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