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With Christmas excesses behind us, many people's thoughts
turn to New Year's resolutions. And as over 80% of smokers
claim that they want to stop smoking, this is likely to be a major
goal for many.
A flood of post-Christmas credit card bills may need urgent
spending cuts and what better to slash from the budget than
smoking?
Even if your budget can stand the smoking, your health won't -
in the long term. So consider these major reasons to quit smoking.
If you're surprised to see smoking discussed in a nutrition
publication, read this month's Health Topic to learn more about
the alarming consequences of smoking!
When YOU, or a family member, decide to take action to quit
smoking, help is at hand. A Reach
Your Personal Peak Health
Profile can help you quit smoking - and, as you'll find out, the
benefits start within days.
- Wake up feeling completely refreshed and energized...
- Regain lost energy, libido, sleep and mental clarity...
- Decrease your risk of serious health problems...
IN
THIS ISSUE:
- HEALTH TOPIC: Smoking
- MIRACLE FOOD: Oily fish
- IN THE NEWS: Heart disease
- WHAT ABOUT VITAMINS? Vitamin
B3
- CLOSING THOUGHT
CONTRIBUTORS:
Lynette Ellison
Editor: Joy Healey
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1. HEALTH TOPIC: Smoking
It's not just your heart and lungs (and pocket) that suffer when
you smoke. Smoking has a detrimental effect on nutrition.
Smokers
tend to have low blood sugar from abusing their liver
with stimulants (sugar and alcohol as well as nicotine).
Symptoms of low blood sugar can include cravings that you'll
find hard to overcome. But don't worry. One of the most
common syndromes we treat is poor blood sugar control - we
have lots of tips to help you banish those cravings.
Work with a Nutritionist to detoxify and cleanse your body as
you stop smoking. We can help you balance blood sugar levels
and replenish all those depleted nutrients with a personalised
diet and supplement program.
Successful cessation of cigarette smoking requires intelligent
planning. At YNWs we have a tried and tested quit-smoking
programme that even takes into account the emotional
problems you're likely to encounter - with plenty of practical
advice to boost your chances of success.
There's no need to be one of the 75% who restart within a year.
Commit to the decision - and let us help you turn your goal into a
triumphant result. Book NOW!"
PS: Don't even THINK of smoking if you and your partner are
preparing to become parents. To find out why, purchase our
extensive ebook "Planning For Successful Fertility", from:
http://www.yesnutritionworks.com/fertility.htm
2.
MIRACLE FOOD: Cinnamon
Oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout, contain
'good' fats that are essential to your health. These essential fats
(EFAs) are so vital for your health that they'll crop up time and
again in our miracle food section.
One of their less well-known roles is in improving the health of
smokers. In his book "Health Defence", Dr Paul Clayton reports
on two studies that have found that eating more oily fish
improves lung function in smokers. A third study found that
smokers who ate a lot of oily fish cut their risk of developing
chronic bronchitis and emphysema by two thirds and one third
respectively.
Because fish oils are easily damaged they must be combined
with an anti-oxidant preparation, particularly for smokers, as
smoking produces high levels of harmful free radicals.
Antioxidants protect against free radicals. Ideal food sources of
antioxidants are brightly coloured fruit and vegetables.
References:
Nagabhushan M. The Toxicologist 10:166, 1990
Gronbaek M et al. BMJ 310:1165-1169, 1995
Renaud S, De Lorgeril M. Lancet 339:1523-1526, 1992
Biobliography:
Health Defence, Dr Paul Clayton. Accelerated Learning Systems, 2001
ISBN: 0-905553-63-2
available from www.yesnutritionworks.com/books.htm
3.
IN THE NEWS: Heart disease
Your heart is under attack from more than just smoking! The
Daily Mail reports that "Folic acid could cut stroke and heart
attack risk by a quarter". It does this by lowering homocysteine
in the blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid shown to be a
cause of heart disease. A major review of almost 100 studies
published in the British Medical Journal in November, found that
folic acid (a B vitamin) could reduce the risk of heart disease by
16%, deep vein thrombosis by 25% and stroke by 24%. Dr.
George Wald, specialist registrar in cardiology at Southampton
General Hospital said "It is a simple, safe and cheap way to
deal with a common problem, and does not have any side-
effects." .
What a surprise.This is what nutritionists have been saying for
years! We also completely agree with Dr Wald's statement that
"You would have to eat tremendous amounts of vegetables to
be able to lower homocysteine levels sufficiently to affect your
heart disease risk" - so the best course of action is to take a
regular supplement .
Your YNWs consultation will recommend suitable levels of
B vitamins, as this depends on your personal profile.
Don't wait to learn how you can Reach Your Personal Peak.
Book NOW!"
4.
WHAT ABOUT VITAMINS? B3
B3 is a member of the B-complex family and is found in two
forms: nicotinic acid (USA: niacin) and the active form
nicotinamide (USA: niacinamide). It may also be known as
vitamin PP (pellagra preventing) because deficiency results in
pellagra - particularly where maize is the staple diet. B3 is an
essential vitamin involved in the digestive processes, converting
fats, protein and glucose to energy. It is crucial in brain function
and a component of the glucose tolerance factor, which helps
stabilize blood sugar levels. It maintains healthy skin, nerves,
tongue and digestive system, and is involved in the synthesis of
sex hormones.
The
major signs of deficiency are the three Ds: dermatitis,
diarrhoea and dementia. Other symptoms include: wrinkles,
poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, irritability,
inflamed mouth or digestive tract and stress. Possible causes of
deficiency may be poor diet, anti-leukaemia drugs or alcohol. Or
a deficiency may develop due to increased demands - such as
pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Noting
the name of the active form, nicotinamide, gives a clue to
one of vitamin B3's therapeutic - uses in tobacco addiction. It
may also be used therapeutically for alcohol addiction or shock,
acne, digestive problems, schizophrenia, arthritis and lowering
blood cholesterol (nicotinic acid only). Some find that a high
dose, taken in the early stages, may ward off migraine.
A
water-soluble vitamin, very little B3 is stored - so regular
intake is essential. Good dietary sources include: Yeast extract,
Brewer's yeast, wheat bran, nuts, pig's liver, chicken, soya flour,
meat, fatty fish, whole grains (especially sprouting), dried fruit,
cheese, eggs, brown rice, cereals, milk. As food sources are
frequently depleted due to processing and poor farming practice,
supplementation may be necessary to obtain an adequate
intake.
Symptoms
of excess intake include heat and flushing of the
face, headache, dry skin, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea,
depression and liver malfunction. High doses should be avoided
during pregnancy and when suffering from gout, liver disease,
glaucoma, diabetes, gastric or duodenal ulcers. Antibiotics, the
contraceptive pill, tea, coffee and heat hinder the use of vitamin
B3. Alcohol destroys B3.
Unless
instructed otherwise by a qualified practitioner, individual
B vitamins should been taken with food alongside a good B-
complex supplement.
Bibliography: Thorsons Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.
Leonard Mervyn. Published by Thorsons, ISBN: 0-7225-2147-2
Have you checked out our news section recently?
http://www.yesnutritionworks.com/news.htm.
You may find a
subject of particular relevance to you or your family.
Thank you to all who sent in questions about health issues that
may be of interest to others. Please keep your questions coming
in. We will be answering some of them in the forthcoming issue
of In The Balance. Send to :
mailto:ClientServices@YesNutritionWorks.com
and mark them for
In the Balance.
5.
CLOSING THOUGHT:
However
much I've enjoyed Christmas, when I pack away the
decorations and get the house 'back to straights' there's always
a sense of relief and cleanness. A fresh start.
It's never too late to make a fresh start - even if you've not
managed to quit smoking before. You know it makes sense, so
why not harness the power of the New Year, and those feelings
of newness, to help you achieve this goal?
Yes, it's tough. But the good news is that, with the right help,
smoking addiction can be overcome.
Health benefits begin almost immediately. In just twenty-four
hours after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and pulse
rate should return to normal, as should the levels of oxygen and
carbon monoxide in your blood. Within a week, your risk of heart
attacks begins to decrease; your sense of smell and taste
improves; and breathing becomes easier.
If you need a better incentive than that, your whole family will
benefit as you reduce the pollution you're inflicting on them!
WATCH POINT:
If
you take any medications, consult with your physician about
the possible need for an adjustment in dosage after you quit
smoking. Tobacco alters the absorption and utilization of many
medications.
Be
assured, you CAN beat the weed and improve your health.
But you need to take that first step....
Don't
wait to learn how you can Reach Your Personal Peak ™
Book NOW!"
to achieve results.
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