4 Effective Ways To Enhance Lung Health

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Today we look at the ways you can promote healthy lungs. In addition to prudent supplementation and a diet rich in beta-carotene and other antioxidants, simple lifestyle steps can help promote healthy lungs for a lifetime. A focus here will not only lower your risk of lung cancer, but during our respiratory virus global pandemic it is best to have the lungs in the best shape possible.

1. Don’t smoke or vape. Tobacco addiction is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, greatly increasing the risks of developing lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
2. Get regular exercise. It helps promote healthy lung function and optimal oxygen delivery throughout the body. Make sure to find the kinds of exercise that really get you breathing hard for bursts of time. Work with your doctor on finding the best exercises you can safely perform.
3. Avoid exposure to environmental air pollutants. High ozone levels, smog, car exhaust, asbestos and metal dusts are unhealthy for lungs and can lead to lung disease. Use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to reduce exposure to smoke and smog and wear a protective mask when you are in close proximity to lung irritants such as drywall dust or fiberglass insulation fibers.
4. Limit exposure to toxic household cleaners. Chlorine bleach, petroleum distillates, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrobenzene can harm the lungs. Use safer alternatives for cleaning such as baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar.

It is also prudent to practice deep breathing exercises to increase lung capacity, improve respiratory efficiency, and promote general relaxation, as well as to maintain a normal weight: excess pounds tax both the heart and lungs. If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to experience shortness of breath.

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