Chemicals in cigarettes will shock you
University of North Carolina researchers came come up with an idea to help folks kick the smoking habit: Tell them what they’re inhaling! Seems most folks don’t know about all the cancer-causing, toxic ingredients lurking in their smokes.
There are 600-plus chemicals in cigs, and, when burned, they produce over 7,000 chemicals — 69 of which are known cancer-causers, many are poisonous. Here are a few: acetone (nail polish remover); arsenic (rat poison); butane (lighter fluid); cadmium (part of battery acid); cyanide (poison); formaldehyde (embalming fluid). No wonder cigarettes account for 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S.
Fully 80 percent of U.S. smokers say they intend to quit, but most folks try six times before succeeding! So to help you quit and stay quit, when you light up repeat this jingle: Arsenic and formaldehyde, butane and cyanide … not something to take inside. And download the Tobacco Treatment Guide for free at http://cle.clinic/29GmnnN. NO GRAIN, NO GAIN
We’ve long advocated eating only 100 percent whole grain. It’s packed with nutrients and helps strengthen your gut biome, which in turn makes your immune system stronger, helps you control your LDL cholesterol, weight and glucose levels, is great for your skin and heart, and helps you attain a younger RealAge.
And now researchers have found that if you eat three servings (90 grams or a tad more than 3 ounces) of whole grains a day, you reduce your risk for coronary heart disease by 19 percent, cardiovascular disease by 22 percent and cancer by 15 percent. Plus, you reduce your risk of diabetes, infections and respiratory illnesses.
We hope you opt for the high end of current guidelines that suggest three (90 grams) to six (180 grams) servings a day for women and four (120 grams) to seven (210 grams) for men. Psst! 24 grams a day makes your RealAge at least 1.1 years younger.
A serving of whole grain equals: 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice, 100 percent whole-wheat pasta, or oatmeal; 1 slice of 100 percent whole-grain bread. Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.