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Question:
I am constantly exposed to cigarette smoke. Now I hear that second-hand smoke is even more harmful to my health than if I actually smoked myself. What can I do to support the health of my lungs against second-hand smoke?
Answer:
Doing a better job of avoiding second-hand smoke is my first recommendation. Beyond that I recommend boosting antioxidant intake by making sure that you consume at least five servings of fresh vegetables and two servings of fresh fruit each day and supplement your diet with 500 to 1500 mg of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E each day.
In addition, I recommend eating curries. The main ingredient of curry is turmeric. In one study, sixteen chronic smokers were given 1.5 g of turmeric daily. At the end of the thirty-day trial, there was a significant reduction in the level of cancer-causing compounds excreted in the urine. These results signified enhanced detoxification processes. Due to widespread exposure to smoke and other environmental carcinogens, the frequent use of turmeric as a spice or supplement appears warranted. The antioxidant activity of the yellow pigment of turmeric, a compound known as curcumin, is up to 300 times stronger than vitamin E. Curcumin, as a supplement, has been shown to exert significant antioxidant effects in dosages as small as 20 mg per day.
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