The Simple Secrets to Better Health

March 2007-  Smoking

It has quickly become "socially unacceptable" to smoke cigarettes. While everyone knows smoking is bad for your health, few can explain the reason why. Read on and you will know.

There are about 20 million free radicals given off in the smoke of each cigarette. As you will recall from  Chapter 1 of The Simple Secrets to Better Health, free radicals are charged molecules that need to find an electron to neutralize them. To do this, they must either steal electrons from fats, proteins and even the DNA of the cell or they will have an electron harmlessly donated to them by antioxidants. The damage caused to body parts by the stealing of electrons needs to be repaired, so the body uses inflammation to accomplish this task. 

In the case of lung cancer, the free radicals damage the DNA of the lung cells. Initially, the body has the ability to repair the damage and control the inflammation. With constant smoking, the repairs can't keep up and the DNA can be permanently altered. These mutated lung cells can now develop into cancer.

In other parts of the body, antioxidants are fighting the forces of inflammation as well. Periodontal diseaase is an example. The irritation from cigarettes irritates the blood vessels, which reduces the healing blood supply to the gums. Now the plaque on the teeth that was controlled before can get out of control and cause periodontal breakdown. Essentially, the body's antioxidant reserves to neutralize free radicals are so busy fighting the cigarette smoke damage that they run short of resources for healing your gums.

There are two choices available to improve your health. First, reduce the oxidation from the free radical storm creating the irritation. That means "quit smoking"! Second, increase the antioxidants in your diet to build up your body's reserves of electron donors. That means "take your nutritional supplements". It makes sense to do both. Your lungs, your gums and your friends will appreciate it.

If you want to quit smoking and need help, call us or you can reach the Smoker's Helpline directly at 1-877-513-5333. If you would like help measuring and increasing your antioxidant levels, we would be pleased to help there as well.

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