Possibly impairing cognitive benefits of exercise because of air pollution:
Results: UFPM concentrations were significantly higher in the urban environment compared with the rural environment (P = 0.006). Fitness levels improved equally (P < 0.0001) in both groups. Leukocyte counts (P = 0.02), neutrophil counts (P = 0.04), and exhaled nitric oxide levels (P = 0.002) increased after training in the urban group, whereas these parameters did not change in the rural group. The changes in these markers’ levels after training showed a positive correlation with the personal average UFPM exposure during training. Reaction times on the Stroop task improved in the rural group (P = 0.001), but not in the urban group. No effects were found on BDNF levels, Operation Span, and Psychomotor Vigilance test performances.
Conclusion: Aerobic training in an urban environment with high traffic-related air pollution increased inflammatory biomarkers, and, in contrast to aerobic training in a rural environment, cognitive performance on the Stroop task did not improve.
I use a good air purifier and have it on all the time on low setting.
A good air purifier with good sensors has been a key to minimizing my downtime due to flu/respiratory illness in Hong Kong. Recovery has gone from 6 months to just a month (or less) since I bought a HEPA air purifier. I use Philips, but any good brand should do the trick.
I’ll be publishing an interview with George Dallam PhD on the health benefits of nasal breathing (as much of the time as possible) and nasal rinsing daily (I do this and never get sinus infections anymore…used to be regular occurrence).
**Dallam claims the two are great for reducing nasal and other airway infection. **
In general, he recommends nasal breathing for keeping particles out of your lungs (COPD), avoiding damage from drying out lung tissue (exercise onset asthma), increasing co2 in the blood stream (blood vessel constriction), and getting more nitric oxide from nasal passages (more blood vessel constriction)….plus a bunch of other likely benefits. Look for his new book.
This is a followup to my interview 2 years ago about becoming fully nasal adapted for exercising at all intensities while nasal breathing. This one is more about health, and in particular brain and heart health from nasal breathing (avoiding problems caused by oral breathing).
Air purifiers in Finnish daycare reduced children’s illnesses by 18% in a carefully controlled study. This implies huge potential for better public health and cost savings from sick leaves, with a simple intervention against airborne infections.
An excellent air purifier is a necessity for anyone who wants to live a long life. Pneumonia and respiratory illnesses are one of the top killers of the elderly. You should have one in every room you use frequently.
More in general the air quality in East/Southeast Asia can really be an issue. Personally I see many benefits to living there, but I find I find the air pollution to be a major drawback. (With the exception of Japan).
