From the desk of Dr. Dandy; THIS SMOKE AND YOUR HEALTH

Sep 9, 2018
4 min read

Over here at the Healing Hut Clinic, we have heard a lot about the smoke affecting patient's health and for good reason. What many people do not understand is that it is not only the smell and the thick air that is bothering one’s health, but also what is in the smoke that is creating many troubles as well.

One of the first things that have to be addressed is when trees in the forest burn, it releases lead and cadmium (1) into the air, along with many other toxins. In this blog, we are going to focus on the cadmium and lead and how they affect ones health. Books have been written on this subject, so in this blog we will simply address what we have seen most this summer with patients and their health. An additional thing that I will talk about is how this smoke also will be creating a larger risk for respiratory infections come this winter. Prevention is key and knowing that the smoke makes for more lung problems in a few months is important to remember.

One major affect is when people get cadmium into their system, it depletes the zinc in the kidneys .(2) Zinc deficiencies can create many problems such as:

-Hair, skin and nails are weakened, shedding or falling out

-Decreased immunity function

-Skin rashes and worsening eczema

-Decreased hormone function

-Allergies

-Diarrhea and general gastrointestinal upset (3)

For more information on the affects of cadmium in the body, please see:

Lead is also a large problem for mental health symptoms, because it binds onto the receptors of dopamine and serotonin. Did you feel like you felt a little more blue, depressed, anxious or irritable this summer with all the smoke and heat? Some symptoms that pop up when lead is affecting mental health:

-Irritability and grouchiness

-Anxiety and nervousness

-Panic attacks

-Major depressive disorders with suicidal ideations

-Muscle and joint fatigue and pain

-Headaches and brain fog

-Chronic fatigue, lead can cause anemia which can exacerbate fatigue (4)

Dopamine is your neurotransmitter that makes you feel even in your life and motivated to get things done. It is also the molecule that creates a healthy reward cycle to stage off addiction patterns. Serotonin is your happiness molecule that makes you feel happy and connected to those in your life. When lead is in the system, these molecules are not able to be absorbed, making people feel depressed, anxious and overall irritated.(5)

Here are some tips to protect the body and lungs from the effects of the smoke:

n-acetylcysteine (NAC): 250mg twice daily

Mullein and red clover tincture: 30 drops three times daily

Zinc: 15-30mg daily

Chlorella tablets: 3-8 daily

If the mental health symptoms have really been a problem:

DMAE: 1 capsule in the morning

Macuna: 1-2 tablets three times daily

Pine pollen: 1 TBSP in am

Phenylalanine: 1 in am

Prevention what's to come:

One last thing to add before ending this blog, for those of you who are prone to pneumonia or respiratory infections, due to the summer smoke, you are at greater risk come this winter, so boosting the immune system now is a really great idea. Here are some tips to preventing respiratory problems this winter:

-Avoid sugar and dairy as best you can

-Echinacea to take every morning

-Make sure your vitamin D, zinc, copper, folate, B12 levels are all optimal and that your white blood cells on your CBC ran by your PCP are at least at 8. All of these can be run at The Healing Hut Clinic in Eagle, Idaho as well.

-Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night

-Try to alleviate stress and if this is not possible, make sure to get in some laughter, time with friends and have a strong connection with your spiritual practice.

-Get in at least 20 minutes of exercise three times a week. This can be a simple walk around the neighborhood--think movement not a marathon

To stay healthy, boost the detox of the smoke, and kick your immune system into high gear, drink the following at least 3-4 times per week:

Dr. Dandy’s Smoke-out smoothie:

½ tsp of maitake mushrooms

1 cup wild blueberries

2 cups organic almond or coconut milk

¼ cup cilantro

2 TBSP of almond or cashew butter

2 TBSP of hydrolyzed collagen

1 TBSP of MCT oil

2 TBSP of organic cocoa powder

1 cup of spinach

1 banana

1-2 packets of stevia

Blend and enjoy

References and citation:

1.M. M. Birky, F. B. Clarke. Inhalation of toxic products from fires.

Bull N Y Acad Med. 1981 Dec; 57(10): 997–1013.

2. Johri, N., Jacquillet, G. & Unwin, R. Biometals (2010) 23: 783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-010-9328-y

3. C. L. Keen and M. Gershwin. Zinc Deficiency and Immune Function. Annual Review of Nutrition 1990 10:1, 415-431

4. M.Bouchard, D C. Bellinger et al. Blood lead levels and major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder in U.S. young adults. Arch Gen Psychiatry. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 Dec 1.

Published in final edited form as: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009 Dec; 66(12): 1313–1319. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.164

5. D. A. Gidlow; Lead toxicity, Occupational Medicine, Volume 54, Issue 2, 1 March 2004, Pages 76–81, https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqh019