| |
| |
|
Supplement Reference Guide |
|
|
|
Vitamins for Smokers
Numerous studies and surveys have consistently shown that a majority of adults frequently eat foods that contain too little vitamin B-6 and vitamin E. We consume far too many calories, and too much total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Women frequently eat too little folic acid, iron, calcium, and zinc. This is why it is so important to take a multi-vitamin daily. The basic nutritional needs of men and women who smoke are similar to those who don't use tobacco. However, conclusive evidence exists that smokers need much more antioxidant nutrients than non-smokers. Essentially, smokers need antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid), and vitamin E. It was once believed that beta-carotene was an attribute for non-smokers, but recent clinical studies have found that beta-carotene can actually be harmful to smokers' health. Beta-carotene can be found in most multi-vitamins and an excess of beta-carotene is risky for good nutritional health. If you are a smoker and going to take a multi-vitamin, be sure it doesn't list beta-carotene as one of the ingredients. Too many smokers have inadequate intakes of antioxidants. Smokers are reported to consume lower quantities of antioxidant nutrients than nonsmokers. Antioxidant nutrients have protective roles with regard to cancer, heart disease, cataract formation, cognitive (mind) dysfunction, and other diseases. Researches believe there is a balance between antioxidant protectors and components that promote oxidation in the body. This balance seems to be related to health or disease. Some components of cigarette smoke promote oxidation that provides high levels of oxidant stress. Free radicals, which also promote oxidation, are derived from tobacco. Cigarette smoke has been estimated to contain 1,000,000,000,000,000 free radicals per inhalation. These free radicals can oxidize the fat components of the body and this is quite harmful. For instance, cigarette smokers have lower vitamin C (natural antioxidant) intakes and plasma vitamin C levels than nonsmokers. The incidence of cancer, heart disease, and cataracts is lower in populations that have high intakes of fruits or leafy green vegetables, all replete with vitamin C. Smokers who ate foods containing more than 200 mg vitamin C daily had serum vitamin C levels equivalent to those of nonsmokers who consumed 60 mg or more of the vitamin, according to a recent national survey. The most recent edition of the Recommended Dietary Allowances recommends that regular cigarette smokers take in at least 100 mg of vitamin C daily. Smokers have been found to have higher levels of vitamin C in the lung tissues than nonsmokers. This clearly reflects a positive defense mechanism against the free radical species from cigarette smoke. Studies have found that smokers have a 30 percent lower vitamin C level than nonsmokers. Researchers believe that nicotine may interfere with vitamin C absorption. Nicotine boosts metabolic rate, therefore increasing the rate that vitamin C is metabolized. Individuals who smoke need 100 milligrams of vitamin C (versus 60 milligrams for nonsmokers) every day. The body's most effective antioxidant is vitamin E. Smokers have been found to have lower levels of plasma vitamin E than nonsmokers. Smokers seeking nutritional supplementation should look for a multi-vitamin that contains at least all of the following: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Niacin, Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Zinc Picolinate, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), and the antioxidant Co-Q10. Some supplements add Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Powder, Inositol, Rutin, Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex, Choline Bitartrate and PABA. If you smoke, or live with someone who smokes, it is important that you make the right choices to safeguard you health against the risks associated with smoking. One of the most important decisions you can make is choosing the right multi-vitamin. It's a fact that smoking depletes the body of important nutrients. It's also a fact that one nutrient, beta-carotene, has been found in clinical studies to adversely effect smokers' health. Beta-carotene, a form of Vitamin A, can be found in most multi-vitamins. Link to: Betacarotene info Information on quitting Information on Quitting and Preventing Smoking from the National Cancer Institute Available Smoker's multi-vitamin products
MORE RESOURCES:
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Beyond Vitamins and Minerals - Glyconutrients It is well known and scientifically proven that vitamins and minerals are essential to our diet to prevent or remedy health problems. One of the most well known examples of this is the disease scurvy, which is prevented and cured by vitamin C. Vitamin E to Protect Against Parkinsons Disease Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect against Parkinson's disease, according to a study in the Lancet Neurology (2005;4:362-5).A chronic, progressive neurological disease, Parkinson's disease is characterized by resting tremors, increasing muscle rigidity, and eventual paralysis. The Need For Supplementation When I began to study nutrition, I too believed that it was possible and even easy to get all the nutrition I needed from diet alone.What I discovered was shocking to me. Vitamin C - The Key to Great Health Vitamin C is important to all animals, including humans, because it is vital to the production of collagen. Vitamin C is also important because it helps protect the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation. Vitamin B6 - What Do We Need It For? Vitamin B6 plays a facilitating role in the immune system and the growth of new cells. It also assists the body in the processing of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. GABA: An Inexpensive, Natural, and Effective Way to Increase HGH Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to 10 years ago. You would look younger, have more energy, and be slimmer. Saw Palmetto At the rate it's going, Saw Palmetto will soon be known as the "Robert DeNiro of supplements."It can play almost any role. The Most Important Supplement You Can Take For Better Health This article will reveal one easy change you can make that will help better your health.. Nutritional Supplements - How To Choose A High Quality Product Looking for quality nutritional supplements can seem quite overwhelming at times, especially if you're just starting out. It is just as important to be sure you're taking high quality supplements as it is to take the right supplements, because there's no point in taking them if they don't work. Vitamins In Our Daily Lives Vitamins is something people been using for a while and it is more common this days. Is it good to use them or not? Many people say it is good since we live in a fast pace world, we live in a hurry and don't have time to site down and relax and have a nice healthy meal, for breakfast maybe a cup of coffee and off to work if you have some time, for lunch fast food convenient, fast, not expensive good right. Supplements - How To Take Them It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find it hard to break down food and absorb nutrients - this can be caused by poor levels of stomach acid, toxic substances in the gut, insufficient production of digestive enzymes among other reasons. This condition can of course be dramatically improved as nutrient intake is increased slowly. Shopping for Supplements -- Living Healthy and Saving Money When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their role in weight loss success, diet gurus and so-called experts have had a lot to say when it comes to nutritional supplements. Usually what they are writing and saying and urging you to do is BUY! BUY! BUY! And what you should be buying is their particular brand of vitamins, minerals, healthy weight loss shakes, etc. Whey Protein - Natures Amazing Muscle Builder Are you concerned about taking care of your body before and after strenuous activities or workouts? Do you try to avoid supplements that contain additives and possible side effects?If you are interested in better health and improved physical fitness you have surely heard that bodybuilders and other athletes are turning to a simple, natural supplement called whey protein.WHY DO ATHLETES USE WHEY PROTEIN?Protein levels are depleted through exercise. Increasing overall Health with Nutritional Supplements "But I eat healthy," you might say. That may be but if you are not supplementing your diet with nutritional supplements then you likely have certain nutritional deficiencies. Omega 3 Fish Oil That Will and Omega 3 Fish Oil That Wont At the moment we are in the grip of an omega 3 fish oil revolution, just this week in the uk another scientific trial using high grade fish oil has been completed and the results have been published. The scientific trail in question was performed in the south east of England on a group of random school children. The Benefits of Whey Protein Drinks Whey proteins drinks, especially shakes, are available in a variety of flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. Whey protein drinks are also available in other flavors such as fruit punch, orange cream and grape. Dietary Supplement Vitamin Dietary Supplement Vitamin - why is it important?Dietary supplement vitamin or vitamins are very important to our health because if we do not intake enough vitamins necessary for our bodies, the dietary supplement vitamin will substitute for the shortage of the amount of vitamins in our system. Still, a good diet based on foods with high concentration of vitamins is always a better solution than supplements. What are Glyconutrients? Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence, a glyconutrient is a biochemical that contains a sugar molecule. Finally - The Truth About Calcium Supplements Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We are bombarded with advertising telling us exactly what will give our body more calcium. Health Benefits of Taking Spirulina Daily - Real Health Part 5 As I mentioned in Part 4 of my Real Health diet series, I believe that taking green foods, particularly spirulina and chlorella, is very important to your health. This article will focus on why you should take spirulina.
|
| home | site map | related links |
| © 2006 |
