What can be more basic than Air! We may be able to live days without food but hardly a few minutes without air. Clean air provides us with life sustaining oxygen and is critical for health and longevity. 

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Did you know the below facts on air pollution according to the World Health Organization?

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• According to the WHO, air pollution is the single biggest environmental health risk and 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe polluted air.

• Over 80% of urban residents are exposed to pollution levels exceeding WHO limits.

• Air pollution is responsible for 43% of deaths from Lung disease, 24% of deaths from Stroke, and a daunting 25% of deaths from Heart disease.

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Air pollution can shave years off of the human lifespan. When centenarian Elizabeth Zangel returned to her birth farm place in Minnesota for her 100th birthday celebration, she had a short and sweet message for the younger generations emphasizing three things: the importance of living a plain life, prayers and fresh air!

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Air, the invisible and essential resource that envelops our planet, serves as the lifeline for all living beings. Beyond its role in sustaining life through respiration, air plays a significant role in promoting longevity and combating the aging process. Let's explore the profound importance of air in supporting longevity and anti-aging processes, and highlight the various ways in which air quality, oxygenation, and environmental factors impact our overall well-being.

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Oxygenation and Cellular Health

Air provides us with a vital element: oxygen. Every breath we take delivers this life-sustaining gas to our lungs, where it enters our bloodstream and reaches every cell in our body. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration, a metabolic process that generates energy to power our bodily functions. Adequate oxygenation promotes the optimal functioning of organs, tissues, and systems, contributing to longevity and reducing the effects of aging.

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Detoxification and Oxidative Stress

Air quality plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy environment free from harmful pollutants. Clean air facilitates efficient detoxification within our bodies, enabling the elimination of waste products and toxins that accumulate through metabolic processes. By reducing exposure to air pollutants, such as particulate matter and chemical toxins, we can minimize oxidative stress—a major contributor to aging. By reducing oxidative stress, the aging process can be slowed, leading to healthier aging and increased longevity.

 

Respiratory Health and Vitality

The quality of the air we breathe significantly impacts our respiratory health, which, in turn, affects overall well-being. Poor air quality, laden with pollutants and irritants, can lead to respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergies. These conditions can hamper daily activities, decrease lung capacity, and diminish vitality. By ensuring clean and fresh air, we can maintain robust respiratory function, enabling an active and fulfilling life.

 

Mental Clarity and Cognitive Function

Air quality has a profound impact on our mental well-being and cognitive function. Studies have shown that poor air quality, particularly high levels of indoor pollutants, can impair cognitive performance, memory, and concentration. By providing fresh and clean air, we enhance oxygenation to the brain, promoting mental clarity, focus, and overall cognitive function. This, in turn, contributes to improved quality of life and longevity.

 

Stress Reduction and Emotional Balance

Air, particularly when infused with natural scents like those found in forests and oceans, possesses the power to reduce stress and promote emotional balance. Breathing in fresh air rich in negative ions, found abundantly in natural environments, can elevate mood, alleviate anxiety, and promote relaxation. By reducing stress levels, we can minimize the harmful effects of chronic stress on our body, ultimately supporting longevity and anti-aging.

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The significance of air in promoting longevity and combating the aging process cannot be overstated. From oxygenation and cellular health to detoxification and cognitive function, the quality of the air we breathe impacts every aspect of our well-being. By ensuring clean air, reducing exposure to pollutants, and fostering a connection with natural environments, we can harness the power of air to enhance our longevity and experience a vibrant and fulfilling life. Let us recognize the importance of air, not only for our immediate survival but also as a foundation for healthy aging and longevity.

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside your home can be 100 times more polluted than the air outdoors. Here are some tips and solutions to address air pollution and improve the quality of air.

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Air purifier, a must have in today's modern world: A good air purifier is a must in the modern world and one of the best investments when it comes to improving air quality. In our opinion, you cannot find a better air purifier than the AirDoctor, and definitely not in it's economical price range. While most other air purifiers can only capture airborne particles of size 0.3 microns and larger, the AirDoctor contains a comprehensive UltraHEPA filter and a Dual Action Carbon/Gas/VOC filter, and is specifically designed to capture airborne particles as small as 0.003 microns including smoke particles (0.1-1 microns), bacteria (0.06-0.2 microns), viruses (0.06-0.1 microns), pet dander (2.5-10 microns), pollen (10-20 microns) and mold (10 microns). With an excellent ACH (air changes per hour), AirDoctor purifiers are powerful enough to clean the air 4 times per hour, or every 15 minutes. There are simply two choices for filtering indoor air, either you get a filter to do it for you or you yourself become the filter!

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Essential Oils: Many essential oils carry antimicrobial properties that can eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses. In fact, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree essential oils have been clinically proven to inactivate airborne Flu virus. Another study at the Weber State University proved the efficacy of the famous oil blend - Thieves, against airborne bacteria. The study showed that Thieves essential oil can significantly reduce airborne bacteria in as little as 6 minutes!

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Beeswax Candles: Beeswax candles act as natural air purifiers. Regular paraffin candles which are petroleum derived can release chemicals into the air. On the contrary, 100% pure Beeswax candles release negative ions in the air thereby neutralizing air contaminants.

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Get a door mat: Much of indoor air pollution can be addressed simply by installing a good doormat. The dirt and dust which can be 'tracked' into homes from our shoes can contain bacteria, viruses, animal waste, mold spores, heavy metals and more. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted the 'door mat study' and found that just by adding a good door mat at the door and taking your shoes off at the door when you enter homes, the incidence of lead dust and other common toxins decreased by 60 percent. 

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Himalayan Salt Lamps: In addition to enhancing the beauty of indoor spaces, Himalayan Salt lamps are natural air ionizers which act as toxin neutralizers. Allergy sufferers have experienced soothing results from installing HS lamps. They can also make beautiful night lights!

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Carpet Cleaning Essentials: Avoid traditional soap based carpet cleaners as they attract more dirt and make clean carpets quickly dirty again. The Carpet and Rug Institute has a Seal of Approval program to certify superior carpet cleaning products like Hoover.

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Houseplants: Getting back to nature, plants are nature's way to purify air. Indoor plants are a great way to improve air quality by absorbing chemicals and pollutants in the air. In fact, NASA researchers conducted The Clean Air Study and found that many indoor plants may provide a natural way of removing toxic chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air helping to neutralize the effects of sick building syndrome. Peace Lily, Golden Pothos and Chrysanthemum Morifolium (Pot Mum) are a good place to start. Be careful while choosing indoor plants as many plants can be toxic to dogs and cats.

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Ventilation: In addition to supplying oxygen, breathing also frees the blood from excess carbon dioxide among other impurities. Therefore, it is important to have good ventilation to improve indoor air quality.

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Belly Breathing: Practicing diaphragmatic breathing or 'belly breathing' encourages far greater oxygen exchange as compared to thoracic breathing or 'chest breathing'. Belly breathing is deep while chest breathing is relatively shallow. If we ever saw a baby breathing during sleep, we will find that the baby almost entirely belly breathes. As adults, due to stress or wanting to show a flat belly, we have been out of touch with our natural breathing state. But it's never too late. For more information, check out Master Stephen Co's  The Power of Prana: Breathe Your Way to Health and Vitality