It's Not Nicotine That Causes Cancer

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by John Bancroft

Busting Myths On STOPPING Smoking

With the current economy, many are finding their tobacco and nicotine habit hard to give up. But it's not easy to quit, especially with so many myths associated with smoking and quitting smoking.

Many smokers believe they are not hooked and think they can stop smoking whenever they want, but after talking with Wichita Falls health experts, we found that is highly unlikely.

"In reality, cigarette nicotine smoking is as addictive as heroin," said Registered Therapist Debra Pardue. She said most smokers are shocked when they learn the ingredients in cigarettes.

Pardue said, "It's not nicotine that causes the cancer it's the nicotine that keeps you addicted.  The other additives are what cause cancers when they are burned."

So some try to stop the urge for nicotine by themselves and get off heavy cigarettes by turning to lights, dip or chew. They believe they'll never be able to quit smoking completely because they fear their urge to smoke that is supported by nicotine craving will never go away. In realty, Pardue says these alternatives are no better and while each individual reacts differently, the chemical withdrawal is only ten to 14 days."You do have to get your mind set that you're going to quit smoking and find reasons to quit. Whether it's health, your pocket book, whatever reason you have to prepare," said American Cancer Society Community Organizer Candy Kennedy.

For those afraid they'll gain weight if they stop smoking, experts said that only happens because many fill the void with food. "Normally it's going to be snack foods, high in fat and something to occupy hands for daily craving from cigarettes," Kennedy said. Pardue said, "You're only going to gain an average of five to seven pounds and if you weigh the detrimental side effects to that five to seven pounds against the benefits of quitting, it's no comparison."

According to the American Cancer Society within 20 minutes of that last cigarette, a person's blood pressure and pulse drop to normal. So, even if you've been smoking most of your life,

Pardue said it's never too late to give up the smoking habit. If not for you, then for those around you."The way we live our lives has a direct effect on our kids and grandkids so we need to set an example for them," Pardue said. Both Kennedy and Pardue say it's easier to quit smoking if you have a support group, whether it be a friend, co-worker or spouse.

 

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Cut Down Smoking and Lower Insulin Resistance

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 by John Bancroft

Researchers have discovered another consequence of smoking. Another danger of smoking reason why smoking demonstates that nicotine smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. According to a mouse study, nicotine smoking promotes insulin resistance, also called pre diabetes, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

People with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range have pre diabetes. Insulin resistance and pre diabetes usually have no symptoms and a person could have one or both conditions for several years without noticing anything.

The study results could explain yet another consequence of smoking and why cigarette smokers have a high cardiovascular death rate, even though “smoking causes weight loss, which should protect against heart disease,” said the study’s lead author, Theodore Friedman.

Pre diabetes and diabetes are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Past studies show that cigarette smokers tend to be insulin resistant, meaning that their hormone insulin does not work properly. To compensate, their blood glucose (sugar) levels become higher than normal but not yet high enough for diabetes. Smokers also have higher rates of diabetes, but it is not clear whether smoking is the cause, because they could have other risk factors, Friedman explained.

Some studies demonstrate that cigarette and nicotine smoking induce high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. “As cortisol excess is known to induce insulin resistance, it has been suggested that glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are the missing [causative] link between cigarette smoking and insulin resistance,” Friedman said.

The study results suggest this theory is correct, he said. The researchers studied the effects, on 24 adult mice, of twice-daily injections of nicotine for 2 weeks. The mice ate less food than control mice that received injections without nicotine, and they also lost weight and had less fat. Despite this, the mice receiving nicotine developed pre diabetes (insulin resistance). These mice also had high cortisol levels in their blood and tissues.

Nicotine replacement therapies therefore is not an acceptable product to quit smoking for diabetics.

Diabetics should seek natural alternatives to nicotine gum to help reduce their sensitivity to insulin.


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Judge to Rule on FDA Oversight of e-Cigarettes

Monday, October 26, 2009 by John Bancroft

Judge to Rule on FDA Oversight of e-Cigarettes

 

A federal judge may soon decide whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate electronic (e-) cigarettes as drug-delivery devices and nicotine delivery systems, the Christian Science Monitor reported Oct. 17.

The case challenging FDA authority over e-cigarettes was filed in Washington, D.C., in February, and a ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon on the case is expected soon. Electronic cigarettes have nicotine side effects and do not eliminate the danger of smoking since they still contain nicotine.

The battery-powered devices provide a smokeless dose of nicotine to users and contain no tobacco. FDA officials contends that e-cigarettes are drug-delivery devices similar to nicotine gum, but the industry says they are merely alternatives to tobacco smoking and contribute to nicotine smoking.

Some health experts see the products as a safer choice than social smoking smoking, while others point to a risk of nicotime addiction. An FDA spokesperson said the agency has done preliminary research on e-cigarettes and their marketing. "What we are saying is for them to be sold, you should be able to evaluate how safe and effective they are -- especially if they are a stop smoking replacement used over several years, perhaps a lifetime," said the FDA's Siobhan DeLancey.

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