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Submitted by: Samantha Elizabeth Prior
There are a few changes that you will notice within the first 48 hours of quitting, both mentally and physically. It is important that you know that these symptoms will only be temporary and once you are past this phase you will have more energy, feel healthier and have a better sense of wellbeing. By having an action plan in place, such as nutritional support, your symptoms will barely be noticeable and you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.
The false belief of a reward system
With your first inhale of smoke nicotine sends a surge of chemicals through your blood stream to your brain inducing the release of a dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that when realised gives you that great pleasure sensation, unsurprisingly it is known to have a reward and reinforcement behavioural effect. The nicotine hit you get only lasts for a few minutes and therefore you develop a craving for another soon after.
There is another to catch-22 to this; smoking also causes the release of adrenaline making you feel stressed but energetic. The adrenaline response stimulates the release of glucose to get you ready to put a lot of physical energy into something. But, after the cigarette leaches toxins into your lungs from the smoke, I doubt you feel like going for a run? Therefore your body tries to regulate your blood sugar levels again by packing the glucose back into cells, within about 30 minutes your energy levels and mood dip and you find yourself reaching for a cigarette, a cup of coffee or something sugary. So, although the moment at which you smoke makes you feel good, the feeling a little bit later actually makes you feel worse than if you hadn’t smoked at all!
How do you break this vicious cycle?
Quitting smoking causes a withdrawal from adrenaline and dopamine, resulting in a symptomatic cascade of feelings such as anger, depression, lethargy, insomnia and sweet cravings. Lets veto all of these symptoms and help your hormones rebalance themselves effectively and efficiently and most of all naturally.
Balancing hormones naturally
Fruits and vegetables
Dopamine is easily oxidised and therefore having antioxidants help to protect it. Vitamin C, vitamin A and flavonoids naturally rich in fruit and vegetables acts as an antioxidant to protect dopamine from damage and will also support your body in the healing process whilst your body repairs from toxic damage.
Protein
Protein contains the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine; these together increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Therefore foods such as beans, legumes and animal protein should be included into the daily diet. Quitting smoking can also cause hypoglycemia and your metabolism slows down, having protein provides you with B vitamins, carnatine and chromium to support blood sugar levels to keep your metabolism and mood well balanced.
Exercise
Being physically active supports a healthy metabolism therefore preventing weight gain. You may also find that this supports your energy levels and makes you feel good as exercise is related to a release of the happy hormone serotonin.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids make up a large proportion of brain structure, one portion of that being neurotransmitter composition. Oily fish choices such as salmon, mackerel and tuna provide a good source of omega 3 to support dopamine and other positive neurotransmitter levels.
Feeling congested?
Don’t worry about this, you may notice after a couple of weeks that you’re producing more mucus which can be grey in colour. This is a positive bodily response telling you that your lungs and respiratory tract is repairing itself and getting rid of all the nasties in the process.
Honey
Having hot water with honey and lemon several times a day will help soothe the throat and breakdown any excess mucus on the chest.
So, for all you highly driven people, in a few weeks, you will have to admit to yourself that is sometimes it’s good to quit at something.
About the Author: Samantha Elizabeth Prior, Nutritionist for Totally Nourish (
totallynourish.com
) & BioCare. Established since 2008, Totally Nourish is a leading UK online health store specialising in health supplements and vitamins, health foods, dietary supplements and more.
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