung Detox Tonic is one great example of a high-quality lung health supplement.
Taking an herbal supplement like this can work wonders on your lung health, especially if you live in the city and need some extra protection.
Summary
The lungs are vital to every process in the body, as every cell in the body relies on oxygen to function.
When our lung health is impaired, the rest of our body suffers.
Because of this, it is important that we take good care of our lungs, and do what we can to keep our lungs happy and healthy.
Avoiding common sources of pollution, investing in things like air filters and house plants to improve indoor air quality, practicing deep breathing, getting regular fresh air, and taking a lung health supplement are all great ways to protect your lungs and to improve your lung health naturally.