TMHS 871: Improve Your Sleep, Reduce Autoimmunity & More By Improving Your Air Quality - With Mike Feldstein
Feb 19, 2025
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In this enlightening conversation, Mike Feldstein, an air quality expert and founder of Jaspr, unpacks the alarming impact of environmental factors on health. He explains why recent wildfires in Los Angeles have worsened air quality and why traditional air purifiers may not be enough. Discover actionable tips for improving indoor air, like the benefits of HEPA and carbon filters, and learn how air quality influences sleep and cognitive function. Feldstein emphasizes the need for greater awareness of indoor air pollution and provides insights for healthier living.
Air quality significantly impacts overall health, often overshadowing aspects like nutrition and exercise, making it crucial to address indoor pollutants.
Recent wildfires have drastically worsened air quality in areas like Los Angeles, with harmful particulates and toxic chemicals profoundly affecting public health.
Practical steps such as using air purifiers, improving ventilation, and choosing low-toxicity products are essential for maintaining a healthier home environment.
Deep dives
The Hidden Impact of Air Quality
Air quality plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, surpassing the importance of nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Poor air quality, particularly in homes, can severely affect sleep, cognitive function, and the immune system. Many health issues people experience may stem from inadequate awareness of indoor air pollutants, which are often invisible yet pervasive. Understanding and improving air quality can lead to significant health improvements and symptom relief for individuals struggling with various conditions.
The Drawback of Sleep Aids
Many individuals are turning to prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids, leading to a phenomenon known as 'pseudo sleep' where users feel groggy and fatigued. These medications often disrupt natural sleep cycles and mask underlying issues instead of addressing root causes. Natural alternatives, such as the medicinal mushroom reishi, have been shown to enhance sleep quality and even positively influence gene expression related to sleep. An emphasis on holistic approaches encourages better long-term sleep solutions while minimizing dependence on pharmaceuticals.
Wildfire's Lingering Threats to Air Quality
Recent wildfires have made the air quality in places like Los Angeles a significant public health concern, with particulate levels reaching alarming heights. The aftermath of fires includes not only smoke but also toxic chemicals from burned homes, including synthetic materials and household chemicals. Residents exposed to these conditions may experience elevated health risks, as evidenced by patients reporting increased levels of toxins in their blood. Testing for specific harmful substances in indoor environments is now essential, highlighting the need for ongoing air quality education and monitoring.
Creating a Healthier Indoor Environment
Improving air quality should begin with the home environment, which can be achieved through various practical steps. Using air purifiers, keeping windows open during cooking, and ensuring good ventilation are effective methods to maintain better indoor air conditions. Moreover, opting for low-toxicity cleaning products and implementing practices like removing shoes indoors can significantly reduce the introduction of harmful pollutants. Regular maintenance, including duct cleaning and carpet care, is vital in promoting a healthier living space.
Empowering Awareness for Future Generations
Investing in air quality enhancement is not just an individual concern but a larger societal responsibility, particularly for children's well-being. Families can benefit immensely from understanding the impact of their environment on health and making informed choices about home construction and maintenance. There is a pressing need to educate and advocate for healthier building practices in communities to ensure future homes are equipped with good air quality systems. This awareness and proactive approach can help cultivate healthier environments for generations to come.
Our environment is one of the main drivers of our health. Environmental factors have been linked to a variety of health conditions, not limited to asthma, cancer, infertility, and autoimmunity. And right now, for many people across Los Angeles, air quality is top of mind. On this episode of The Model Health Show, I’m joined by air quality educator, Mike Feldstein.
This conversation dives into the Los Angeles fires, their impact on air quality, and what you can do to have cleaner, healthier air in your home. You’re going to learn why this specific fire is especially hazardous to air quality, what to look for in an air purifier, and so much more.
Mike is also bringing you real, actionable tips you can put into place for better air, no matter where you live. The air we breathe is a vital component of our environment, and I hope this episode will give you the knowledge and empowerment you need to keep your family safe and healthy. Enjoy!
In this episode you’ll discover:
Why the Los Angeles fires are more harmful to air quality than a regular wildfire.
How long particulates can stay in the air after a fire.
What molten aluminum is.
Why this particular fire is especially unprecedented.
How Mike got interested in air quality.
The difference between air scrubbers and air purifiers.
Why air awareness is critical for human health.
The difference between a HEPA filter and a carbon filter.
How improving your air quality can improve your sleep.
Why a furnace filter and an air purifier serve different purposes.
What to look for in an air purifier.
Why clean air is especially important for kids.
How improving your air quality can improve your cognitive function and strategy.
Practical, free tips you can use today to upgrade your air quality.
What the lungs of your home are, and how to clean them.