Effects of Smoking on Liver
By: Isabelle ThomasTotal Views: 439, Word Count: 550,
Most individuals are well aware of the effects of smoking on lungs and heart. However, you might not be aware of the fact that smoking cigarettes could also severely affect your liver. The several toxins found in cigarette tobacco lead to chronic inflammation and scarring in the liver, which in turn, increases the risk for liver damage including diseases such as hepatitis B and C, liver fibrosis and liver cancer.
Moreover, there are several effects of smoking on liver including the way your liver processes medicines and alcohol. Smoking affects your liver in their processing which could increase your risk for alcoholism as well as your overall alcohol and drug tolerance levels.
Cigarettes Hurt your Liver
Your liver is your body’s natural filter and it’s the liver’s liability to prevent injurious toxins from entering the blood stream. Moreover, your liver assists your body to metabolize carbohydrates and sugars and regulates the flow of bile, the substance which helps in the process of digestion. Humans cannot live without a liver and when this organ is disturbed, the body’s immune system weakens and becomes more vulnerable to infection and disease.
In addition, nitrosodiethylamine, one of the several chemicals found in cigarettes could cause liver tumors. Another chemical, nitrosopyrrolidine is known to cause liver cancer. Arsenic, another element found in the smoke you breathe in, is also known to increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
Craving for Nicotine
Your liver is also supposed to be partially responsible for the addiction for nicotine. When you inhale smoke, enzymes, which help your body clear out the toxins through your urine, are produced by your liver. One specific enzyme is particularly responsible for filtering out nicotine. Thus, the nicotine leaves your body much faster as your liver produces more and more of this enzyme.
Bear in mind that nicotine is the most addictive element found in smoke and is thus responsible for most people craving for cigarettes. With each cigarette that you smoke, your body produces this enzyme in more quantity and the nicotine leaves your system. While this seems to be helpful, it in fact contributes to your addiction as the nicotine is leaving so rapidly. This is one of the most dangerous effects of smoking on liver.
As the nicotine leaves the body quickly, your body demands more which leads to you being craving to smoke. Luckily, studies illustrate that by quitting smoking, you considerably lessen your health risks and after fifteen years of not smoking, your body would be in the same state as that of a non smoker. This is of course if your body is not already dented.
Importance of Proper Nutrition
Smokers often suffer from malnutrition. Malnutrition also causes liver damage and destabilized liver function. Those who are addicted to smoking must abstain from smoking to eat appropriately and get the daily dosages of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A, B, C and B1 are vital for patients who are recovering from the habit and the effects of smoking as well as taking minerals like iron and calcium help in strengthening the immune system and the overall health.
There are some deadly effects of smoking on liver and you must refrain from it if you want to lead a healthy life.
About the Author
Isabelle Thomas has worked for 20 years in various stop smoking clinics as a psychiatrist. She has successfully treated over a thousand chain smokers. Her aim is to spread awareness regarding hazards of smoking through her blogs.
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