Micronutrients in mitigating the adverse health effects of air pollution – part 2
W. Sumera, M.Sc.
Journal of Cellular Medicine and Natural Health, July 2018
Abstract:
Air pollution is a major environmental risk to human health and well-being. According to WHO reports in 2012, ambient (outdoor) and indoor air pollution was linked to 7 million premature deaths worldwide. Most were attributed to cardiovascular diseases (stroke and ischemic heart disease), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute lower respiratory infections in children. Yet, 92% of the world population lives in places that exceed the WHO air quality guidelines. On the other hand, laboratory and clinical studies indicate that a nutritious diet and/or intake of micronutrients with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties, may ameliorate many harmful health effects caused by polluted air.