| A new study confirms that early life exposure to | | | | when all the extra health are taken into account -- |
| second-hand smoke can produce life-long | | | | won't make you stop smoking, perhaps its |
| respiratory problems. A study of 35,000 adult | | | | harmful effects on your children will. According to |
| non-smokers in Singapore revealed that those | | | | the American Lung Association: |
| who lived with smokers during childhood had far | | | | - Children who breathe second-hand smoke are |
| more respiratory illnesses. | | | | more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis |
| Fiber May Protect | | | | and other lung diseases |
| However, study participants who reported eating | | | | - Children who have asthma and who breathe |
| more fruit and vegetable fiber as adults seemed | | | | second-hand smoke have more asthma attacks |
| have acquired some protection against the | | | | - There are an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 |
| negative health effects. Those who ate more | | | | cases every year of infections, such as bronchitis |
| than 7.5 grams of fiber each day -- roughly the | | | | and pneumonia, in infants and children under 18 |
| equivalent of two apples -- had fewer health | | | | months of age who breathe second-hand smoke |
| problems. | | | | One of the best routes to quitting smoking is |
| The Benefits | | | | through complete abstinence. This means cold |
| Researchers theorized that fiber may: | | | | turkey and not gradual reduction. But that can be |
| - Reduce blood glucose concentrations | | | | tough for anyone. That's why I recommend using |
| - Reduce inflammation | | | | energy psychology tools. There are many |
| - Enhance antioxidant processes | | | | effective strategies out there for working with |
| But they cautioned that the possible benefits of | | | | addictions but I find the Emotional Freedom |
| fiber should be taken as lessening the importance | | | | Technique (EFT) to be highly effective. |
| of reducing exposure to environmental tobacco | | | | It's good to know that fiber can also help you if |
| smoke. | | | | you have no choice but to inhale secondhand |
| EurekAlert August 30, 2005Thorax August 30, | | | | smoke from your family or colleagues, just as it |
| 2005 | | | | has many other benefits. One caveat, however: |
| Dr. Mercola's Comment: | | | | One of the main sources of fiber in the diet of |
| Most people know that I view eating the right | | | | Singapore patients was soy, a problematic and |
| foods are far more important to your health than | | | | potentially dangerous "food" if there ever was |
| smoking. In fact eating onefrench fry is more | | | | one. Although processed soy products are |
| dangerous than smoking one cigarette. | | | | consumed by more than 200 million Americans, |
| I have seen many people ruin their health by | | | | thousands of studies have linked them to a host |
| stopping smoking and ignoring their food choices | | | | of problems, including malnutrition, cognitive decline |
| thinking they were doing a good thing for their | | | | and infertility. |
| health. | | | | Fermented, unprocessed soy products like natto, |
| Don't get me wrong, I don't believe anyone should | | | | miso, and tempeh, however, are far healthier for |
| smoke but one needs to have a wholistic | | | | you, as the fermentation process aids in liberating |
| perspective on health if you are going to achieve | | | | otherwise difficult to digest nutrients in the |
| it. | | | | soybean, making them more available for |
| But getting back to smoking, if the true cost of a | | | | absorption. |
| pack of cigarettes -- estimated to be nearly $40 | | | | |