Many of you have loved ones who smoke and have expressed concern about their health and future.
Smoking was made cool and glamorous by pure propaganda from the original “spin” doctor, Edward Bernays, who was a nephew of Sigmund Freud. He studied the subject of how to influence people in crowds, when their inhibitions were reduced, and behavior altered. He also proposed methods to influence the subconscious mind. Soldiers were given free cigarettes in their packs during World War I. Bernay’s secretary and a couple of other women smoked in public during the famous Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Bernays had them photographed for the newspaper and suddenly it was acceptable for women to smoke. Now lung cancer is the number one cancer for women.
So, here are some tips to pass on to smokers you care about.
Fish oil reduced cravings for nicotine in a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. After one month on high dose fish oil there were fewer cigarette cravings, even when exposed to common triggers. The fish oil contained 2,710 mg EPA and 2,040 DHA. http://www.betternutrition.com/fish-oil-may-help-smokers-quit/
Homeopathic medicine can be used to quit smoking. Lobelia 30c, Tabacum 30c and Carbo Vegetabilis 30c can be taken alternately through the day. All homeopathic medicines must be taken away from any food drink or other things used orally, such as tooth brushing or gum chewing. These remedies are available at Health food stores or online.
Gall bladder/liver cleanses or general detoxes may be effective to help people quit, by reducing general toxicity. The lungs of a smoker are filled with tar. The body seems to crave toxins when it is most toxic.
Balancing blood sugar and improving nutrition may help smokers by reducing cravings. When the body has a drop in energy, it seeks a quick fix. Sugar, alcohol and other drugs are craved more when blood sugar is low or when the diet is low in nutrients. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, protein and good fats will help keep nutrient levels and blood sugar at healthy levels. Supplements can be included, including minerals such as zinc, potassium and iodine.
This is why so many people gain weight when they quit smoking. Addiction is hard to beat completely, so a substitute is often found. Sugar is a common and acceptable substitute for alcohol or cigarettes. So, it is very helpful to do a cleanse and increase nutrition, with fish oil and other supplements. Dr. Royal Lee formulated a supplement called Pneumotrophin, specifically to help heal the damage to the lungs from cigarettes. We use a lot of Pneumotrophin in the practice, because so many viral coughs from recent flu seasons seem to linger. Some of you have used Pneumotrophin for these coughs, as it will often knock out bronchitis or cough from flu more effectively than antibiotics.
Doing a real program, rather than just quitting cold turkey, may be the key to long term non-smoking status. Don’t fall into the Vapor cigarette trap or the marijuana trap. Breathing smoke of any kind into the lungs is a very bad idea, health-wise. There is no smoke that is healthy for lung tissue. Lungs not only allow us to breath oxygen, they also filter the air we breathe, and allow the oxygen to pass into the blood to be carried to all the cells in the body. To function correctly, and prevent cancer and malignancy, the cells must have oxygen. So smoking interferes with a vital function of life and survival.
Take a few deep breaths and notice how you feel. If you have any other tips for quitting smoking, let me know and I will pass them along.