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Supplements for Cigarette Smokers

Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals, including nicotine. At least 43 of these substances are known to cause cancer in humans. While tobacco has been used as a mood-altering substance for centuries, it is dangerous to your health. Cigarettes are a factor in approximately 17 percent of all U.S. deaths annually, according to the "Prescription for Natural Healing." Because of the detrimental effects of smoking, supplementation with vitamins and herbs can help reduce some of the harmful effects. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

  1. Supplements

    • Although the best way to avoid damage is to stop smoking, the "Prescription for Natural Healing" suggests the following supplements to help alleviate probable smoking-related deficiencies while you work to quit. They can also help if you cannot avoid secondhand smoke. Coenzyme Q10 helps oxygen flow to the brain and protects heart tissue. Oxy-5000 Forte from American Biologics is a powerful antioxidant that destroys free radicals found in smoke. Pycnogenol or grape seed extract protects and repairs the lungs. Vitamin B complex, extra B-12 and folic acid increase energy and are needed for red blood cell formation. Vitamin C protects against cell damage and is drastically depleted by smoking. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant to protect cells and organs from smoke damage. Check with your physician before taking vitamins.

    Herbal Supplements

    • "Prescription for Natural Healing" recommends herbs for certain reasons. Burdock root and red clover fight toxins by cleansing the bloodstream. Cayenne makes respiratory tract cells less sensitize to irritants in smoke. If you are thinking of quitting, the herbs catnip, hops, lobelia, skullcap and valerian root reduce withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Milk thistle and dandelion root protect the liver from toxins. Ginger causes perspiration, through which some of the ingested toxins can be released. Slippery elm relieves coughs and lung congestion. Check with your doctor before taking herbs.

    Other Helpful Nutrition

    • "Prescription for Natural Healing" recommends these foods to nourish the body: asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, sweet potatoes and turnips, most of which are cruciferous vegetables that may protect against cancer. Yellow and deep-orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, squash and yams contain beta-carotene, which helps immunity. Apples, berries, brazil nuts, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, legumes and plums are good sources of antioxidants to fight free radicals in cigarette smoke. Onions and garlic also boost immunity. Fresh carrot juice with its high carotene content may be preventive for lung cancer. Eliminate junk food, processed refined foods, saturated fats, salt, sugar and white flour to reduce your risk of heart disease and obesity.

    Studies

    • UCLA cancer researchers published a study in the journal "Cancer" in 2008 showing smokers who eat three servings of fruits and vegetables per day and drink green or black tea may gain protection against lung cancer. The researchers analyzed the dietary history of 558 people with lung cancer and 837 people without it. The flavonoids in strawberries, green and black tea, brussel sprouts, apples, beans, onions and apples were especially significant. Another study conducted by Bruno et al. from Linus Pauling Institute in 2006 found that adding vitamin C to the diet decreased the disappearance of vitamin E, which is accelerated in cigarette smokers due to increased oxidative stress.

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