Let's say you're trying to find some solid information about a serious health problem that concerns you, high blood pressure, diabetes.

Yet everywhere you look, someone's trying to sell you something like vitamins

yoga mats blenders drugs well breathe a sigh relief because all we bring you are

the facts.

Welcome to the Nutrition Facts Podcast.

I'm your host Dr. Michael Greger.

Did you know that there's been a steep rise

in cases of asthma over the years

and that much of that can be attributed to an increase in air pollution?

Well, it turns out that some diets can improve our respiratory defense against lung disease and infection.

Here is our first story.

Outdoor air pollution may be the ninth leading cause of death and disability in the world,

responsible for millions of deaths from lung cancer,

emphysema, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infection.

In the U.S. living in a polluted city was associated with a 16, 27, and 28% increase in total,

cardiovascular and lung cancer death compared to living in a city with cleaner air.

Living in a city with polluted air may lead up to a 75% increase in the risk of a heart attack.

No one wants to be living in a traffic jam, but it's better than dying in a traffic jam.

In addition to causing deaths, air pollution is also the cause of a number of health problems.

It may not only exacerbate asthma, but increase the

risk of developing asthma in the first place. These pollutants may trigger liver disease, even increase the risk of diabetes.

Even when atmospheric pollutants are within legally established limits,

...