Tobacco damage

We all know tobacco is dangerous. Ok…you’re right, let’s say very dangerous. But most of us think that negative health effects may begin within months of cigarette use: they actually begin after minutes. Remember this. Wherefore tobacco contains 7,000 chemicals, not 700 but thousands, including almost every possible chemicals and metals. Do I have to specify I’m talking about immediately poisoning ones? Have you ever heard about lead, formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, arsenic…and on and on. Pick one! You might (wrongly) argue it’s a personal choice, whereas facts are that passive smoking (second-hand but even third-hand smoking) is as damaging as direct smoking.

We also know what the usual damages are, being more or less commented on TV and various newspapers: cancer, asthma, cardiovascular problems, liver and kidney disease (fibrosis of the glomeruli, cancer-inducing of kidney cells, poor function of filtration system), cholesterol (reduction in beneficial HDL levels), diabetes (doubling the risk), obesity, brain and bones damage, eye diseases (related or not to diabetes) atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, intestinal problems (peptic ulcer, gastro reflux disease, inflammatory bowel, diverticulitis, colonic polyps), raised blood pressure, reduced fertility, gum disease, ulcers of the digestive system, etc.

Is it useful to write about all possible damages? You should focus instead on quitting.

All forms of tobacco raise the risk of every known disease. Smoking is to blame for about 90% of lung cancers…90%! Moreover, how many of you are thinking about oxidant stress, related to inflammation and most of all DNA mutations caused by tobacco? Smoking directly stimulates new blood vessel growth to tumours, together with a loss of normal immune surveillance for malignant cells: double win for tumours!

In particular it damages the endothelial cells lining arterial walls, which are extremely sensitive to oxidant stress. Inflammation provoked by tobacco increments swelling that block arteries, also increasing the stickiness of platelets which then augments clot formation, thickening and stiffening of the arteries causing heart attack and strokes.       

How come smokers can’t stop? Because it’s a drug and they’re addicted. Nicotine is the addictive drug that causes “drug addicts” to continue to smoke. They need it to feel normal, to control their mood, to literally get on. How much nicotine a smoker needs determine how much smoke he's likely to inhale, no matter what type of cigarette he smokes. This is a very common mistake: being convinced of smoking light cigarettes. Most of all, other toxic compounds are immediately chemically active as well, profoundly changing the body functions: tobacco contains over 60 known cancer-causing chemicals. In particular: Tar – carbon monoxide – hydrogen cyanide – oxidizing chemicals – metals – radioactive compounds (yes, radioactive). Smoking harms almost every organ in the body and each single illness is more severe and longer-lasting.

My personal hint, should you be a smoker, is to assume massive doses of vitamin C, which is heavily depleted by tobacco. Forget about “pseudo-candies” containing 200/400 mg of ascorbic acid each: I’m talking about 2000/3000 mg per day. Buy it in powder, it’s cheaper and sold everywhere.

Remember the three poisons: sugar, alcohol, tobacco. All equally harmful, although in different ways. And of course, if you don’t think about yourselves, at least worry about second-hand smoking harming your children. As for all the rest, I’m certainly not here to write about moral, social/behavioural habits, character weaknesses or psychological implications. IF you’re strong enough, you’ll quit. IF you’re weak, you’ll blame others.

We are what we drink and eat. Let me also say we are what we breathe.

….Always humble,

Angiolino

(For more health supplements and extras, kindly visit: What do you lack ? )

Macular degeneration

Age related macular degeneration, also known as AMD. It defines the progressive and chronic disease of the macula (the pigmented area near the centre of the retina, at the back of the eye). Comparing the human eye to a camera, the macula would be the most sensitive central area of the film: the disease doesn’t affect the rest of the retina, but the vision will not be clear (anyway the most important central vision would be lost).

The common symptom is a blurred, or dark/distorted area near the centre of vision and can progress slowly or faster, but doesn’t lead to a total blindness. It’s most likely to occur after age 60, sometimes earlier and doesn’t necessarily affects both eyes. Consider that smoking doubles the risk. The macula is the key mechanism of our vision: it’s the part of the eye which allows us to see in detail all the common everyday activity. If it deteriorates, can even lead to the complete loss of central vision: i.d. looking at a person you’ll be able to see laterally but not the face.

This risk can be significantly reduced using three natural supplements: lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. These are the only carotenoids present in the macula in a very high concentration and giving its distinctive yellow colour. All other hundreds different carotenoids are not present. What’s the main function of these carotenoids, besides of course being powerful antioxidants? They are natural sunglasses for the eyes, protecting the macula from the sun. As a highly specific antioxidant supplement, also add astaxanthin.

There are two categories of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry macula (so called because there is no leakage from surrounding blood vessels) affects 90% of people, as it gets thinner and loses elasticity doesn’t transmit anymore images to the brain. In wet macula the new blood vessels under the retina have the tendency to break and leak into the retina AND the macula (in this case there is leakage): scar tissues is then formed and consequent damage of retinal cells.  

Another important benefit of using those three carotenoids is that you simultaneously combat cataracts, a completely different disease caused by the clouding of the lens of the eye. The “early” and “intermediate” stages usually start without symptoms. Besides, not everyone with early AMD will develop late AMD. Earlier it can be detected only with a comprehensive dilated eye exam – visual acuity test – Amsler grid – fluorescent angiogram – optical coherence tomography: you may ask your doctor. However, having late AMD in one eye means you are at increased risk for late AMD in your other eye. Please note the differences between early and late stages.

As for prevention, AMD occurs less often in people who exercise, avoid smoking, protect their eyes from ultraviolet light, eat foods like fish and green leafy vegetables. Consider also fish oil supplement together with vitamin C, vitamin E, copper and zinc. I don’t have to remind you that supplements are not a cure in case of confirmed diseases, nevertheless they’re benefitting enormously. While in case of advanced AMD only injections of specific drugs into the eye remain as a remedy, together with photodynamic therapy and laser surgery.

Risk factors also include: genetics (people with a family history of AMD are at a higher risk) and race (Caucasians are more likely to develop the disease than African-Americans or Hispanics/Latinos).

My personal hint: I STRONGLY recommend eating goji berries.

….Always humble,

Angiolino

(For more health supplements and extras, kindly visit: What do you lack ? )