Do you know that feeling you get when you breathe fresh air in nature? It may not just be that there is no pollution.
When we think of nutrients, we think of what we get from our diet. However, a careful review of the scientific literature shows that there is strong evidence that humans can also absorb some nutrients from the air.
An article with a new perspective Published in Advances in Nutritionwe call these inhaled nutrients “air nutrients” to distinguish them from “gastric nutrients” which are absorbed by the intestines.
We suggest supplementing your diet with essential nutrients such as iodine, zinc, manganese, and some vitamins through breathing. This idea is strongly supported by published data. So why haven’t I heard about this before?
breathing is constant
we take a breath about 9,000 liters of air per day And 438 million liters in a lifetime. Unlike eating, breathing does not stop. Exposure to airborne components, even at very low concentrations, increases over time.
Until now, much of the research into the health effects of the atmosphere has focused on pollution. The focus is on filtering out what is bad rather than what is beneficial. Also, the amount of nutrients contained in each breath is so small that it didn’t seem to make any sense.
For thousands of years, different cultures have cherished nature. fresh air is good for health. Our air nutrient concepts show that these views are supported by science. For example, oxygen is Technically it’s a nutrient – chemicals “What the body needs to maintain basic functions.”
We don’t tend to call it that because we breathe it, not eat it.
So how do air nutrients work?
Air nutrients enter our bodies by being absorbed through a network of small blood vessels in the nose, lungs, olfactory epithelium (the area that detects smell), and oropharynx (the back of the throat).
Lungs can absorb over long distances molecules larger than the intestine – 260 times larger to be exact. These molecules are absorbed intact into the bloodstream and brain.
Inhalable drugs (such as cocaine, nicotine, and narcotics, to name a few) enter the body within seconds. It is effective at much lower concentrations than would be required if taken orally.
In comparison, the intestines use enzymes and acids to break down substances into their smallest parts. Once these enter the bloodstream, they are metabolized and detoxified by the liver.
The intestines are good at absorbing starches, sugars, and amino acids, but they are not so good at absorbing them. taking certain types of drugs. In fact, scientists are continually conducting research. improve medicine It can be taken orally effectively.
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The evidence has been around for decades.
Many scientific ideas that are obvious in retrospect were right in front of us all along. 1960s research found higher concentrations of iodine in the blood and urine of laundry workers exposed to airborne iodine.
More recently, researchers in Ireland surveyed school children living near coastal areas rich in seaweed. Iodine gas levels in the atmosphere were much higher. These children had significantly more iodine in their urine and were less likely to be iodine deficient than children living in coastal or rural areas with less seaweed. There was no difference in iodine in their diets.
This suggests that airborne iodine may be useful for dietary iodine replenishment, especially in areas where seaweed is abundant. As such, it becomes an air nutrient that our bodies may absorb through breathing.
manganese and zinc It can enter the brain via odor-sensing neurons in the nose. Manganese is an essential nutrient, but if consumed in excess, harm the brain. this is seen in welding machinepeople who have been exposed to high levels of manganese in the air and have accumulated harmful levels of manganese.
Cilia (hair-like structures) in the olfactory and respiratory systems include special receptors It may combine with various other potential air nutrients. These include nutrients such as Colinvitamin C, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, and even amino acids.
the study A paper published over 70 years ago showed that aerosolized vitamin B12 can treat vitamin B12 deficiency. This is very important for people like High B12 deficiency ratevegans, the elderly, diabetics, people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, etc.
Once you accept air nutrients, what happens next?
There are still many unknowns. First, we need to find out which components of the air are beneficial to health in natural environments such as green areas, forests, oceans, and mountains. Previous studies have mainly focused on allergens such as toxins, particulate matter, and pollen.
Next, you need to determine which of these components can be classified as air nutrients.
Vitamin B12 in aerosol form Already shown to be safe and effective Further research could investigate whether converting other micronutrients, such as vitamin D, into aerosols could help fight infections. widespread nutritional deficiencies.
We need to study these potential air nutrients in controlled experiments to determine dosage, safety, and dietary contribution. This is especially true in places where the air is highly filtered, such as airplanes, hospitals, submarines, and even space stations.
Perhaps you will discover that air nutrients can help prevent some of the modern diseases caused by urbanization. Someday, nutritional guidelines may recommend inhaled nutrients. Or you could consider eating a healthy, balanced diet as well as spending enough time breathing in nature and getting air nutrients.
