Dr. Jeffrey Egler on Resilient Health in Fires

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/01/17

Dr. Jeffrey Egler, MD, is a double board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine. A graduate of Drexel University School of Medicine, he completed residency at the University of Colorado and a fellowship in Faculty Development at UCLA. With expertise spanning adult medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics, he also served as Assistant Clinical Professor at USC. Dr. Egler holds a master’s in Spiritual Psychology and certification from the Institute of Functional Medicine. An advocate for holistic health, he integrates evidence-based and functional approaches to optimize patient well-being. He is affiliated with AAFP, ACLM, IFM, and A4M. Egler talks about strategies to protect Angelenos from the health impacts of wildfire smoke and environmental toxins. Dr. Egler emphasized limiting exposure by staying indoors, using HEPA air purifiers, and wearing N95 or P100 masks when outside. He suggested saline nasal sprays, IV nutrient therapy with antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione, and functional medicine approaches to mitigate oxidative stress. For vulnerable groups, tailored care and clean indoor environments are critical. Dr. Egler also recommended optimizing nutrition, hydration, and detox strategies, incorporating therapies like cryotherapy and HBOT, and prioritizing biomarker testing for resilience.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What immediate actions should Angelenos take to protect themselves from smoke inhalation?

Dr. Jeffrey Egler: As an Angeleno, the first and most important step to protect yourself from smoke inhalation right now is to limit exposure. Stay indoors as much as possible, keeping windows and doors tightly closed to prevent outdoor pollutants from entering your space. It’s also a great time to refresh any weather stripping in your home that needs repair. Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter is highly effective for reducing indoor air contaminants and improving air quality, too. If you absolutely must go outside, wearing a properly fitted N95 or P100 mask is critical. These masks filter out fine particulate matter that can deeply irritate your respiratory system. I also recommend using a saline nasal spray to gently cleanse your nasal passages, helping to remove any irritants you may have inhaled.

For a proactive approach to countering the oxidative stress caused by smoke exposure, consider replenishing your body’s defenses with IV nutrient therapy. At Next Health, we offer customized IV therapy options, including antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione, which are key players in neutralizing harmful free radicals and supporting your immune system. This comprehensive strategy can make a significant difference in protecting your health during times of poor air quality. Stay vigilant, take these precautions, and prioritize your well-being during these challenging conditions.

Jacobsen: What can help mitigate the effects of smoke exposure and support lung health?

Egler: To mitigate the effects of smoke exposure and support your lung health, it’s important to focus on reducing inflammation and enhancing your body’s natural defenses. Antioxidant support is a key step—nutrients like N-acetylcysteine (NAC), vitamin C, and glutathione play a critical role in neutralizing free radicals produced by smoke exposure. These antioxidants help protect lung tissue from oxidative stress and promote recovery.

Incorporating breathwork and respiratory care into your daily routine can also provide relief. Simple deep breathing exercises can improve oxygen exchange and help expel irritants from your lungs. Using a humidifier in your living space adds moisture to the air, soothing irritated respiratory passages and reducing discomfort.

For a more advanced approach, consider Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which we offer at Next Health. This therapy delivers concentrated oxygen to your tissues, promoting healing and significantly reducing inflammation caused by smoke exposure. Another option to address systemic inflammation is cold therapy, such as cryotherapy, which can help calm your body’s inflammatory response and boost overall recovery.

Jacobsen: How can residents optimize diets and hydration to counteract increased environmental toxins from the LA fires?

Egler: To counteract the increased environmental toxins from the LA fires, optimizing your diet and hydration is essential for supporting your body’s natural detoxification processes. First and foremost, stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of filtered water throughout the day. Proper hydration helps flush toxins from your system and supports kidney function. Adding electrolytes, like mineral salt or high-quality coconut water without added sugar, can further enhance hydration by ensuring your body maintains the right balance of minerals during this stressful time.

Incorporate anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense foods into your diet to help combat oxidative stress. Focus on antioxidant-rich fruits like berries, leafy greens like kale and spinach, and spices like turmeric, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3-rich fish, such as salmon or mackerel, can also provide essential fatty acids that help reduce systemic inflammation and support lung health.

For a more tailored approach, consider consulting with a functional medicine provider at Next Health. Our experts can work with you to create a personalized detox diet plan that aligns with your unique needs, incorporating supplements or specific food strategies to boost your body’s resilience. By prioritizing hydration and nutrition, you can equip your body to better manage the effects of environmental toxins and maintain optimal health.

Jacobsen: What advice do you have for those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions around fires?

Egler: For individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease, it’s especially important to take proactive steps to protect your health during these devastating fires. Start by closely following your prescribed management plan and ensuring that any rescue medications, like inhalers, are easily accessible. This preparedness can be life-saving if symptoms are triggered by poor air quality.

Everyone should leverage biomarker testing to gain a data-driven understanding of how your unique body is responding to environmental challenges. These tests can monitor inflammation and oxidative stress levels, helping to tailor your health strategy and address any potential risks before they escalate.

Another option to consider is ozone therapy, which enhances oxygen delivery throughout the body and can significantly reduce systemic inflammation, providing a supportive boost for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. By combining these approaches, you can better safeguard your health during periods of heightened environmental stress while ensuring you remain resilient and well-equipped to manage pre-existing conditions.

Jacobsen: How does a functional medicine strategy address the health challenges posed by wildfire smoke and ash?

Egler: A functional medicine strategy is uniquely equipped to address the health challenges posed by wildfire smoke and ash by focusing on root cause identification and personalized solutions. Wildfire exposure introduces toxins and increases oxidative stress, so the primary goal is to support the body’s detoxification and immune response.

Detoxification support is essential for eliminating harmful pollutants from the body. Detox IV drips, rich in antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin C, can provide immediate relief by neutralizing free radicals and promoting cellular repair. Oral supplementation with antioxidants and binders, such as activated charcoal, can further aid in removing toxins from the system.

Strengthening the immune system is another critical component. Supplements like zinc and vitamin D can help bolster immune resilience, ensuring your body can better combat the inflammatory effects of smoke exposure.

At Next Health, our comprehensive wellness plans are designed to address inflammation, oxidative stress, and overall recovery. These personalized strategies combine advanced therapies and expert guidance to ensure your body is fully supported in mitigating the health impacts of wildfire exposure, promoting long-term resilience and vitality.

Jacobsen: What are practical tips for reducing the long-term risks associated with air pollution?

Egler: Reducing the long-term risks associated with air pollution requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach. Start by investing in your home’s air quality with high-quality air purifiers, particularly those equipped with HEPA filters, to minimize exposure to harmful airborne particles indoors. Clean, pollutant-free air is a crucial foundation for protecting your health over time.

Regular detoxification can also play a key role. Seasonal detox protocols, such as IV therapy to replenish antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin C, and sauna sessions to encourage sweat-based toxin elimination, are effective ways to support your body’s natural cleansing processes.

Lifestyle optimization is equally important. Focus on maintaining a nutrient-rich diet filled with antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to combat oxidative damage. Engage in regular physical activity indoors during periods of poor air quality, and consider incorporating targeted supplements to further protect against inflammation and free radical damage. At Next Health, we offer tailored wellness plans to help you build long-term resilience, combining personalized detox strategies, advanced therapies, and nutritional support to keep you thriving despite environmental challenges.

Jacobsen: How can families support children and elderly members who are vulnerable to the impacts of the fires?

Egler: This question hits home for me as I serve as the functional medicine doctor for my own children, one of whom has asthma and has been especially impacted by the environmental toxins. Supporting children and elderly family members during fires requires thoughtful measures to address their unique vulnerabilities. Begin by creating a safe indoor environment. Use HEPA filters to maintain clean air, limit exposure to outdoor air by keeping windows and doors closed, and ensure everyone stays adequately hydrated to help flush toxins from their systems.

For more tailored care, consider pediatric or geriatric consultations with functional medicine providers. These specialists can address specific needs, whether it’s enhancing a child’s developing immune system or managing chronic conditions in older adults, with personalized strategies to mitigate the impacts of smoke and pollutants.

Wellness services can also be invaluable for recovery. IV therapy and antioxidant supplementation, such as glutathione and vitamin C, can provide critical support by combating oxidative stress and promoting overall resilience for vulnerable family members.

To empower families further, Next Health offers educational webinars and resources to help you stay informed about best practices for protecting loved ones. By combining safe environments, specialized care, and wellness resources, you can effectively support your family through the challenges of fire season.

Jacobsen: How can Los Angeles residents build health resilience?

Egler: Building health resilience as a Los Angeles resident involves taking proactive steps to support your body against environmental and lifestyle stressors. Start with routine biomarker testing to gain insights into inflammation levels, toxin exposure, and antioxidant capacity. This data provides a clear picture of your health and allows you to address potential issues before they escalate.

Optimizing core health pillars is equally vital. Prioritize quality sleep, effective stress management, balanced nutrition, and regular physical activity. Next Health’s 12-spoke Wellness Wheel framework is a powerful tool to help you identify any areas of weakness and create a plan to strengthen them, ensuring a holistic approach to resilience.

Incorporating therapies like cryotherapy and sauna sessions into your routine can further enhance your body’s defenses. Cryotherapy reduces inflammation, while sauna use promotes detoxification by encouraging sweat-based toxin elimination.

Finally, consider joining as a Next Health member to make health optimization part of your lifestyle. These personalized programs integrate advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge therapies, and expert guidance to help you build a strong foundation of health and resilience, enabling you to thrive in the face of Los Angeles’ unique environmental challenges.

By adopting these strategies, Angelenos can not only protect themselves during wildfire season but also invest in long-term health resilience. At Next Health, our mission is to empower you with cutting-edge tools and guidance to thrive in any environment.

Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Dr. Egler.

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