NaturalMedications

Vitamin C Needs for Smokers

Vitamin C is important to healthy teeth, bones and iron absorption. Vitamin C is one of the body's main antioxidants. Antioxidants are linked to the prevention of a number of diseases.

Your body "uses up" vitamin C to clear out many free radicals smoking causes, smokers need about one-and-a-half times the amount of vitamin C as nonsmokers. Smokers get increased free radical damage in their bodies from smoking and this free radical damage can lead to an increased risk of cancer, Vitamin C is an antioxidant, so it neutralizes the free radicals that are produced by smoking. New research shows that people who live with smokers or those who are exposed to secondhand smoke also need more vitamin C.

If you're a smoker, you should strongly consider stopping for your health, and for those around you. But until then, you should also increase your vitamin C intake. Female smokers should consume at least 95 milligrams of vitamin C a day, and male smokers should consume at least 110 milligrams a day.

Vitamin C is found in most fruits and vegetables, with citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruits and their juices having the highest content.

In the longer term, smoking inevitably increases the risk of a variety of respiratory disorders - including cancer and obstruction of the airways.  No amount of vitamin C can protect the body against the damage caused by smoking.