After realizing the negative effects smoking does to your health – to your lungs in particular and pushing yourself to finally quit smoking, the next step is to make sure that you also take good care of your lungs. It is important to repair the damages that smoking caused and make sure to take good care of it from this point on. Regardless of how small or big the damage is, your lungs still need to recover from smoking. And if you haven’t started taking off the habit from your system, perhaps it’s time to quit smoking now. Here are some vitamins and tips to help you, although no amount of vitamins can substitute stopping smoking. It is still best to quit smoking today.
Vitamin D
Protect your lungs from the damages of smoking by taking vitamin D. Although vitamin D may not be a cure to prevent dysfunction of the lungs and problems related to smoking, such as cancer, stroke and heart-disease, its anti oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may still provide your lungs some protection against the effects of smoking.
Sources of Vitamin D
Salmon
Mackerel
Tuna
Liver
Beef
Cheese
Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
Vitamin E
Research shows that Vitamin E plays an important role in helping the body cells to communicate with each other effectively. It was also found to help reduce the risk of smoking-related tumors and less damage and/or DNA and cell death, based on a study in 2008 in Biomed Central Cancer.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that decreases the amount of lung inflammation, helps in repairing damaged tissue and boosts the immune system function. It can also play a big role in treating inflamed lungs.
Sources of Vitamin E
Sunflower Seeds
Carrots
Almonds
Spinach
Kiwi
Broccoli
Vegetable and Seed/Nut Oils
Peanuts
Apples
Soybean
Vitamin A
Vitamin A lessens your risk of lung infection development (tuberculosis and pneumonia). It is a fat soluble vitamin that helps in protecting the lining of your lungs from damage. It also helps in strengthening your immune system.
Sources of Vitamin A
Squash
Spinach
Eggs
Milk
Pumpkin
Parsley
Bananas
Carrots
Blueberries
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant which helps decrease the inflammation of lungs and speeds up the healing process of the damaged lungs. It helps in the improvement of the immune system, and helps prevent damages to lungs caused by different pollutants just like cigarette smoke which causes the oxidative damage of lung tissue.
Sources of Vitamin C
Grapefruit
Oranges
Strawberries
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Spinach
Mangoes
Cranberries
B Vitamin
Researchers claim that those with higher levels of Vitamin B6 and methionine circulating in their blood seemed to be lung cancer-protected. Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin responsible for the proper maintenance of red blood cell metabolism, the immune system, nervous system and many other functions of the body. For people who have a healthy diet, their Vitamin B levels may be higher than those who do not have a healthy lifestyle. This can help reduce the risk of cancer.
Sources of Vitamin B6
Pistachios
Dried Herbs and Spices
Sunflower and Sesame Seeds
Liver
Fish (salmon, cod, tuna)
Pork Tenderloin
Molasses
Garlic
Sources of Methionine
Soybean, Tofu
Bluefin Tuna
Mackerel
Turkey
Skimmed Milk
Although these vitamins alone could not promote fast recovery and healing of your lungs after you quit smoking, they can significantly aid in the process.
