Smoking--Don't Do It!

            Smoking has a detrimental effect on nutrition. Smokers break down Vitamin C about twice as fast as nonsmokers. This can deprive the body of adequate amounts of . . . versatile antioxidants . . . Other antioxidants are depleted as well. Cigarette smoke contains a compound . . . that oxidizes (destroys) the antioxidant vitamins . . . damage to DNA. The accelerated antioxidant damage, in combination with the DNA damage, SPEEDS THE AGING PROCESS". This is according to James F.Balch, M.D.

        We read and hear about how bad smoking is for us on a daily basis--yet people continue to smoke--why? Because they are addicted and it is difficult to quit. Some say that it is harder to quit smoking than to quit heroin addiction. Why does this happen? It is reported that one reason is that the tolerance to nicotine develops very rapidly. This means that to experience the sense of pleasure and relaxation (this is real and is attributed to some of the same hormonal and chemical changes that are the most damaging to the body) that made the smoker enjoy smoking, he/she must smoke more and more to get the same satisfaction. Thus, a 2 a day cigarette habit increases to 1 then 2 or more packs a day.

            What does this mean to those who smoke, live with smokers or know smokers? It doesn't mean to criticize them--it does mean that we need to provide education and offer PROTECTION FOR THE SMOKER AND THOSE WHO ARE EXPOSED TO THEIR SMOKE.

There is still a lot of debate about the damages of second hand smoke; however there is good research to indicate that the children who are exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis are at increased risk for respiratory diseases, cancer and leukemia.

WHY ELSE SHOULD YOU QUIT?

          There are thousands of potentially dangerous compounds in tobacco. Let's just talk about the one we know the most about: NICOTINE: It raises blood pressure, raises the metabolic rate and drives nutrients out of the body, causes the tissues of your skin to be dull and gray looking(the tissues are starving for oxygen), deprives the cells and blood of oxygen, causes muscles to tense, affects your body temperature, causes hormonal changes, the list could go on.

THEN THERE ARE THE STATISTICS:

i. Cigarettes are a factor in 17% of deaths in the US annually Heart Disease is more prevalent in smokers than nonsmoker.

ii.1/3 of cancer deaths are related to smoking

iii.85% of those with chronic obstruction pulmonary disease are smokers

iv.85% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking

AND IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH smoking is also linked to angina, blocked arteries, cataracts, bronchitis, asthma, colon cancer, impotence, urinary problems, and many other respiratory conditions because it paralyzes the cilia which are supposed to clear the mucous from your body. AND WOMEN it can lead to earlier menopause.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I QUIT? The healing process begins immediately--hopefully you have escaped some of the more damaging conditions--Within 24 hours blood pressure and pulse rate begin to normalize; blood oxygen begins to improve, your sense of taste and smell begin to normalize, it is easier to breathe and within one week your risk for a heart attack decreases.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE? You need to supply the body with optimum nutrition on a daily basis to try and keep up with the nutrition that is being driven from your body. The most comprehensive regimen: VitaOne or VitChe as a foundation. Coral Calcium, ViGest (it is essential that you breakdown the nutrients that you so desperately need), and Vita Enhanced Water (smoking dehydrates your system and creates acid conditions, so, you need lots of water and this water hydrates better and counteracts the acids). These four are the minimum protection for those exposed to the smoke. The smoker and the smoker who is trying to quit needs extra help: Garlic( 1 3x a day). Omega III ( 1 3x), C-Crystals ( 1/2 tsp 3x), CoQ10 (1 mg per 1 lb of body weight), CellRich (2 3x a day for 10 days; then 1 or 2 a day),Beta-Carotene ( 1 3x) and to help the liver with its cleansing job, VitaMarin (1 2x a day).

SPECIAL TIP: IF YOU ARE TRYING TO QUIT, REMEMBER, THE STRONG URGE FOR THE CIGARETTE LASTS 3-5 MINUTES so try to occupy yourself for that time: run, do push ups, talk to someone, something.

ALSO, they say that the urge for "mouth feel" is strong--DO NOT suck on candy. The sugars will increase your craving. INSTEAD suck on a Chewable Vitamin C . . . it tastes like a tart candy; but it satisfies your nutritional craving instead of creating one.