Wildfires have become a growing threat worldwide, with the number of wildfires in the U.S. alone increasing from 50,477 in 2019 to 68,988 in 2022. The area burned by these fires has also increased significantly, with over 7.5 million acres burned in 2022 compared to 4.6 million acres in 2019.(1)
As you can imagine, these fires significantly impact air quality. Understanding how to protect yourself from forest fire smoke is more important than ever. We’re here to guide you so you know how to safeguard your health when the air turns smoky.
What Pollutants Are In Forest Fire Smoke?
Forest fire smoke contains a complex mixture of harmful pollutants that can impact your health. When vegetation burns, it releases various gasses and fine particles into the air, posing serious health risks.(2)
The most concerning pollutants in wildfire smoke include:
-
Particulate Matter
These fine particles can penetrate the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems.(3) -
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
This colorless, odorless gas can interfere with your body's ability to transport oxygen, leading to symptoms like dizziness and headaches. -
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
These organic chemicals, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, can pose serious health problems.(4) -
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
These gases can contribute to respiratory issues and smog formation. -
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
These chemical compounds can settle on soil and water and may cause health problems.
These pollutants also create harmful substances called free radicals in your body. Free radicals are very reactive chemicals with unpaired electrons, making them unstable and eager to react with other molecules.(5) Free radicals enter your lungs when you breathe in the smoke.(6) They can damage your cells and lead to health problems like respiratory illness. Your body tries to protect you from free radicals using nutrients with antioxidant properties, which help neutralize these damaging particles. However, too many free radicals can overwhelm your body's defenses and cause oxidative stress, which has been linked to various diseases.(7)
What Are The Potential Health Risks From Forest Fire Smoke?
Exposure to smoke from forest fires can lead to several serious health risks. Understanding these risks is essential for protecting yourself during fire season.
When wildfire smoke is in the air, you might notice changes in how you feel or what you see around you. Here are some signs that you could be affected by wildfire smoke:
- Coughing or difficulty breathing
- Watery or irritated eyes
- A scratchy throat
- Headaches or fatigue
- Reduced visibility due to haze
- Allergic reactions, like sneezing
Breathing in wildfire smoke over a long time can cause serious health problems. A specific particulate matter called PM2.5 can get deep into your lungs and cause inflammation and damage. This can lead to long-term respiratory problems. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable because their lungs are either still developing or more fragile. Overall, extensive exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing health conditions and increase the chances of developing new ones.(8)
How Can You Stay Healthy In Wildfire Smoke?
Staying healthy during wildfire smoke events is essential to protect your respiratory and overall health.
9 Practical Ways to Stay Healthy When The Air Gets Smoky
- Stay Indoors. Keep windows and doors closed to keep smoke out.
- Use Air Purifiers. Use HEPA air purifiers to filter particulate matter and improve indoor air quality.
- Wear Masks. If you need to go outside, consider wearing an N95 respirator mask to reduce inhalation of smoke particles.
- Monitor Air Quality. Watch local air quality reports to know when it's safest to be outside.
- Stay Hydrated. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes to help your body cope with smoke exposure.†
- Avoid Strenuous Activity. Reduce physical exertion during smoke events.
- Seek Advice. Consult your healthcare provider for specific recommendations.
- Know Your Triggers. Be aware of what aggravates any breathing conditions you or someone in your family may have and what makes them worse.
- Include Supplements In Your Daily Diet. Taking supplements can ensure you're getting the health support you need that you can't always get from food alone.†
How Can You Detox Your Body From Wildfire Smoke?
Supporting your body’s detoxification processes when exposed to wildfire smoke is essential for staying healthy. You need to make sure you’re doing the following:
- Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and keeps your body hydrated.
- Eating a balanced diet of essential nutrients supports healthy immune system functioning and your organs.
- Getting enough rest to support your body’s natural repair processes.
- Engaging in light exercise, like walking, to support your health—once the smoke has cleared!
- Supporting a healthy stress response through techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
Additionally, consider antioxidant support. Foods and supplements with antioxidant properties contain compounds that help support your health by helping neutralize free radicals and promoting a healthy response to pollutants in the air, such as wildfire smoke†.
There are several foods that are great sources of antioxidant properties:
| Food Source | Antioxidant Properties |
|---|---|
| Blueberries | Vitamins and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid pigment found in various fruits and vegetables. |
| Dark Chocolate | Flavonoids. They are a diverse group of phytonutrients found in many fruits, vegetables, and beverages. |
| Kale | Vitamin C and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a pigment found in orange, yellow, and green fruits and vegetables. It is a precursor to vitamin A. |
| Spinach | Vitamins and lutein. Lutein is a nutrient found in green leafy vegetables and some fruits that helps support good vision. |
| Nuts (especially walnuts and pecans) | Vitamin E. It helps support good vision and immune system health. |
| Red Kidney Beans | Polyphenols. They are plant compounds with antioxidant properties. |
| Artichokes | Quercetin and rutin. These are flavonoids that support cardiovascular health. |
| Green Tea | Catechins, They are flavonoids found in green tea that support cardiovascular health. |
Supplementing To Support Detoxification - Glutathione
Glutathione offers excellent health benefits and has antioxidant properties that help support your cells. It helps with the body’s normal removal of harmful chemicals and toxins by attaching itself to dangerous molecules and making them easier for your body to remove.(9) Glutathione also teams up with special enzymes to support the normal breakdown off toxic substances and the normal protection of cells from damage caused by harmful compounds. These enzymes include glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase.(10)†
Exposure to smoke, whether from cigarettes or wildfires, can significantly lower the levels of glutathione in your body, making it harder for your body to fight off harmful effects.(11) When this happens, you may feel excessively tired for no apparent reason and have trouble thinking clearly or experience brain fog.
When you have enough glutathione to maintain healthy levels of glutathione, you help your body cope effectively with oxidative stress so you feel your best. This can be especially important if you have a pre-existing respiratory condition because it can help give your lungs the extra health support they need in adverse conditions. Ensuring you have enough glutathione can be a key part of supporting your health during wildfire events.†
You can support healthy glutathione levels by eating a balanced diet and taking supplements, especially during wildfire season. In fact, our Glutathione Plus Lozenges contain a high-quality and stable form of glutathione called EmothionTM S-Acetyl-L-Glutathione in an ideal dosage to quickly support your body's detoxification processes to help it eliminate the harmful toxins created by breathing in wildfire smoke.†
Why Is Staying Hydrated Important In Wildfire Smoke?
Staying hydrated is crucial for supporting your respiratory health and detoxification processes in your body.
One way to protect yourself from smoke is by drinking enough water. Firefighters who work in hot and smoky conditions can get dehydrated quickly, which can be dangerous for their health and make it harder for them to do their jobs safely. They make sure to rehydrate often. Even if you're not a firefighter, staying hydrated is crucial when there's smoke in the air.
Drinking enough water helps support healthy cell function so your body can better handle the stress of breathing in smoke. This is especially important if you are predisposed to having respiratory issues or if you're older because you can be more affected by smoke. Don't just drink water when you're thirsty—always keep a bottle with you!
Electrolytes
Drinking water alone doesn't necessarily mean you're hydrated. Electrolytes are essential for adequate hydration because they help balance the fluids inside and outside cells. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are key electrolytes that regulate fluid distribution and maintain proper cell function. Consuming beverages with electrolytes supports water absorption in your intestines. It helps you retain fluids, which is critical in stressful situations like wildfire events. This balanced fluid retention prevents dehydration and supports overall hydration better than water alone.(12)†
Seeking Health’s Detoxification Support Supplements
Don't wait until the smoke hits. Be prepared. If you are unlucky enough to experience wildfire smoke this season, you'll know you have the resources on hand to keep your body running optimally. You may even be able to help others, too!
We offer unique and scientifically formulated products that are essential to supporting your health when exposed to air pollutants, such as wildfire smoke:
- Glutathione. Support healthy lungs, skin, eyes, and your immune system with products like best-selling Liposomal Glutathione Plus, easy-to-swallow Glutathione Plus, liquid Optimal Liposomal Glutathione, and chewable Glutathione Plus Lozenges if you’re on the go.†
- Electrolytes. Optimal Electrolyte helps you support healthy hydration levels and muscle and heart health, which is especially important when you’re exposed to extreme environmental conditions like smoke. Optimal Electrolyte comes in a great-tasting powder that you simply mix with water. It’s great for kids, too!†
The Bottom Line
Wildfire smoke is an increasingly prevalent issue, but by taking proactive measures, you can protect your health and continue enjoying the outdoors. Remember to stay informed, minimize your exposure, prioritize staying hydrated, and consider supplementing your diet to support your respiratory system.†
Stay safe and breathe easy, knowing Seeking Health has your back!
References:
- https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics/wildfire
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29272827/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36778437/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017488/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8221017
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482744/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827401/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27082891/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1569131/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10517533/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17414589/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231118/
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.