Pollution: what does it do to you exactly?

We breathe approximately 25,000 times every day. Depending on where you live, the air you breathe contains microscopic particles known as particulate matter.

Tiny fragments of dust, soot, smoke, and metal travel deep into the lungs and eventually enter the bloodstream.

How does this really affect you?

When foreign particles enter the body, they set off systemic inflammation. The immune system sees these particles as foreign invaders and releases cytokines, chemical messengers that summon immune cells.

This response is protective in the short term. The goal is to get rid of the intruder.

However, when exposure is constant, the body stays in a state of low-grade inflammation. The blood vessels become stiff, blood pressure rises, and the risk of heart disease grows.

Foreign particles also generate oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when your DNA and cells are damaged.

Think of an ancient fort under siege, constantly being showered with burning arrows. That is happening within your body.

Your body has a powerful antioxidant known as glutathione. But excessive demand leaves you depleted.

Low levels of antioxidants are the root cause of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

Foreign particles interfere with the functioning of your mitochondria. When the mitochondria weaken, they produce less energy and more free radicals, creating a vicious cycle of cellular stress.

By now, your entire body is inflamed.

Research shows that long-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of obesity and insulin resistance, even among people who eat well and exercise regularly.

What can you do?

You may not control the air outside, but you can build resilience within.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, turmeric, and beets. Breathe through your nose, not your mouth, as it filters air more efficiently. Use air purifiers indoors.

Move daily and build muscle strength. A healthy, active body is your best defense against stress caused by the air you are breathing.

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