Tag: Air

That refreshing sensation you experience when breathing in fresh air in nature might involve more than just the absence of pollution.

While we typically associate nutrients with our diet, a closer examination of scientific studies reveals compelling evidence that humans can also absorb certain nutrients directly from the air.

In a recent perspective article in Advances in Nutrition, we introduce the term “aeronutrients” to describe nutrients absorbed through inhalation, distinguishing them from “gastronutrients,” which are absorbed via the digestive system.

We suggest that breathing can complement our diet by providing essential nutrients like iodine, zinc, manganese, and certain vitamins.

This concept is well-supported by existing research, so why hasn’t it gained widespread attention until now?

Breathing Exposes Us to Nutrients Constantly Over a Lifetime

We inhale roughly 9,000 liters of air daily and about 438 million liters over a lifetime. Unlike eating, breathing is constant. This continuous exposure to the components of air, even in trace amounts, accumulates significantly over time.

So far, most research on air’s impact on health has focused on pollution, emphasizing the need to filter out harmful substances rather than exploring potential benefits. Additionally, since a single breath contains only tiny amounts of nutrients, the significance has often been overlooked.

For centuries, many cultures have recognized the health benefits of nature and fresh air. The concept of aeronutrients provides scientific support for these beliefs. Oxygen, for instance, is technically a nutrient—a chemical essential for sustaining the body’s basic functions.

We don’t usually refer to it as a nutrient because we inhale it instead of consuming it.

Aeronutrients enter the body through small blood vessels in the nose, lungs, olfactory epithelium (where smell is detected), and oropharynx (the back of the throat).

The lungs are capable of absorbing much larger molecules than the gut—specifically, 260 times larger. These molecules pass directly into the bloodstream and brain without being broken down.

Inhaled substances like cocaine, nicotine, and anesthetics enter the body almost instantly and are effective at much lower concentrations compared to when consumed orally.

In contrast, the gut breaks down substances into their smallest components using enzymes and acids before they enter the bloodstream, where they are then metabolized and detoxified by the liver.

The Gut’s Limitations Drive Innovation in Oral Drug Development

While the gut is highly effective at absorbing starches, sugars, and amino acids, it’s less efficient at taking in certain drugs. As a result, scientists are continually working to improve oral medications for better absorption.

Many scientific insights that seem obvious in hindsight have been right in front of us all along. Research from the 1960s showed that laundry workers exposed to iodine in the air had higher levels of iodine in their blood and urine.

More recently, Irish researchers studied schoolchildren living near coastal areas rich in seaweed, where iodine gas levels in the air were significantly higher. These children had notably more iodine in their urine and were less likely to be iodine-deficient compared to those living in areas with less seaweed or rural locations. Diet alone didn’t explain these differences.

This suggests that airborne iodine, particularly in seaweed-rich areas, could help supplement dietary iodine, making it a potential aeronutrient absorbed through breathing.

Manganese and zinc can enter the brain through the neurons in the nose that detect smell. While manganese is essential for health, excessive amounts can be harmful, as seen in welders exposed to high levels of airborne manganese, leading to dangerous buildup in the brain.

Specialized Receptors in the Respiratory System Detect Key Aeronutrients

The cilia in the olfactory and respiratory systems have special receptors that can bind to a variety of aeronutrients, including nutrients like choline, vitamin C, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, and even amino acids.

Research from over 70 years ago showed that aerosolized vitamin B12 could treat vitamin B12 deficiency, which is especially important for those at higher risk, such as vegans, older adults, people with diabetes, and those with excessive alcohol consumption.

There are still many unanswered questions. First, we need to identify which components of air promote health in natural environments like forests, green spaces, oceans, and mountains. So far, most research has focused on pollutants, particulate matter, and allergens like pollen.

Next, we need to determine which of these air components qualify as aeronutrients.

Since aerosolized vitamin B12 has already been shown to be both safe and effective, further studies could investigate whether other micronutrients, such as vitamin D, could be converted into aerosols to help address common nutrient deficiencies.

We need to conduct controlled experiments to examine these potential aeronutrients, focusing on their dosage, safety, and their contribution to our diet. This is especially important in environments with highly filtered air, such as airplanes, hospitals, submarines, and space stations.

It’s possible that aeronutrients could play a role in preventing some of the modern diseases associated with urbanization. In the future, nutrition guidelines might suggest inhaling certain nutrients, or recommend spending more time in nature to naturally absorb aeronutrients, complementing a healthy, balanced diet.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

Read more: Study Finds That Your Sense of Smell Influences How You Breathe