Guest guest Posted November 5, 2003 Report Share Posted November 5, 2003 Wed, 5 Nov 2003 09:35:37 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Air Freshener Air Freshener Health Sciences Institute e-Alert November 5, 2003 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, When you think of Montana you might think of that state's famous " big sky " sweeping over mountains and forests filled with plenty of fresh, clean air. But for some people in Montana, the air isn't clean or fresh; it's filled with cigarette smoke. A recent study in Helena, Montana, has revealed just how devastating the effects of passive smoking - or second-hand smoke - can be. But another study from the University of California suggests that the increase of a single vitamin may alleviate at least some of the dangers posed by second hand smoke. ----------------------------- Smoker roller coaster ----------------------------- The Helena case is fascinating. In June 2002, shortly after a Helena ordinance went into effect banning smoking in all public buildings, doctors at St. Peter's Community Hospital noticed that the number of heart attack patients was dropping. Recognizing a perfect opportunity, two of the doctors developed a study to examine the effects that the smoking ban might have on local heart attack statistics. With funding from the National Cancer Institute and statistical analysis provided by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, the St. Peter's doctors collected four years of heart attack statistics leading up to the smoking ban. Control of the study was not a problem because St. Peter's is the only cardiac care hospital in Helena. So among Helena's population of approximately 66,000, it was relatively simple to keep tabs on virtually every case of heart attack in the area. The researchers found that within six months of the ban the Helena heart attack rate dropped by almost 60 percent compared with the average rate over the previous four years. But then the study took an unexpected twist. The Helena smoking ban included bars, restaurants, and casinos. Immediately after the ban took effect, business in these establishments dropped off almost as sharply as the heart attack rate. So after several months of intense lobbying from tobacco interests and the Montana Tavern Association, the Montana State Legislature repealed the ban, and in December 2002 Helena residents began lighting up again over meals, drinks and slot machines. And the rate of heart attacks in Helena returned to its previous level just as quickly as it had dropped. ----------------------------- Looking through smoke-colored glasses ----------------------------- Yet, as we've often seen, studies need to be read very carefully to make sure the researchers' conclusions are justified by the details. Particularly with cigarette smoke being a popular public enemy #1. Unfortunately, the Helena study hasn't been published yet. So until we can review specific data and the way it was analyzed, we'll still have some unanswered questions. For instance, none of the several reports I read had data on the heart attack rates of non-smokers compared to smokers both before and after the Helena ordinance went into effect. And although we're told that variables such as seasonal fluctuations in the heart attack rate were taken into account, other variables are harder to nail down; such as the fact that some smokers tend to smoke more when they're out drinking and socializing than they do at home. Or that drinking and gambling themselves could lead to a greater number of cardiac events; and since business had dropped off at the bars and casinos, people may have cut down on those behaviors as well. ----------------------------- The nonsmoking smoker ----------------------------- That said, the Helena study would appear to offer a stark reminder that no matter how healthy you may be, second hand smoke should not be taken lightly. Previous studies have revealed this general timeline of second hand smoke effects on the heart: * 5 minutes: The aorta begins to stiffen * 30 minutes: The blood begins to become " sticky " with activated blood platelets; damage to the artery linings begins; blood vessel dilation is reduced * 2 hours: Heart rhythm may become disturbed By some estimates, an eight-hour shift spent working in a smoky casino or bar has the same effect on the cardiovascular system as smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. So in effect, a nonsmoker who spends day after day in such an environment is essentially a smoker. It's called " passive " smoking, but it's smoking nonetheless, and carries an equal risk of cancer, asthma, and heart attack that endangers everyday smokers. ----------------------------- Margin of safety ----------------------------- Fortunately, nonsmokers exposed to second hand smoke may get some cardiovascular protection with an adequate intake of vitamin C. Previous research suggests that lung cancer and cardiovascular problems triggered by passive smoking are associated with an increase in oxidative stress. A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley (UC), examined the effects of vitamin C and other nutrients on oxidative stress in 67 middle-aged nonsmokers who were regularly exposed to second hand smoke. Split into three groups, the subjects were given either 500 mg of vitamin C daily; a mix of vitamin C, E, and alpha-lipoic acid; or a placebo. After two months, researchers found that, compared to the placebo group, the vitamin C group showed a decrease in oxidative stress of more than 11 percent, and the nutrient mix group of almost 13 percent. So can an 11, 12, or 13 percent reduction in oxidative stress protect you from a heart attack triggered by passive smoking? The answer to that would depend on many variables. But any margin of safety is welcome when the heart is exposed to the dangers of second-hand smoke. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing Lake Lewisville in Dallas, Texas, is quickly becoming Lake Placid. Bryan Brooks, a Baylor University toxicologist, has discovered traces of Prozac's active ingredient (fluoxetine) in the tissue of blue gill fish in Lake Lewisville. Brooks speculates that the fluoxetine somehow made its way from the urine of Prozac users, through a water treatment plant, and into the lake. Most disturbing is the larger question: If fluoxetine can make the trip intact from human urine to the tissue of fish, are other pharmaceuticals also getting through? The thought of it is enough to make you feel a little, you know... depressed! Meanwhile, there's no word yet on whether the fish are overcoming bouts of depression. Also no word on whether they're experiencing headaches, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, drowsiness, sweating, nausea, weigh loss, joint pain, or sexual dysfunction. (All are Prozac side effects listed as " frequent " by Eli Lilly, maker of Prozac.) I wonder if there are any complementary and alternative streams in Texas where St. John's Wort flows freely? To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " The Secondhand Smoking Gun " Rosemary Ellis, The New York Times, 10/15/03, nytimes.com " Six-Month Public Smoking Ban Slashes Heart Attack Rate in Community " EurekAlert, 4/1/03, eurekalert.org " Vitamin C Supplementation Decreases Oxidative Stress biomarker f2-Isoprostanes in Plasma of Nonsmokers Exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke " Nutrition and Cancer, 2003; 45(2), 176-84, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Vitamin C to Counter Passive Smoking Damage " NutraIngredients.com, 8/6/03, nutraingredients.com " Fish on Prozac? How Depressing! " MSNBC, 10/23/03, msnbc.com Copyright ©1997-2003 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. 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Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Air FreshenerFew slices lemon, orange or grapefruit1 pot of water Put slices of fruit into the pot of water. Let simmer gently for an hour or so. A citrus scent will fill your house. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."-- Mahatma Gandhi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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