Australians are tough. We’re used to drought, floods and fire, but this year is vastly different (the driest and hottest year on record).
So far this Summer we’ve seen over 15 million acres decimated by fire across the nation. That means the destruction of property, pets, stock, wildlife, homes, ancient trees and now over 20 people have lost their lives with thousands of homes destroyed and many sick people from the toxic smoke inhalation.
The thick heavy smoke from these bushfires has encapsulated most of the East Coast of Australia and has spread across to New Zealand, in fact the fires can be seen from space!
Our Capital city, Canberra, currently has the ‘worst air quality in the world’…this is a major health concern to me….and I feel that the health risks are not being talked about enough.
Short of hibernating for several months in your house or jumping on a plane and taking a trip overseas, if you’re feeling a little helpless and are thinking … what can you do? Then read on…
I thought I’d better get some advice out there to help those who are wondering what they can do to help themselves and their families now, because unfortunately, we are just at the beginning of the Summer fire season and it most likely will get worse!
Effects of Fire-Smoke on the Body
Fire smoke contains a range of toxic gasses such as:
- Nitrogen oxide (carcinogens): a mix of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are gases made from natural sources eg motor vehicle and other fuels burning. It is a highly corrosive gas that can cause lung disease (also very harmful to vegetation).
- Carbon monoxide: reduces the amount of oxygen in the red blood cells in vital organs such as the brain, nerves and heart tissue.
- Carbon dioxide: displaces oxygen and makes the blood acidic, increasing blood pressure and kidney bicarbonate (in order to neutralise acid). Causes headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, seizures and ultimately suffocation by displacement of the oxygen.
- SYMPTOMS
- Sore, weepy, itchy eyes
- Cough, difficulty breathing
- Tight chest
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Irritability
Who’s Most at Risk
People with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis
People with allergies
Children & the elderly
Heart Disease patients
Smokers
Pregnant women
Anyone really!
7 Strategies to Fireproof your Body
1. Stay indoors away from smoke and limit time outdoors
2. Use a Negative Ioniser Air Purifier for the home: An air ionizer purifies the air in a room by electrically charging air molecules that are positive into negative ions (healthy air). Many air purifiers use fans or filters to remove contaminants from the air but air ionizers use ions to remove particulates, microbes, and SMOKE from the air. Air i ionizers make the air in a room healthier for people to breathe, especially for people suffering from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory-related ailments.
3. Use a P2/N95 mask: it is a particulate filter personal respiratory protection device, capable of filtering 0.3µm particles and needs to be fitted properly across the top of the nose and mouth, otherwise it’s useless
4. Use Eucalyptus oil in an oil burner or a few drops on a mask: it acts as a decongestant, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and strengthens the immune system. It can also soothe the nose, throat and chest and speed up healing.
5. Lavender essential oil acts as an anti-oxidant and helps with stress
6. Take good quality Vitamins that act as anti-oxidants: Eg
* Vitamin C – 4-10g daily – I would use “Metagenics C-Ultrascorb II Powder”
* Metagenics “Oxidant Protection” tablets containing Grape, Polygonum, Resveratrol, Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Selenium
* Metagenics “Oxygenics” tablets – containing milk thistle, grape seed, green tea, carotenoids
7. Diet: Increase foods high in antioxidants eg garlic, leeks, onions, grapes, eggplant, berries, pumpkin, mangoes, green tea, spinach, kale, parsley, carrots, spirulina, oranges, aloe vera juice and apricots.
These are just a few strategies Australians who are impacted or exposed to the fires can implement immediately.
These strategies will help you get through this harsh time, where we need to be at our strongest and fittest. If anyone needs any further help, or wishes to obtain the above target vitamins, please don’t hesitate to contact me.