How Fiber Reduces The Damaging Effects of Second-Hand Smoke

A new study confirms that early life exposure towhen all the extra health are taken into account --
second-hand smoke can produce life-longwon't make you stop smoking, perhaps its
respiratory problems. A study of 35,000 adultharmful effects on your children will. According to
non-smokers in Singapore revealed that thosethe 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 Protectand other lung diseases
However, study participants who reported eating- Children who have asthma and who breathe
more fruit and vegetable fiber as adults seemedsecond-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 morecases every year of infections, such as bronchitis
than 7.5 grams of fiber each day -- roughly theand pneumonia, in infants and children under 18
equivalent of two apples -- had fewer healthmonths of age who breathe second-hand smoke
problems.One of the best routes to quitting smoking is
The Benefitsthrough complete abstinence. This means cold
Researchers theorized that fiber may:turkey and not gradual reduction. But that can be
- Reduce blood glucose concentrationstough for anyone. That's why I recommend using
- Reduce inflammationenergy psychology tools. There are many
- Enhance antioxidant processeseffective strategies out there for working with
But they cautioned that the possible benefits ofaddictions but I find the Emotional Freedom
fiber should be taken as lessening the importanceTechnique (EFT) to be highly effective.
of reducing exposure to environmental tobaccoIt'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
2005has 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 rightSingapore patients was soy, a problematic and
foods are far more important to your health thanpotentially dangerous "food" if there ever was
smoking. In fact eating onefrench fry is moreone. 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 bythousands of studies have linked them to a host
stopping smoking and ignoring their food choicesof problems, including malnutrition, cognitive decline
thinking they were doing a good thing for theirand infertility.
health.Fermented, unprocessed soy products like natto,
Don't get me wrong, I don't believe anyone shouldmiso, and tempeh, however, are far healthier for
smoke but one needs to have a wholisticyou, as the fermentation process aids in liberating
perspective on health if you are going to achieveotherwise difficult to digest nutrients in the
it.soybean, making them more available for
But getting back to smoking, if the true cost of aabsorption.
pack of cigarettes -- estimated to be nearly $40