BEAUTY and THE BEAST

Here's What Smoking Does to Women

Smoking impacts appearance	Bags under your eyes	Psoriasis	Icky teeth
Premature aging and wrinkles	Yellow fingers	Thinner hair	Scarring
Tooth loss - Black Lips	Natural glow is gone	Wound healing	Warts
Skin cancer	Stretch marks	Flabby tummy	Cataracts

Many years of research by reputable medical bodies has shown that:

* nicotine is more addictive for women
* women who smoke have twice the additional risk of heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer
* lung cancer kills three times the number of American women than breast cancer
* smoking is linked to early menopause
* the aging effect of smoking on the skin is worse for women

 

Smoking cigarettes accelerates the aging process. And this is proven!

 

According to the American Heart Association, smoking accounts for more than 400,000 deaths annually and is the most preventable cause of death for Americans. Those who have conquered the smoking addiction may not just want to prevent future health problems caused by smoking, but may also want to undo the damage already done. Although some damage caused by smoking is permanent, you can do things to improve your overall health while boosting your appearance and increasing your level of fitness.

* 1. Eat a balanced diet loaded with a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eat dairy products and meat in moderation. Consume foods high in saturated and trans fats such as those found in fast food and processed foods rarely. Increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet. According to MedlinePlus, consuming a diet high in antioxidants may protect your body cells against the effects and damages of free radicals produced from tobacco smoke. Foods that contain antioxidants include fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains and nuts.

* 2. Drink at least eight to nine glasses of water per day to flush smoking-related toxins and free radicals produced from tobacco smoke out of your body. Water is an essential element necessary for all body processes. Water flushes vital organs of toxins, transports nutrients to body cells and creates a moist environment for tissues in the ear, nose and throat. Water also provides hydration for skin.

* 3. Create an exercise routine that lasts 30 to 60 minutes a day for at least three to five days a week. Exercise may be the most important tool for undoing the damage from smoking. The American Cancer Society suggests walking as an exercise to prevent smoking relapses and to reverse the damages caused from smoking. Exercises such as walking improve the transportation of nutrient and oxygen saturated blood to all areas of the body as well as cardiovascular and lung functions. Regular exercise also improves depression symptoms and boosts skin tone.

* 4. Restrict smoking around you at all times, including in your home or vehicle. According to the American Heart Association, secondhand smoke is responsible for between 20,000 to 69,000 deaths annually. Secondhand smoke can cause the same amount of damage to your body as that of first-hand smoking.

* 5. Create a plan to prevent smoking relapses. Work with a counselor to reduce smoking urges or attend nicotine support groups in your area. The simple act of remaining smoke-free will allow your body to heal greatly and begin reversing the damage of smoking. According to the American Cancer Society after just 12 hours of being smoke-free the carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal, and after one year of being nicotine-free, your risk of coronary heart disease is reduced by half in comparison to smokers.

 

IF YOU QUIT SMOKING RIGHT NOW:

* In 20 minutes:

Your blood pressure and heart rate will return to normal. This immediately lowers your risk of having a heart attack. Your circulation will also improve, bringing fresh blood to your fingers and toes, so they may start to tingle.

* In eight hours:

The nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood reduce by half. Carbon monoxide is the same fume pumped out by a car exhaust! In high doses it can be fatal, but at low levels - such as those found in cigarettes - it causes shortness of breath and increased heart rate. Your oxygen levels will also have returned to normal, helping replenish dried-out skin and hair caused by smoking.

* In 24 hours:

Carbon monoxide will be completely eliminated from your body and your lungs will start to clear out excess mucus and any other smoking 'debris'. You may notice you have a cough or sore throat as new lung tissue starts to grow.

* In 48 hours:

There is no nicotine left in your system and your sense of taste and smell will also greatly improve. One side-effect you may experience within the first 48 hours is light-headedness as the carbon monoxide leaves your system. But your pockets should feel heavier as you begin to save the money you would have spent on cigarettes!

* In three days:

Your breathing will become easier as the bronchial tubes in your lungs begin to relax. Your concentration may be starting to waver as the withdrawal symptoms from the nicotine kick in, but your energy levels will start to increase, giving you a boost.

* In two to 12 weeks:

You may find that you are getting more irritable, restless and depressed around this time as part of the withdrawal process. Up to 60 per cent of quitters said they suffered from these side-effects within four weeks of giving up smoking. Your craving to have another cigarette will be particularly strong at this point, but don't give in. By now your circulation has already greatly improved, boosting the nutrients being delivered to your skin which helps to beat wrinkles.

* Within three to nine months:

Your lung function will improve by up to 10 per cent as new cells lining the lungs develop. This will help any coughs, wheezes and breathing problems you had whilst smoking.

Around this time you may also notice that your appetite increases - 70 per cent of quitters say theirs did. This is one of the major reasons people are reluctant to quit - they are worried about putting on weight.

This weight accumulates without quitters taking any steps to beat the extra pounds, such as watching what they eat or taking up any exercise. Gaining a little weight 'presents a minor health risk when compared to the risk of continued smoking' . In the long-term, studies have shown your weight will return to the level it would have been if you had never started smoking.

* In one year:

Your risk of having a heart attack falls to roughly half that of someone who is still smoking. The stroke risk caused by lack of oxygen and narrowed blood vessels in the brain will drop to that of a non-smoker five years after you quit.

* In 10 years:

Your risk of developing lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. The pre-cancerous cells in your body caused by smoking are also replaced by new, healthy cells.

* In 15 years:

Your risk of having a heart attack returns to the same level as someone who has never smoked. Your skin should also have completely recovered from the damage associated with smoking.