Cigarette smoke is a mixture of gases and minute droplets of tar.  Nearly 1000 substances are identified in tobacco smoke so far.  These substances include nicotine, carbon monoxide, the toxic heavy metal cadmium, carcinogens, and traces of certain gases with unknown effect. Nicotine is known to be a stimulant, yet it acts as a depressant in large doses.  While smokers claim that smoking relaxes them, nicotine makes the heart pump faster and work harder, causing palpitations and increasing the likelihood of heart disease.  It also creates a generalized feeling of anxiety.  Carbon monoxide combines with the body’s hemoglobin and prevents oxygen from being transported throughout the body.  Carbon monoxide also allows cholesterol deposits to develop on artery walls.  Both of these factors increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Studies indicate that females who smoke reach menopause too early, have a greater risk of osteoporosis, and have an increased risk of cancer of the lung, cervix, and uterus.  Women who smoke are also less fertile and have more difficulties with their pregnancies. They have more spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and premature deliveries.  Their babies are smaller and at much higher risk than the babies of nonsmokers.

Research on addiction indicates that nicotine works much like heroin, cocaine, and alcohol.  In fact, when nicotine was intravenously administered to volunteers many of them could not tell the difference between the effects of nicotine and cocaine.  Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms usually occur when smokers refrain from smoking.  Typically, they feel irritable, depressed, and anxious, and experience a productive cough, stomach cramps, and headaches.  However, these symptoms are transitory and usually last no longer than a few weeks.

1.                  A proper diet is helpful.  Consume more vegetables that have natural anti-cancer chemicals such as asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, sweet potatoes, and turnips.

2.                  Increase your intake of anions.  Nicotine is a strong anion (negatively charged molecule). Increased body levels of anions can partially neutralize nicotine cravings.  Anions can be obtained from an Anionic Surfactant Powder, which is primarily potassium citrate.  Dissolved in one quart of water, it makes a concentrate.  Add one tablespoon of concentrate to one pint of distilled or reverse osmosis water and consume before each meal.  If nicotine cravings should recur, drink an additional glass of lemon water.  Squeeze the fresh juice of one lemon into a gallon of water.

3.                  Increase your alkalinity.  A bicarbonate powder can be made by a compound pharmacy from sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium minerals.  Mix one tsp. of powder in four ounces of water and drink each morning upon awakening and in the evening before retiring to bed.  This helps to neutralize the acids accumulated from smoking.  It also provides the base for the liver to make the enzymes used for detoxification.

4.                  The urge to smoke lasts only from three to five minutes.  Although it is difficult, wait it out.  It will get easier and easier.  However, do not just sit and do nothing while you are having the craving.  Take a walk or do some sit-ups--anything to take your mind off the cigarettes.

5.                  Avoid stress as much as possible.  (See “Stress.”)  Relaxation with cognitive biofeedback may prove beneficial in managing your conscious stress levels.  Heart rate variability testing, which assists in evaluating your Autonomic Nervous System functioning, can assess your subconscious state of health.  This, in turn can be treated with what is called “natural” or non-  cognitive biofeedback (i.e., recycling of heart rate variations).

6.                  Check your body burden of heavy metals. The tissue level of cadmium is often higher in cigarette smokers.  Heat generated by the cigarette also increases release of mercury and other compounds from amalgam fillings.  These heavy metals can accumulate in the body, resulting in poor circulation and decreased oxygen supply to the brain.  Heavy metals can be safely extracted with strong anionic compounds referred to as “chelating agents.” (See “Chelation Therapy.”)

7.                  Check your hormone levels of DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen.  As the body ages, hormone levels decrease and degenerative diseases of the body increase.  Smoking can accelerate this by stimulating cortisol production in the adrenal glands, which stimulates estrogen production.  In excessive amounts, estrogen has destructive effects of its own.  Supplementing with natural hormone supplements, such as DHEA, Pregnenolone, and Progesterone, made from plants, is one way to counteract the destructive effects of stress caused by smoking.  (See “Hypothyroidism.”)

8.                  Supplements known to be of benefit include vitamins A, C, and E, B-complex, Bioflavonoids, beta-carotene, Coenzyme Q₁₀, the minerals magnesium, selenium, and zinc, and thymus glandular.

9.                  Herbs known to be helpful in reducing bronchial irritation are black radish, chickweed, echinacea tea, eucalyptus, fenugreek, Iceland moss, and lobelia.

10.             Homeopathics recommended include:  Avena Sativa (to reduce nervousness associated with withdrawal), Echinacea (stimulates detox mechanisms), Nux Vomica (to reduce the craving for tobacco), Tabacum (to neutralize abuse of tobacco and improve arterial circulation), and  Valeriana (for its calming influence).

To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to www.NewHopeMedical.org or call NEW HOPE MEDICAL CENTER at (702) 476-0000 (direct line) or toll free (866) HEAL-NOW!