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How Improving Lung Health Supports Brain Function

The human brain is a fascinating organ, and it is recognized as one of the most important of all the body’s organs. A less recognized fact about the brain is that it is heavily dependent upon the health and functioning of the lungs. Energy in the brain is generated almost exclusively from a form of metabolism that requires oxygen. The brain’s oxygen demands are so enormous, that despite comprising only 2 percent of the body, our brains consume 20 percent of the body’s total oxygen supply.

This oxygen is supplied directly by the lungs, and therefore, the health of our lungs and their ability to take in oxygen is directly linked to the health and functioning of our brains.

How Toxic Chemicals Affect Our Lung & Brain Health

We live in an increasingly polluted world. Waste from industrial agriculture, pesticides, factories, exhaust fumes, chemical sprays, and so much more fill the air with microscopic particles that are toxic to our health.

These toxins are so small, that they easily go unnoticed, but the impact they have on our health can be huge. As we breathe in these toxins, they can cause significant damage to our lungs, leading to impaired respiratory function and even respiratory ailments like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, and produces symptoms such as breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production and wheezing.

When respiratory health is impaired, it affects the amount of oxygen that is available to the brain, and as a result, nervous system health also becomes impaired.

Multimorbidities

A Multimorbidity is the development of coexistent chronic diseases that are caused by common risk factors, such as aging, smoking, air pollution, physical inactivity, and hypertension. Essentially, it is when one has two or more chronic illnesses that are caused by the same underlying issue.

The number and severity of multimorbidities is likely to increase with age, and the most frequent multimorbidities are cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, endocrinological, and neurologic in origin. COPD, for example, is a chronic respiratory disease. It can, however, lead to complications of the nervous system.

Though we don’t always think of the body in these terms, the body is one system, and each of its organs are intimately interlinked. The lungs supply oxygen to the entire body, and when lung health is impaired, it can lead to various other ailments.

Improving Lung & Brain Health

Enhancing lung health naturally enhances neurological health, as it improves the amount of oxygen that is available to the brain. To enhance lung health it is essential that we cleanse our lungs of built up toxins and also be diligent about avoiding exposure to toxic air pollution. Simultaneously, we must focus on eating a nutrient-rich diet, practicing deep-breathing exercises, and getting plenty of fresh air each day.

To cleanse the lungs, first and foremost avoid exposure to airborne toxins in the first place. This can be done by spending more time in natural environments and less time inside or in areas of dense population and human activity. We can also enhance our indoor air quality with house plants, HEPA filters, and essential oil diffusers.

To take the lung cleansing to the next level, consider using an herbal lung detox tonic. There are not many on the market, but these herbal tonics can work wonders for our respiratory health. They contain natural plants with organic compounds that benefit lung and respiratory health. Zuma Nutrition’s Lung Detox & Support tonic is one of the better lung detox supplements on the market. They use only organic and wildcrafted herbs, and focus their formulation methods around improving bioavailability of these herbs for maximum effectiveness.

Summary

The human brain relies heavily on oxygen for its functioning, and is therefore totally dependent upon the lungs. The health of our lungs and their ability to take in oxygen directly impacts the health and functioning of our brains. In order to enhance our brain function, we may want to focus on enhancing our lung function by removing built up toxins in the lungs and enhancing our respiratory health.

Sources:

https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.201308-1445ED 

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/study-reveals-brains-finely-tuned-system-of-energy-supply 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121008144258.htm 

Written by Eric

37-year-old who enjoys ferret racing, binge-watching boxed sets and praying. He is exciting and entertaining, but can also be very boring and a bit grumpy.