Smoking
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Cigarette smoking is highly addictive and significantly reduces the overall health as it is harmful for nearly every organ in the body and causes many diseases. For example, 80 to 90% of lung cancer is caused by smoking. This habit also causes COPD, inflammation all over the body, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Furthermore, smoking is a major risk factor for the development of tumors throughout the body, including bladder, cervical, colon, kidney, liver, pancreatic, and stomach cancer, as well as certain forms of blood cancer.
On a cellular level, constant exposure to the toxins in tobacco smoke leads to massive oxidative stress. Free radicals attack the cells and promote creeping inflammatory processes (silent inflammation) throughout the entire organism. At the same time, the body consumes increased amounts of vital micronutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, in its defense against these pollutants, which can further weaken the immune system. From the perspective of integrative medicine, when quitting smoking, it is therefore beneficial not only to break the addiction but also to specifically support the body’s regeneration and replenish resulting nutrient deficits at the cellular level.
Dr. med. Karsten Ostermann M.A.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Therefore, quitting smoking lowers your risk for many diseases and adds years to your life. Quitting smoking is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health. Integrative health therapies can help to fight off the addiction of smoking.
Further information
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