The choice to quit smoking cigarettes is a difficult one because it means letting go of something you crave, but it is an admirable decision and certainly a worthwhile one, at least of your health could talk and tell you so. Today we take a brief look at what quitting to smoke entails, and then we examine some of the best vitamins and herbal supplements which can be of assistance to those who have decided to quit.
The Difficulties of Quitting Smoking
The decision to quit smoking is one of the healthiest, and often one of the most challenging, health decisions that some people make. Quitting smoking bodes well for the health of your lungs and respiration, reduces the risk of heart disease, and reduces the risk of other diseases linked to chronic smoking.
Nicotine withdrawal is typical in the first few weeks after ceasing smoking, and it can be brutal. Withdrawal symptoms include cravings, restlessness, trouble sleeping, irritability, depressed mood, and weight gain. If there is any consolation, these are only temporary, but can sure seem to last a long time.
One of the less talked-about aspects of quitting smoking is nutrition. Certain nutritional habits, such as your food choices, when you eat, and your nutrient intake, can make the process of quitting smoking easier. Eating a hearty, whole-grain breakfast (or even a light breakfast) can reduce nicotine cravings and help you feel fuller throughout the day. Certain herbal and vitamin supplements can also help you after you quit smoking.
Vitamins and Herbs to Help You Quit Smoking
Herbs and nutrients have many uses, and some of them can be very useful for those who have chosen to quit smoking. Following are some of the best supplements which can help reduce nicotine cravings, with an added bonus of improving physiological homeostasis after ceasing smoking.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, could help reduce the cravings and irritability that come with quitting smoking. This is because niacin actually has a very similar chemical structure to that of nicotine, hence the similarity of their two names. Niacin helps by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain. Along with other B vitamins, it also supports the health of hair, skin, and the liver, all of which can be affected by sustained cigarette use.
Lobelia is one of the herbs most commonly touted for its potential to help someone stop smoking. Available in tablet form, this potent herb has the ability to help calm the mind and the body, and reduce nicotine cravings. It could also have another effect of worsening the taste of cigarettes, thereby reducing the likelihood that you’ll even desire use them again.
L-glutamine is an amino acid available in oral tablet form, and in powdered form. L-glutamine can help reduce cravings for nicotine. It can also cut down on the cravings for sugar and alcohol, help stabilize blood sugar, and reduce anxiety; These are all helpful benefits in the first 2-3 weeks when ceasing a longstanding cigarette habit. It’s best to take l-glutamine before meals.
Vitamin C taken in generous doses (3,000mg or more) for short periods of time can help reduce nicotine cravings. Vitamin C adheres to nicotine that is already in the body, and expedites it movement to the liver and kidneys so the body can get rid of it. Vitamin C is very important for those who are ceasing cigarette smoking because smoking actually depletes the body of this essential vitamin.
Valerian root can help the body manage stress when you are going through the process of giving up smoking. Valerian has sedative effects on the body. It can help the body handle stress and the anxiety associated with smoking cessation. It can also help with sleep, and mitigate the insomnia that can occur from nicotine withdrawal.
Quitting smoking is a steep challenge, but its payoff is your long-term health. If you or a family member have decided to stop smoking cigarettes, then consider how these supplements could be of help to you. As always, it is recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking one of these supplements.