Vitamins and Their Affect On Smokers

Smokers face many different health problems. A new study shows that smokers exhaust vitamin E more than nonsmokers and adding vitamin C helps stop vitamin E depletion. It also shows for the first time there is an interaction between these two antioxidants. The study also suggests a way that smoking causes cancer.

Researchers are reporting findings from a double blind clinical study with smokers and nonsmokers using vitamin C. Vitamin A is an important nutrient that is drained more rapidly in smokers. Those who took 1000 mg of vitamin C each day were found to have a significant drop in vitamin E depletion. The study proved that smokers who took the vitamin C supplements showed the about the same antioxidant protections as nonsmokers.

Vitamin E is the first line of defense against cigarette smoke and the damage it causes to the lungs. Cigarette smoke creates free radicals and the depletion of vitamin E. Vitamin C helps vitamin E to return to nonradical form and allows it to continue in its role of protector. Free radicals work to destroy lung membranes, thus causing cancer and cancer damage to the lungs. If the body does not have an adequate supply of vitamin C, the process of keeping free radicals from forming is blocked.

This new study shows there is a definite link between the works of vitamin E and vitamin C in the use by the body. Research in the past was focused on how one vitamin or vitamin shortage can cause destruction in our body. Now we know that beyond a shadow of a doubt that nutrients work together to keep the body healthy and strong. This is a scientific discovery that could have an impact on smokers and nonsmokers alike.

Smokers have more oxidative stress because cigarette smoke is something that creates free radicals and cell mutations. Not only do these free radicals cell mutations and free radicals but also triggers the body’s immune system to cause inflammation. Inflammation is one reason that smokers also have to deal with other serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.

One study was conducted asking participants to reduce fruits and vegetables in their diet. They were then given vitamin C supplements and the rest of the groups were given a placebo. The study proved that smokers who had vitamin C supplements had the same vitamin E disappearance rate that was about the same as a nonsmoker.

Studies show that only around eight percent of men and two and one half percent of women have enough vitamin E coming into their body through food intake. Smokers often have a diet with low amounts of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Over 50 million Americans smoke cigarettes. That is a tremendous amount of free radicals being released into bodies of the general population.

Scientists promote this new study as a confirmation that vitamins have a synergistic affect on the body that will not be gained if one of the vitamins is not being consumed in acceptable levels. These two vitamins working together are important for the smokers of this world.