In recent times a new trend has emerged based on the popular natural health movement. This trend is lung ‘detoxification’, and unsurprisingly it is a special concern amongst smokers and ex-smokers. Like body detoxification, the basic goal of lung detoxification is to clear unwanted debris from your lungs.
The Basics of Lung Detoxification
To begin, we should understand the basic procedures behind lung detoxification. Under normal circumstances, it is said that your body takes up to 15 years to remove all the tar and chemicals in your lungs from cigarette smoking. During this time, the tar causes blockages which prevent white blood cells known as macrophages from efficiently removing debris. The goal of lung detoxification is to speed the natural cleaning process up significantly.
This is usually done in two parts. First, a series of herbs and other supplements are used which (supposedly) act directly on the phlegm, tar, and other debris caught in your lungs. This breaks it up so you can cough it out easier and the macrophages can remove it more efficiently.
The second part involves boosting the efficiency of your overall body through diet and exercise with a special goal of increasing immune system function. This is said to boost the performance of the macrophages and further clear out your lungs.
How Well Does Lung Detox Work?
The only problem with this entire process is the fact that no current scientific evidence exists in support of it. It is of course nearly impossible to check the condition of your lungs before and after, so any claims about faster debris removal are unsubstantiated.
The idea that exercise and diet can boost your immuno-efficiency is good, and of course being healthier always has benefits. This does not necessarily translate into cleaner lungs in a shorter time, however.
That being said, there are many people who have tried different variations of the lung detox program and reported positive results. Since its unlikely to cause any harm, you might say it’ worth trying just to find out if it helps.
Are there any Other Ways to Clean my Lungs?
The short answer is no. There is currently no scientifically valid method of clearing the lungs of debris any faster than would happen naturally. Think of the tar built up in your lungs like that which collects on the underside of your car after driving on a freshly oiled road. It is extremely difficult to remove. And the tar in your lungs collects in the aveoli (air sacs) where it is least accessible to your cilia (lung hairs). On top of that, those cilia are usually damaged from years of smoking also.
Lifestyle Choices can Help Clean your Lungs and Body
While there may not currently be a cure all method of cleaning your lungs, we do know that a healthy diet, exercise, good sleeping habits, and plenty of water can make a significant difference in your body’s waste removal and immune system. So don’t give up hope if a lung detox doesn’t quite live up to your expectations. With time and good habits, you can restore yourself to full capacity as if you never smoked at all!
thanks for making sense of all the hype.
there are companies and quacks out there thaT’LL TRY TO SELL YOU ANYTHING TO MAKE A PROFIT on unsuspecting folks who are trying to do what is healthy.