Micronutrient therapy
| Smoking increases the oxidative stress load of the body |
| The mutagenic, carcinogenic and degenerative properties of nicotine and cigarette smoke can be partly explained by the increased oxidative stress to which smokers are exposed. Oxidative stress occurs when more free radicals are produced than can be adequately neutralized by the existing antioxidant systems. Numerous epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that free radicals and oxidative stress are an important factor in the development of degenerative diseases. Oxidative processes are particularly responsible for the development of arteriosclerotic processes, cancer, rheumatic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetic angiopathies or cataracts. |
| Increases antioxidants in the diet |
| Smoking is often associated with a reduced vitamin C level, so smokers should pay attention to a regular and sufficiently high intake of vitamin C. Other important antioxidants to compensate for increased oxidative stress are selenium, vitamin E and plant polyphenols. Selenium as a component of glutathione peroxidase is important to antioxidative defense. This enzyme exists in four different isoenzymes that are active in different tissues. These selenium-containing enzymes catalyze the hydrogen transfer of glutathione to free peroxides and thus prevent damage on the subcellular and cellular levels. Due to its antioxidative functions, selenium can provide protection in the early stages of carcinogenesis. The oxidative activation of procarcinogenic compounds can be minimized and DNA changes can be prevented. Epidemiological data and clinical studies indicate that an increase in selenium intake has inhibitory effects in the initial phase of tumorigenic processes. Polyphenols from green tea (EGCG) have strong inhibitory effects on the carcinogenic potential of nicotine and can attenuate inflammatory processes in smoke-induced emphysema. The lung tissue is particularly protected by EGCG supplementation. An intervention study in smokers showed that regular high consumption of green tea leads to a reduction in oxidative damage and provides protection against diseases caused by increased oxidative stress from smoking and nicotine. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), as found in pine bark extract pycnogenol® or in grape seedextract, have a high antioxidative activity against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. In vitro studies show that Pycnogenol® is many times more effective in its antioxidant properties than vitamin C and vitamin E and can also recycle oxidized vitamin C and regenerate vitamin E. |