A Breath of Fresh Air: Perspectives on Inhaled Nutrients and Bacteria to Improve Human Health.

Stephen R Robinson, Flávia Fayet-Moore

Journal: Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) 2024;15(12):100333

PMID: 39486624

Free Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

We propose that the human respiratory system and olfactory pathways sequester airborne nutrients (vitamins, fatty acids, and trace minerals) that are beneficial for health, which we term "aeronutrients." In addition, airborne bacteria, termed "aeromicrobes," have the potential for positive health effects by improving species diversity in the microbiotas of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. These concepts have implications for people living in urban areas or those who have limited access to nature, such as astronauts exposed for long periods to highly filtered air that may be depleted of aeronutrients and aeromicrobes. The possibility that fresh air contributes to human nutrition and health may stimulate a re-evaluation of guidelines pertaining to nutrition and access to natural environments, and will open new avenues of scientific enquiry.

Address: FOODiQ Global, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, the University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia.; Discipline of Psychology, School of Health & Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bundoora, VIC, Australia; Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS), Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100333

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Respiratory System, Nutrients, Bacteria, Gastrointestinal Tract, Air Microbiology, Microbiota