Dietary Needs and Smokers Health
People who can’t quit smoking should be aware of their dietary needs. Because smokers often have deficiencies in numerous nutrients, including zinc, calcium, folate, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, lycopene, and essential fatty acids in the omega-3 and omega-6 families.
There are many possible causes for these insufficiencies, including free radicals in cigarette smoke that destroy natural antioxidants. However, for some nutrients the most important single cause might be poor diet (relating to smokers) rather than smoking itself.
The nutrient, beta-carotene, known for supplying vitamin A, should be avoided by smokers, if taken in high doses. According to a recent study a higher rate of lung cancer and heart disease were found in smokers which used beta-carotene.
Researchers enrolled in a study 29,133 Finnish male smokers and examined the effects of vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements on lung cancer rates among them. The results showed that 20 mg of beta-carotene daily for 5 to 8 years increased the risk of lung cancer by 18%.
In addition, in another study where were included 1,862 smokers with heart problems, found that individuals taking either beta-carotene or a beta-carotene/vitamin E combination had significantly increased risk of fatal heart attack compared to those taking placebo.
It is known that one of the first symptoms of heart disease is angina, that’s why researchers analyzed the effects of beta-carotene in people with angina. Results revealed that beta-carotene was associated with a slight increase in angina.
Smokers can keep their health if only will take care of their dietary needs but if they will continue to smoke without a good nutrition then they will have serious health problems.
