Air Pollutants Congregate In The Liver, Lungs & More: How To Get Rid Of Them

According to shocking data recently published by the WHO, 99% of the global population1 breathes unhealthy air that's contaminated with pollutants. Left unchecked, unwanted toxins from the air can tax our detoxification organs and lead to health concerns now and later that affect our cardiovascular system, cognitive function, and more.

Specifically, our six organs of elimination—the liver, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract, lymph, and kidneys—cannot function optimally when there's an overwhelming amount of unwanted compounds to remove. 

Thanks to each elimination organ's unique role in filtering and removing unwanted compounds, our entire detoxification system is affected by air pollution. That said, there are a few organs that are more heavily affected by regular exposure to pollutants in the air (e.g., nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and ground-level ozone pollution). 

However, anyone facing routine exposure to pollutants—in the air or elsewhere—will be more prone to a higher burden of toxin exposure and an increased need for toxin elimination (in the lungs and throughout the body).

The translocation of these harsh compounds can stress the liver by fueling pro-inflammatory pathways, affecting the liver's ability to metabolize lipids, remove toxins, and more. Over time, these effects can greatly affect the body's detoxification pathways and lead to liver-related wear and tear (and health concerns).

This mechanism exposes the lungs to harsh particulate matter from pollutants, which affects overall gut health and function. Emerging research reveals that air pollution has a profound effect on gut microbiota health4 and leaves lipids (especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, aka PUFAs) vulnerable to attacks from free radicals. This implicates not only the integrity of the detoxification system but whole-body health, as a healthy gut supports mental well-being, immune function, endocrine health (i.e., hormonal balance), and more.

While we can't solve the issue of widespread pollution, contaminants, and climate change in a day, there are many ways to support our elimination organs so they can effectively filter and remove unwanted toxins. Here are some daily (I repeat, daily) actions you can take to bolster your body's natural detoxification pathways:

Embracing a daily detox lifestyle that prioritizes hydration, movement, and targeted, antioxidant-rich bioactives that support your liver, lungs, gut, and other detoxification organs is key to holistically promoting your body's elimination of unwanted pollutants and other toxins.*