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
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareDoes this describe you: You walk into the living room... Read More
Since coral calcium is one of he hottest products on... Read More
Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More
In parts one and two of this series, titled "Take... Read More
Our bodies change as we age, and to remain vigorous,... Read More
The growing numbers of health conscious people today living more... Read More
Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual... Read More
Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Carbohydrate blockers seem to have come and gone with the... Read More
There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
Liquid vitamins are the same vitamins that you find in... Read More
It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More
After nearly 4 years of research and development, Flavonoid Sciences... Read More
Since the 1960???s there have been numerous controlled clinical trials... Read More
When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their... Read More
Vitamins and minerals play a major role in becoming healthy... Read More
Lipovarin ReviewSince the ban on ephedra based products in April... Read More
Finding out a little about amino acid basics enables you... Read More
We all know that vitamin C is one of the... Read More
Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More
Over the last 2 years, the link between weight gain... Read More
1. Do not refrigerate vegetables and fruits (raw and uncut)... Read More
You probably know that ladies who are planning on having... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..Your Immune system Needs BalanceTaking an immune system supplement daily... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the health... Read More
Proper nutrition is fundamental to optimizing your health. By eating... Read More
Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Bodybuilding supplements generally fall under the classification of dietary supplements,... Read More
Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More
Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More
Not many years ago the liquid vitamin supplement was unheard... Read More
At the rate it's going, Saw Palmetto will soon be... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Will common sense ever prevail? We've all seen stories on... Read More
During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More
The initial success of penicillin generated an assumption which has... Read More
Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from... Read More
Protein Supplement ? whey protein.Why is protein supplement important? Protein... Read More
Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola... Read More
It's never too late to change your habits, and if... Read More
Folic acid is actually just one of the many vitamins... Read More
Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up... Read More
Supplementing with relatively small amounts of riboflavin (vitamin B2) may... Read More
A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More
Colloidal Silver might just be a wonderful thing and here's... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |