Most people know type 2 diabetes to be related to diet and exercise, but very few people would think that it could be linked to air pollution. Well, it is!
A study out of the German Research Center for Environmental Health found that participants with pre-diabetes were vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. According to their results, people with higher blood marker levels for diabetes were more likely to be living in an area greater affected by pollution.
The study concluded that air pollution was indeed a risk factor for type 2 diabetes for individuals with impaired glucose metabolism, the key indicator for pre-diabetes.
Due to the significance of this data, the authors are seeking to effect change in environmental policies in their region.
You don’t have to wait for policy change in your area, though, to tackle the problem in your own home.
Here are 4 easy ways to help control the air pollution in your home.
#1 Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a great detoxifier for the body, and it works in a similar way in the air. The charcoal absorbs toxins so that odors are eliminated, and pollutants are trapped. You can buy carbon air filters in many supermarkets and home improvement stores.
#2 House Plants
Fill your home with plants to naturally clean your air! My favorite plant is the golden pothos because it is easy to maintain and to replant. You can buy one plant, and within a couple of months, you have several new plants from the original!
#3 Ventilation
Keep the air moving to prevent pollutants from accumulating so easily in your home. To do so, use a ceiling fan or a floor fan. Consider installing trickle vents on your windows to allow fresh air to enter without inviting the outdoor air pollutants into your home.
#4 Indoor Air Filters
Check your air filters and be sure that they are clean and working properly. HEPA air filters work well in trapping pollutants when changed regularly.
There are many more benefits to having clean air in your home than preventing diabetes. Luckily, it is super easy to freshen up the air quality in your home!
[expand title=”References“]
Science Daily. URL Link. Accessed February 28, 2017.
Natural Living Ideas. URL Link. Accessed February 28, 2017.
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