ARTICLE #5

If you are following my articles on Health/Nutrition and Fitness I have been talking about various  foods that we put into our bodies that do us harm. Included in this group has been nicotine and alcohol. They are in a catagory by themselves aside from the foods we have talked about. None the less when they are ingested they do harm to us that cannot be seen  and they need to be discused

In this article my resarch is taken  from *The Cornell Encyclopedia of Health*. Under Nicotine I found a compiled list of at least 29 chemicals found in tobacco smoke, some of which are known cancer causing agents. I for one did not realize that Nicotine had this many chemicals. My eyes have been opened further. I have known for some time that smoking is unhealthy for us and those around us. (Leave me out, I quit a long time ago). Nicotine is the primary ingredient in cigaretts and  is highly addictive. It is also a stimulant and  an appetite suppresant. This is why many smokers who have quit the habit gain weight. This is what makes it so difficult to quit smoking.

I have also known for quit some time that Nicotine is extremely toxic for young children. If you are a smoker and should leave cigarettes laying around and your child puts them in their mouth they stand a good chance of Nicotine poisoning.* Children can pick up loose tobacco, nicotine gum, or get ahold of nicotine patches. All of these are deadly to children. If this should happen call your doctor right away.

If you are a smoker and realize what smoke is doing to your lungs and wish to quit, consult your doctor right away. There are methods to help you kick the habit such as gums, patches, and nasal sprays. Alternative methods are also available, such as, acupuncture and hypnosis. Some smokers have found success with these. I know first hand as friends and relatives have used them with success.

When we introduce Nicotine into our bodies we have a good chance of developing cancers of the mouth, respirator tract, lung and bladder. Heart disease also increases. The risk of health problems increases in people, especially children who breath second hand smoke. We need to keep our children safe, so please practice caution.

We unknowingly ingest enough substances in our body without ingesting a known Carcinogenic substance. If you care about yourself and your children, please give this information your time and consideration and consult with your doctor regarding your options for improvement in Health and Fitness.

Our wish for you is an improved health and fitness life.