Table of contents:
- Air pollution causes the body's immune system to weaken
- Air pollution also has a toxic effect
- How to deal with the dangers of air pollution
Surely we have seen the view of the city of Jakarta during the day from the top of a tall building. The visibility of the buildings from one another seemed to be covered in fog. Yes, air pollution afflicts Jakarta and is still a topic of conversation among the public. In fact, Jakarta has also been ranked first several times as the most polluted city in the world based on data Air Visual. Not only is it a hot topic, air pollution is also a threat to reduce human immunity.
Air pollution causes the body's immune system to weaken
Air pollution is closely related to our health problems, including decreased endurance. The decrease in the limbs of the body will certainly make you more susceptible to various diseases which often can interfere with your daily activities.
Particulate matter (PM), or solid or liquid particles present in the air, have an effect on immune cells. Its invisible size makes it difficult for us to finally avoid it.
The bad impact, PM can enter the respiratory system and blood vessels. This may continue as a result of decreased endurance.
PM from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can easily be found in various environments. Substances that are classified as having toxic properties are found in exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke.
These polycyclic aromatics are known to be closely related to decreased endurance. PM also increases the work of certain viral infections. When individuals are exposed to air pollution, it is not surprising that their immune system is reduced and they are prone to disease.
Air pollution also has a toxic effect
The effect of poison or other toxic pollution on the body's resistance is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs due to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress is also caused by the work of antioxidants that are disrupted when the body defends itself to prevent infection and disease.
Globally, more than 90% of the world's population is in areas exposed to unhealthy air. According to data from the World Health Organization, WHO, air pollution levels in Asia tend to be high. About 2.2 million of the 7 million people in Asia Pacific experience premature death each year due to the impact of indoor and outdoor air pollution. WHO estimates that 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe air that is high in pollutants.
Microscopic pollutants present in the air can enter our body's defenses, starting from the respiratory and circulatory systems with the risk of damaging the lungs, heart and brain.
How to deal with the dangers of air pollution
So that the dangers of air pollution don't interfere with health, you certainly need to increase your endurance. It's easy. You can fight it through your daily intake.
In order to better respond to bacteria or viruses that cause air pollution, the body's immune system requires nutritional intake. Nutrients such as vitamins and minerals have a complex function in fighting germs and preventing infection.
Not only from food, such as vegetables and fruit, you may need to take supplements containing vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D. These three ingredients contribute to fighting all diseases caused by air pollution and support your immune system.
Vitamin C can protect the body from free radicals that damage body cells. This component helps the role of the body's physical resistance to fight infection.
Not only that, vitamin C and zinc also help antioxidants in protecting the body's immune system to ward off the bad effects of air pollution on the respiratory system.
A study also found that people who live in areas exposed to pollution tend to experience vitamin D deficiency and experience decreased endurance. That is why, vitamin D supplements are also needed by the body to counteract the negative effects of air pollution.
