“All scientists agreed that the use of tobacco by adolescents is injurious; parents, teachers and physicians should strive earnestly to warn youths against its use.” Dr. George L. Meylan, Columbia University.

The Core Plan to Prevent Chronic Diseases

Our main goal is to increase the number of Filipinos who are healthy at every stage of life – from conception to resurrection. Our strategy provides evidence – based recommendations fundamental to improving the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society to help achieve these goals. These evidence-based recommendations will reduce the burden of leading causes of preventable death and major illness. Here is the second of seven priority areas:

2 TOBACCO-FREE LIVING

Breaking the Chains of Tobacco Addiction: As a health practitioner, I recall the patients I have cared for when I think about smoking: the man who had a leg amputated, the woman that could not walk few steps without gasping for every single breath that she took. My brother who picked up the habit in high school died at age 41 from cancer. Tobacco is on track to KILL one billion people, smokers and nonsmokers, this century. This year, we have a historic opportunity to change the future. I believe that we can actively work together to make the next generation tobacco-free.

Seven Most Effective and Natural Interventions to Quit Smoking:

(1) Detoxification: Nicotine and other chemicals (2) Foods to help you quit smoking (3) Herbs to overcome cravings and repair the lungs (4) Exercise for tobacco free living (5) Complete hydration (6) Spirituality and smoking (7) Family and community support. Smoking withdrawal symptoms can make the quitting process downright unpleasant. Finding ways to get through this process as painlessly as possible has many quitters looking for a quick fix. But is there really anything you can do to make your body heal faster?

(1) Detoxification: Nicotine and other chemicals

The first three days to a week after quitting can be very difficult. For some, the struggle may last for as long as a couple of months. Usually, the first 12–24 hours are the peak of withdrawal. Cigarette craving is almost always present. Headaches, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, and insomnia are fairly common. Other smoking withdrawal symptoms include muscle aches, sore mouth, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, heart palpitations, depression, and gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, or constipation. Over time, weight gain is not uncommon from an increased appetite and slower metabolism. The very first step of detoxing our body of chemicals and nicotine from cigarettes is to stop smoking cold turkey. According to the American Cancer Society, the detox and recovery process starts after you finish your last cigarette. While nicotine is cleared from your body in about 24 hours, the 7,000 other chemicals found in cigarette smoke can make the detoxification timeline more complicated. Let us focus on the immediate health benefits when we QUIT smoking: 20 minutes after quitting, your blood pressure will drop back down to normal • In 8 hours, the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal • In 48 hours, your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level • In hours, your bronchial tubes will relax and your energy levels will increase • In 2 weeks, your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks • In three to nine months, coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 20% • In 1 year, your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half • In 5 years, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker • In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker • In 15 years, your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

The two most effective smoking cessation detoxification treatments are lymphatic drainage (LD) and the overnight complete digestive cleanse (CDC). All nicotine will have left your body after LD and CDC, while nicotine cravings and addiction will start to dissipate and full health will return over a period of years. Making some changes to your diet and lifestyle assists in making recovery as smooth and quick as possible.

1) Lymphatic Drainage- cleansing the river of life. The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network of organs, ducts and nodes that manage and transport lymph fluid- a clean, colorless fluid containing white blood cells that helps rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. At birth, this fluid circulates as clear as a flowing river. Years of unhealthy diet and lifestyle make the lymph circulation stagnate like a swamp. Toxins from smoking can accumulate and compromise cellular functioning, opening the way to physical ailments. Lymphatic drainage is a non-invasive two and a half hour procedure done by two therapists, nurses and/or doctors. LD increases the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20 times, vastly increasing the system’s ability to remove toxins and infectious materials and strengthening the immune system. Harmful substances from tobacco use and unhealthy diet and lifestyle are removed from the tissues and neutralized in the nodes.

2) Overnight Complete Digestive Cleanse (CDC) jumpstarts cleansing, healing and nourishing the digestive system, another powerful detoxification treatment for quitting smoking. CDC reduces and removes pains from digestive problems; lessens nicotine cravings and other smoking withdrawal symptoms; increases stamina, energy, endurance and quality of life; facilitates weight loss by increasing metabolism; keeps the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small and large intestines functioning optimally; keeps GI bacteria healthy; and reduces water retention and congestion in the body.

Quitting smoking is a major health decision associated with our attitude towards ourselves and our lives. Changing our attitude to prioritize our personal health and the health of those around us will make it easier to quit. My father in law stopped smoking because his father died of lung cancer at age 67.

Meanwhile, here is the Green Secret’s “shot of life,” packed with minerals to support the body during detoxification process. (Make sure to wash all ingredients well before juicing). It is a MUST to use organic ingredients only.

• 1 cup ampalaya leaves

• 2 dayap (juice)

• 1 inch ginger root

Juice all ingredients in your masticating juicer.

Stir and enjoy! Together, let us reclaim our right to health and protect younger generations from losing their lives and future with every puff of smoke. Our body has an amazing ability to heal. Ultimately, the only effective antidote for detoxification is TIME.I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on “Ask Dr. C at www.greensecret.com.ph” Our deepest gratitude to IAJ WELLNESS CORPORATION for making this information public. For more information or questions, email me at [email protected].

Christine E.V. Gonzalez is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and holds PhDs
in holistic nutrition and natural medicine. LLM (MS Environmental Laws & Labor)
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