haze it away 1

How to protect your body against the haze

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Wednesday, Jun 19, 2013
The Straits Times
By Shefali Srinivas

SINGAPORE - Even a little haze can harm the body over the long term.

A healthy immune system is probably the best antidote against haze-related health problems, according to naturopathic health principles.

Breathing problems stem from the minute particles of ash found in the haze here. Meteorologists call these particles PM10, although the PSI readings also take into account five other pollutants.

Breathing in too much PM10 increases the risk of heart attacks and heart failure, lung cancer and strokes. It can also make people more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections.

Most healthy people may experience mild eye irritation, sore throat or cough from the pollutants.

While it can seem impossible to keep healthy when the air one breathes is itself hazardous, a few simple measures can help beef up the body's innate protective systems, said Dr Sharita Rowbottom, a United Kingdom-qualified naturopath . Her first suggestion is to drink a little more water than usual, to help the kidneys flush out the toxins absorbed through the skin and lungs.

She also advises cutting down on coffee and alcohol, which promote fluid loss and leach nutrients from the body.

The body makes excess mucus in reaction to infections such as coughs, colds and the flu. But excess mucus is produced also when an allergic reaction causes the lining of the airways to become inflamed.

So in such times, it might be useful to restrict foods that promote mucus production. Dr Rowbottom names dairy products as foods to avoid.

Drinking plenty of water will also help thin the mucus so that it moves more easily.

14 health tips to beat the haze

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(Photos: Various sources)

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