Smoking is a serious health concern and the habit has severe implications for the health of the individual, even though it is not an illness by itself.
Physiological reactions to cigarette or cigar smoke include the rise in the blood pressure and the pulse rate within minutes of smoking, along with these two events, the oxygen levels within the body begins to fall below normal ranges.
Physical symptoms such as a chronic cough, the congestion of the sinuses, a persistent physical fatigue, a shortness of breath, and other problematic symptoms can develop in the individual, within a few months spent smoking on a regular basis.
Serious illnesses such as cancer, many forms of chronic lung disorders, problems like heart disease, and stroke can eventually appear from long term use of cigarettes or cigars.
If all these health risks exist, then the question to ask is why so many people persist with the habit. The powerful addiction arising from the nicotine present in tobacco is the main reason, why it becomes so hard to quit smoking.
The main addictive substance nicotine is an alkaloid compound abundant in the tobacco leaves; this compound induces physiological effects throughout the body of the individual.
The compound also finds its way straight into the brain of the person, it induces chemical reactions that can temporarily soothe anxiety and result in relief from stress.
Anxieties developed in the person are also calmed by many of the social rituals that accompany lighting up cigarettes and cigars.
Nicotine levels in the body immediately begin to fall, when a person stops smoking.
This lack of the compound now induces jittery feelings along with a range of physical complaints which are said to be withdrawal symptoms-they go away when the person smokes again.
The continuous use of many of the herbs and supplements given here can aid in soothing the symptoms of withdrawal from tobacco smoke.
These include frazzled nerves and the sudden powerful cravings for a smoke that arises in people trying to stop their habit of smoking.
The sudden withdrawal from tobacco is very tough for smokers and these supplements can be used for several weeks or months at a time to help smokers live through this tough period of life.
The positive side of the supplements is that, they can be used along with the other aids for quitting the habit - such as the nicotine patch or the nicotine gum.
The supplements can also be used under the supervision of a doctor, with antidepressant medications often used by many ex-smokers.
The levels of the nutrients such as the essential B vitamins and the vitamin C are often depleted in smokers and supplements must be taken to correct this deficiency of nutrients within the body.
Anxiety levels are reduced by supplements of the vitamin B complex - in addition the supplement will also promotes healthy nerves and recovery from cellular injury.
Use the compound called niacinamide, which is another supplemental form of the B vitamin niacin of feeling of anxiety persists even following initial supplementation.
Excess free radicals flowing around in the body are cleared up by the antioxidant actions of the vitamin C.
These free radicals are produced in the body by cigarette smoke in large amounts - the use of the supplements will ease cravings for tobacco and reduce other withdrawal symptoms which can come about in the person.
Persistent cravings for tobacco can be eased by using a number of additional nutrients - these substances can be used singly or in a combination forms.
Short term relief from the withdrawal symptoms may be provided by the use of baking soda-mainly the chemical sodium bicarbonate.
This compound leads to an increase in the pH of the urine, and studies show that this slows the elimination of the nicotine already stored in the body.
The result is that cravings for additional nicotine is reduced and the person does not have a strong desire to smoke.
Another interesting possible cure for the withdrawal symptoms is the use of the herbal oat extract; this is an herbal remedy which healers in India have traditionally used in the treatment of opium addiction for centuries.
A recent study conducted using this extracts, showed significant reductions in the craving for cigarettes displayed by the test patients, these good effects lasted even two full months following the use of the extract.
The extract works possibly by directly affecting the levels of some of the neurotransmitters in the brain - it may suppresses the center of addiction in the brain.
Jitters and anxiety present from the withdrawal symptoms can also be treated by the use of an anti-anxiety herb called the kava, when left to themselves the symptoms usually disappear within a month from the date of quitting.
Supplements of the anti-stress B vitamin known as the pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) may also benefit all individuals interested in quitting smoking.
This substance increases the synthesis of the anti-stress hormones produced in the adrenal gland and can act to suppress stress in the smoker.
Commonly used essential oils for smoking:
You must also try using some antidepressant medications such as bupropion, alternative methods such as acupuncture treatment, or even hypnosis may help; nicotine patches and gums are also used to great effect by some individuals who want to quit smoking.
The use of all of these methods can lead to a significant reduction in the cravings for nicotine.
Stress can also be beaten back by daily exercise - indeed, physical exercise is the greatest way to deal with persistent stress.
Intense cravings can be reduced in intensity by a brisk walk; this intense craving will usually last for only a few minutes in any case - plan you actions and try to do something else other than smoke.
Kava, 250 mg thrice daily.
Oat extract, one tsp. oat tincture four times daily.
Vitamin C, 2,000 mg thrice daily.
Vitamin B complex, one pill two-times daily with meal. Look for a vitamin B-50 complex with 50 mcg biotin and vitamin B12; 400 mcg of folic acid; and 50 mg of all other B vitamin complex.
Pantothenic acid, 500 mg two times daily. Use the least expensive form - calcium pantothenate.
Baking soda, one tsp. of baking soda in a glass of water two times daily. If you have to restrict sodium or have ulcers, do not take it.
Niacinamide, 500 mg two times daily between food. Long-term use of niacinamide can cause damage of the liver and other side effects.
The majority of smokers use smoking as a relaxant, this ability to suppress stress many simply be the ability of the nicotine to suppress the hyperactive withdrawal symptoms already present in the nicotine addicted individual.
It is however, known that the vascular-neurological stimulating properties of nicotine does indeed let individuals experience an increase in the mental stimulation and it also bolsters their hand-to-eye coordination.
This is not a lasting effect however, and disappears when the source of nicotine is removed.
A spike or increase in the blood pressure and the heart rate is possibly connected to the "high" that smoking gives a smoker.
Smoking also probably leads to an increase in the synthesis of fatty acids, different steroids, all kinds of hormones, and many types of neurotransmitters within the body.
The effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are mimicked by the nicotine, this leads to an improvement in the levels of alertness, in memory, and in the learning capacity of the individual.
Nicotine also stimulates the release of stress hormones nor epinephrine and the brain "happiness" chemicals called endorphins - this may lead to a better balance of the person's moods and possibly lead to an increase in the energy levels as well.
Smoking also increases the release of glycogen by the liver and this release must induce a very satisfying increase in the blood sugar levels of the person.
For the weight conscious, certain benefits may accrue from smoking - as it is supposed to lead to a reduction in the appetite and also blunts the taste of food, smoking a cigarette often staves off hunger.
The average smoker, for this reason weighs six to eight pounds less compared to the average nonsmoker for this reason.
The alkaloid nicotine acts as a mild stimulant on the central nervous system and also stimulates the cardiovascular system strongly at the same time.
Nicotine enters the body and causes blood vessels to constrict, this increases the blood pressure and results in a stimulation of the heart, and the alkaloid also raises the levels of fat in the bloodstream.
The liquid form of nicotine is a lethal and powerful poison; even a single drop of this pure liquid would be lethal if injected into the human body.
However, this compound nicotine is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes and it is not the smoke, that keeps people on cigarettes.
The worst affects of cigarettes however, arise from the smoking itself as the smoke contains a veritable cocktail of chemicals which start to affect the person over the long period of time.
As the person continues to smoke, the early and initial irritating symptoms caused by nicotine slowly progressed to more chronic irritations and symptoms.
The person continues to smoke only because by this time, he or she has unfortunately developed physiological and psychological dependence for nicotine.
As an indication of how hard it is to quit smoking, many individuals who were addicted to heroine and other powerful medications have usually pointed out that nicotine is the hardest drug to quit - this has a lot of truth in it.
The chemical cocktail present in cigarette smoke is a toxic combination of many lethal gases such as the poisonous carbon monoxide, the toxic gas hydrogen cyanide, and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur along with tars.
Among the four thousand or so estimated chemicals are found phenols and acetone and other compounds as well.
The manufacturing process is actually responsible for the introduction of some of these chemical agents in the tobacco present in the cigarette or the cigar.
The curing process of tobacco had been carried out in a natural way - usually it was grown and then dried for the past so many centuries it has been smoked.
The negative effects of smoking have really started to zoom up since the last century, when a lot of chemicals found their way into the tobacco via the modern manufacturing and curing processes.
The use of natural cured tobacco has a much lesser chance of causing cancer and other cardiovascular diseases than the use of processed tobacco according to recent research done on tobacco use and its implication for health.
The chemicals present in many of the pesticides that are used during the cultivation of tobacco plants and the chemicals added to the tobacco for a better burning rate or a different taste are some of the many dangers inherent in the modern day processed tobacco found in cigarettes.
The increase in the toxicity of modern cured tobacco is also related to sugar curing and rapid flue drying that occurs during the manufacturing processes.
During the manufacturing process, yet another toxic hydrocarbon is loaded into the tobacco when the kerosene used in the heat drying seeps into the tobacco.
The risks from cigarette smoking can be appreciably reduced if natural tobacco is used in the cigarette.
An indication of chemical treatment can be roughly measured in a cigarette, if it does not go out when it is left for sometime on the ashtray.
Heavy metals such as cadmium are the other toxic compounds found in cigarettes - this metal can affect the functioning of the kidneys, the arteries, and lead to a rise in the blood pressure of the person.
Other heavy metals such as lead, the poisonous metal arsenic and cyanide, along with nickel are also found in cigarette smoke.
Also present is the chemical known as Dioxin, which is the most toxic pesticide chemical known at present - tobacco in cigarettes is known to contain this chemical along with another pesticide called acetonitrile.
The carcinogenic nitrosamines form in the body tissues as a result of the entry of so many nitrogen gases and nitrous compounds.
Compounds called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are also found in the tar present in the smoke, these are carcinogenic substances which will bind to the DNA at the cellular level and bring damage to the tissues.
The use of supplements such as the vitamin C, in the form of a combined antioxidant therapy along with other nutrients will help protect the person against the worst effects of PAH and nitrosamines present in the smoke.
Cigarette smoke also contains some types of radioactive materials, the most common and prominent being the element polonium-radioactive substances can turn into serious health issues for the smoker.
Indeed, according to several medical authorities, the greatest source of radiation seem to arise from cigarettes, radioactive substance are a very strong aging factor and induce early aging in the individual.
The radioactive exposure to radiation of a typical smoker smoking about one and a half packs may equal to 300 chest x-rays taken every year.
Another chemical called acetaldehyde, which is taken in with the smoke, can also bring on rapid aging-this compound in particular affects the skin of the person.
The chemical affects the cross linking bonds in the tissues-these bonds are what hold tissues together at the organ level.
Many levels of addiction and different forms of addiction exist for any given individual. Social smokers are among the least addicted smoke as they only tend to smoke socially at parties or get together with their friends.
Such smokers also tend to smoke only at certain times of the day or week and not every day - thus this group of smokers is at the least risk of being affected by the cigarette smoke.
Those who smoke to allay stress and anxiety are the next group of smokers, such individual may smoke at work, this group of smokers also includes individual who may quit for sometime and then have started again periodically over a period of years.
The smokers in both these two groups of smokers will typically find it easier to cut down on their consumption of cigarettes or quit smoking altogether.
A strong physical and psychological addiction or dependence of nicotine develops only in those smokers who smoke all their waking hours smokers - this last group of smokers will typically have a very hard time quitting the habit.
Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, or a persistent headache quickly beings to affect such individual if they go even an hour without smoking.
The physical symptoms are much less intense than the psychological factors in most cases-psychological dependence in the most problematic aspect of nicotine addiction.
A strong addiction to smoking can be inferred in an individual if he or she smokes two or more packs every day.
For any successful departure from the habit, the person will most likely require both medical and psychological support over a long period of time.
There is no such thing as a safe cigarette - whatever the current marketing hype about low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes suggest is largely unfounded-milder cigarettes are not necessarily safer.
Indeed, the effects of some of the newer "lights" may probably be worse in the long term than the effects of regular cigarettes.
Normally the smokers of such lighter cigarettes inhale deeper and smoke more frequently to satisfy the need for nicotine, this balances everything out.
In addition, many of these low-nicotine cigarettes, contain more carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and nitrogen gases.
These brings about an increase in the oxygen deficit, results in problems such as heart disease, and the lung damage associated with long term smoking.
The best deal for smokers is a high-nicotine, low-tar containing cigarette - this will contain the same amount of nicotine and the smoker will only smoke from time to time.
Getting nicotine to the body without the need for smoking is an even better idea.
This is followed in the use of nicotine gum which is an effective aid to smokers wanting to quit, in addition, to gum, the use of nicotine skin patches is also undertaken in smoking-cessation programs.
Smokeless tobacco is another option traditionally used by nicotine addicts who do not have the time to smoke.
While some long term dangers exist with these options, they are on the whole much better then smoking a cigarette or cigar.
The good thing about this option is that the smoke and smoke borne chemicals which are the secondary effects of cigarettes is eliminated and with it much of the dangers associated with cigarette smoking.
There are three distinct and primary degenerative-disease producing effects associated with the use of cigarettes and these risks are:
The issue of secondary smoke or second hand smoke has turned into a human rights issue within the last decade-with non smokers alleging it is a violation of their right to clean air.
If it is continuously breathed in, people exposed to second hand smoke have reason for worry, as it is non filtered smoke - it is thus possibly more dangerous than directly smoking itself.
The majority of the sixteen or so known poisons given off by burning cigarettes are known to be carcinogens or have the possibility of acting as carcinogenic compounds.
The smoke that is released into the room contains a higher concentration of the toxic compounds such as the ammonia, the formaldehyde and acetaldehydes, the formic acid, the phenols, the hydrogen sulfides and the acetonitrile, and the methyl chloride.
Much of these gases are filtered by the filter on the smoker and they tend to be present in greater amounts in the second hand smoke.
Passive and involuntary smokers inhale this smoke-if this is carried on for a long period of time, than they may be affected by the same dangers the smoker is exposed to.
Indeed, the smoke inhaled by passive smokers contains carbon monoxide levels which are fifty percent higher than even the smoker himself and the amounts inhaled may often exceed the amount breathed in by smokers who inhale lightly.
The removal of toxins from the air can be done through a good air filter. The use of such as filter is an important preventative measure - easily able to remove toxins from the immediate environment.
People exposed to smoke can be protected internally by using a basic multiple vitamin-mineral and antioxidant supplemental formula.
Complete cessation is the only real effective measure in any support program for smokers - this must be accompanied by working to regain health and body functions.
Some of the effects of smoking can be put off by consuming a wholesome diet along with nutritional supplements used on a regular basis.
Immunity from the effects of smoking is not guaranteed by even the best and thorough programs - no matter how long it is carried out.
The habit of smoking is rendered doubly destructive by the tendency of smokers to practice a very poor dietary habit on a day to day basis.
Compared to people who do not smoke, the majority of smokers have a greater tendency to consume more meats, fat and fried foods, and products such as refined or processed meals.
The support program for smokers must be accompanied by the consumption of a new diet which has an abundance of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains.
These foods are good sources for many of the protective antioxidant nutrients like the beta-carotene, the vitamins A, C, and E, and the mineral selenium.
The diet must also include a lot of raw seeds and nuts, all kinds of legumes and sprouts, and some types of proteins in sufficient amounts.
Smoking causes dryness and the consumption of large amounts of water is essential in order to balance out the drying effects that long term smoking has on the body.
The dehydrating effect of the compound caffeine also increases the body's requirement for water - so, smokers must quit coffee as well during this time period.
The best option is to drink at least two to three quarts of liquid every day - the amount of fluids consumed must also be in line with the consumption of high-water-content fruits and vegetables, the green salads, and soups consumed at mealtimes.
Bowel function is maintained by consuming a diet high in fiber - this helps in the detoxification of the body.
For smokers an optimal nutritional strategy is to increase the amounts of wholesome foods.
All fruits and vegetables, and whole grains in the daily diet, accompanied by a progressive decrease in the consumed fats, and cured or pickled products, all food additives, and lastly alcoholic beverages.
There is a reduction in the cravings for nicotine and the interest in smoking will gradually dissipate with the increase in blood and tissue alkalinity that result from the long term use of this dietary regimen.
While generally preferable to an acidic diet, the long term or life long consumption of an alkaline diet is not necessarily the best option.
An alkaline diet is suggested for individuals only during the worst aspects of the withdrawal symptoms, when a vegetarian or raw food diet may help in sufficiently reducing the craving for nicotine.
Such diets can be followed for the three to six weeks in order to aid in the detoxification process that the person is undergoing when he or she quits smoking.
The elimination of the habit of smoking has also been carried out by certain smokers through processes like long term fasting. Though somewhat intense in its effects, this dietary fast is a means of rapid transition from a habit of nicotine dependence.
When carried out under medical supervision, a juice fast might be ideal for very determined individuals and in those smokers who are overweight or are very tense at most times.
Energy levels are high and the intestines are cleansed through the diet used during detoxification-this diet is low in fat and high in fiber, helping the body to adjust rapidly to the reduced nicotine levels.
Both of these results are easily achieved through the consumption of large amounts of raw fruits and vegetables.
A daily intake of several salads made from leafy greens is used during the diet; this is followed by the consumption of some fruits and vegetable, along with nuts or seed snacks and condiments.
The diet is also bolstered by the inclusion of some of the high-protein algae such as the spirulina, the blue-green algae, or chlorella-these help with the withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process.
Another important and vital part of a smokers support program is the consumption of a general or "multiple" vitamin formula along with additional antioxidant nutrient compounds.
Free radical production during the detoxification program is reduced by these antioxidants, these compounds also aids in reducing the toxicity of the smoke for primary and secondary smokers - smokers will report much lesser irritation from the smoke when using these compounds.
Cellular membranes are stabilized by the vitamin E, this vitamin protects them and rids the tissue membranes from the attacks of free radical and other chemical irritations arising from the compounds present in the smoke.
The carcinogenic potential of the smoke is reduced by the mineral selenium, when it is taken in as sodium selenite or in the form known as selenomethionine; this compound also supports vitamin E within the body.
The sensitivity of the body to the metal cadmium is also lessened by the compound selenium. The risk of cancer is also reduced by supplements of the vitamin A and this supplement also supports tissue health in the internal organs.
In addition, supplements of the beta-carotene may possibly protect the person against lung cancer when used in conjunction with the other antioxidant supplemental compounds.
To neutralize the toxins in the smoke, all smokers need regular supplements of the vitamin C; the intake of this vitamin must also be increased to compensate for the reduced absorption of the vitamin from the diet.
There is a reduction in cadmium toxicity and absorption rates if some extra zinc is taken, this metal similar to the actions of the vitamin A, will help in protecting the tissues and mucous membranes from chemical damage.
High levels of the metal zinc taken as a supplement must be accompanied by copper - since high levels of zinc will often deplete the store of copper within the body.
The supplements of the compound L-cysteine used in conjunction with the compound thiamine and the vitamin C will help in protecting the lungs from acetaldehyde which is produced in the body from exposure to smoke.
The supplements of this compound also help in reducing smoker's cough in the person.
The compound known as glutathione, which is formed from L-cysteine, is present naturally in the body as an intrinsic part of the protective antioxidant enzyme system.
The importance of eating habits cannot be overemphasized to prevent obesity during the period of the program and following the cessation of the smoking habit.
It is quite normal to eat more when not smoking; this is because smoking has an ability to reduce appetites and leads to an increase in the metabolic processes within the body.
The trick is to substitute the habit of smoking with a lot of physical exercises and new activities. Smokers have also been shown by research to crave and eat much less of sweets compared to non-smokers.
As the smoker quits smoking, this dietary preference undergoes a change, with the cessation of smoking - all the taste buds become sharp and the person may start consuming a lot of sweets.
This is the reason, that as soon as they quit the habit, over half of all smokers gain weight, this gain in weight is even more common in the heavy smokers-those who consume several packs a day.
As soon as one stops smoking, he or she must be on a diet to maintain weight, especially if any weight gain is undesirable.
The majority of smokers are underweight and may need to gain weight, and the sudden increase in weight is not necessarily negative.
Weight can be maintained well by consuming a diet which is alkaline, is high in fiber content, and low in fat.
When taken before mealtimes, the use of another amino acid, known as L-phenylalanine, can also lead to a reduction in the appetite of the person.
Something to be considered while using this compound is its small propensity in raising the blood pressure of the individual.
What will really determine the ease of cessation is the level of nicotine addiction-this is based on the daily intake of cigarettes and the total number of years spent smoking, people who have smoked for a long period of time may find it harder to quit the habit.
Thus, as a rule of thumb - quitting smoking can be much harder for smokers who light up, first thing in the morning or those who have smoked more than two packs a day for a long time.
