If you brush twice a day and have hardly ever experienced any kind of major problems involving oral health, you can easily believe that your teeth will invariably remain in good shape. Still there are numerous daily activities that may be gradually yet steadily harming your teeth. Consider the following frequent habits that may trigger serious, extensive issues, and try to overcome any which seem familiar.
1. Brushing Teeth to Vigorously
It might seem you are being conscientious, however brushing your teeth way too vigorously can in fact trigger more harm than good because it weakens the teeth enamel considerably. You can try to thoroughly brush your teeth with a softer brush, and remember to brush them in delicate, even circles.
2. Drinking Diet Soda or Fruit Juice
Even though drinking diet soft drinks may help your waist, it destroys your teeth because of the acidic properties connected with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. At the same time, regular soda contains a good amount of sugar and promotes cavities because of that. It is advisable to quench your thirst by drinking water. Another one of the reasons that it is better to sip drinking water to keep hydrated is that even drinking beverages like fruit juices actually is harmful to teeth. Despite having vitamin C in it and many other health advantages, the majority of fruit juice is full of added sugars (once again placing you susceptible to cavities). Still some fruit juice is actively noted as having no added sugar that can lower your likelihood of developing these juice-related cavities.
3. Crunching on Ice Cubes
Crunching the large ice cubes while drinking juice, soda and/or any cold beverages can be another significant poor dental habit. It may cause cracks in your enameled surface of the teeth and even break in teeth. Colored refreshments additionally spoil the all-natural color of your teeth not to mention stain them irreparably.
4. Smoking
Smoking is completely horrible for your smile. Many people know it stains them yellow-colored and brown; however it is fairly less recognized that smoking cigarettes also results in gingivitis (which may even result in some of your teeth falling out). Cigarette smoking is really risky for your oral health that it is additionally connected with different mouth cancers.
Now that you are familiar with a number of bad dental practices, stay away from them whenever possible. A stunning face is not whole without gorgeous and healthy teeth. Along with staying away from bad habits, you should also try to thoroughly brush your teeth consistently. Oral plaque buildup is often a primary reason why we are afflicted by tooth decay. This is a sticky material which contains bacteria that generates acids and causes destruction on your teeth enamel. It leads to gum diseases such as gingivitis and mouth cancers. When we omit the significance of day-to-day brushing with toothpaste, food pieces will remain in between your teeth. This can lead to more germs in the mouth that destroys the teeth.
John is a professional blogger writes interesting articles about Health and this article was researched and written with the help of Seattle Pediatric Dentist
Showing posts with label nicotine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nicotine. Show all posts
Monday, April 15, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Change Your Lifestyle and Banish Your Vices
Do you have any vices? Most people have at least one habit that they would like to kick, and for many that habit is smoking. If you are a smoker, it might seem almost impossible to quit, and even the thought of it could send you into a cold sweat. However, if you are truly ready to stop smoking and to become healthier, and you are willing to put in the work, you can do it. Here are some of the things that you need to do in your life to help make quitting and becoming healthier overall easier for you.
Understand the Habit and Make Changes
First, you want to understand what it is that makes the bad habit enjoyable in the first place, and find something that you can do to replace that feeling. In addition, you want to make sure that you are able to stay out of situations that could make you want to smoke. If your friends all step outside after dinner to smoke, then you are going to need to avoid that until you kick the habit entirely. Otherwise, the temptation can be too great.
If you smoke in your vehicle, then you will want to make sure that you take it to a professional detailer who is going to be able to get the smell out of the vehicle. If you do not, the temptation to smoke is going to hit you every time that you sit in the vehicle. Your clothes are going to carry the stench of the smoke as well. It can take several washes to remove the smell. For some items, dry cleaning might be necessary. Others might even need replacing.
Find Other Outlets
Something else that you should consider doing is coming up with some hobbies and activities that you truly enjoy and that can engage your mind as well as your hands. People who stop smoking often do not know what to do with their hands because they have become so accustomed to smoking. Putting together models, playing videogames, reading a book, and more can help to engage the mind and the body. Exercise is also a good option for those who are seeking a good outlet.
Quitting is never easy, but it is possible to do. With a great attitude and the desire to change your lifestyle, you can banish one of the world's deadliest vices.
Victory Lean is a writer at Dicigs.com - an Electronic Cigarette showcase. She likes to share lifestyle tips and advices for healthy living.
Understand the Habit and Make Changes
First, you want to understand what it is that makes the bad habit enjoyable in the first place, and find something that you can do to replace that feeling. In addition, you want to make sure that you are able to stay out of situations that could make you want to smoke. If your friends all step outside after dinner to smoke, then you are going to need to avoid that until you kick the habit entirely. Otherwise, the temptation can be too great.
If you smoke in your vehicle, then you will want to make sure that you take it to a professional detailer who is going to be able to get the smell out of the vehicle. If you do not, the temptation to smoke is going to hit you every time that you sit in the vehicle. Your clothes are going to carry the stench of the smoke as well. It can take several washes to remove the smell. For some items, dry cleaning might be necessary. Others might even need replacing.
Find Other Outlets
Something else that you should consider doing is coming up with some hobbies and activities that you truly enjoy and that can engage your mind as well as your hands. People who stop smoking often do not know what to do with their hands because they have become so accustomed to smoking. Putting together models, playing videogames, reading a book, and more can help to engage the mind and the body. Exercise is also a good option for those who are seeking a good outlet.
Quitting is never easy, but it is possible to do. With a great attitude and the desire to change your lifestyle, you can banish one of the world's deadliest vices.
Victory Lean is a writer at Dicigs.com - an Electronic Cigarette showcase. She likes to share lifestyle tips and advices for healthy living.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Remarkably Advantageous Aspects of Electronic Cigarettes
People have been really difficult for the people to end their habit of smoking. Since they became familiar with the adverse effects of smoking, they have tried numerous ways to get rid of this fatal habit, but none of those ways have been strong enough to provide a permanent solution. Several companies have produced some really competent anti-smoking devices. However, the problem still existed.
A solution to the problem was ultimately found when electronic cigarette came to the market. People, who found it hard to get rid of their smoking habits, finally got a relief with this exciting new introduction in the market. Before it came to the market, people used to try various other methods such as chewing of gum and using nicotine patches. E-cigarette has been the most talked about product in the market in the recent years. People have appreciated it a lot since its arrival in the market. It has the same design and feels that are there in the traditional cigarettes. It is certainly capable enough to help people get out of their addiction of traditional cigarettes.
Beneficial Features of Electronic Cigarettes
The most remarkable of all the benefits offered by e-cigarettes is that it does not contain harmful tobacco. Therefore, even by smoking it frequently, you body is not affected adversely. Instead of tobacco, it has nicotine vapor. You take that vapor in and then breathe it out when you smoke these cigarettes. When it comes out of your mouth it looks the same as real smoke. There are carcinogens present in the traditional cigarettes. However, there are no harmful components present in e-cigarettes. Carcinogens truly are highly harmful for people who smoke and also for those who are there around them.
Electronic cigarettes have nicotine cartridge in them. When e-cigarette is inhaled, the amount of liquid nicotine that is present in it gets transformed to vapor. It is an atomizer that does the transformation. That atomizer is powered with the battery. Once you inhale the vapor, you will surely have the experience of inhaling actual cigarette. On the tip, there is an LED light. It gets turned on when you inhale the cigarette. The feeling you get while smoking electronic cigarette is the same as what you get while smoking traditional cigarette.
You Have the Same Smoking Experience
There is simply no difference in the feeling that a person gets when smoking traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. On the other hand, electronic cigarettes are extremely advantageous as they are way safer than their traditional counterparts. They contain no bad component that can cause harm to your body. But it is highly essential for you to choose the right company for buying electronic cigarettes. Otherwise you may end up buying electronic cigarettes of bad quality. On a concluding note, it can be said with absolute certainty that they are the ideal device that will provide you with the pleasure of smoking and at the same time keep you away from its harmful effects.
Author's Bio
James Pattrick is an extremely proficient author on electronic cigarette price and related topics. He requests his readers to visit Vllusion.com to avail further information.
A solution to the problem was ultimately found when electronic cigarette came to the market. People, who found it hard to get rid of their smoking habits, finally got a relief with this exciting new introduction in the market. Before it came to the market, people used to try various other methods such as chewing of gum and using nicotine patches. E-cigarette has been the most talked about product in the market in the recent years. People have appreciated it a lot since its arrival in the market. It has the same design and feels that are there in the traditional cigarettes. It is certainly capable enough to help people get out of their addiction of traditional cigarettes.
Beneficial Features of Electronic Cigarettes
The most remarkable of all the benefits offered by e-cigarettes is that it does not contain harmful tobacco. Therefore, even by smoking it frequently, you body is not affected adversely. Instead of tobacco, it has nicotine vapor. You take that vapor in and then breathe it out when you smoke these cigarettes. When it comes out of your mouth it looks the same as real smoke. There are carcinogens present in the traditional cigarettes. However, there are no harmful components present in e-cigarettes. Carcinogens truly are highly harmful for people who smoke and also for those who are there around them.
Electronic cigarettes have nicotine cartridge in them. When e-cigarette is inhaled, the amount of liquid nicotine that is present in it gets transformed to vapor. It is an atomizer that does the transformation. That atomizer is powered with the battery. Once you inhale the vapor, you will surely have the experience of inhaling actual cigarette. On the tip, there is an LED light. It gets turned on when you inhale the cigarette. The feeling you get while smoking electronic cigarette is the same as what you get while smoking traditional cigarette.
You Have the Same Smoking Experience
There is simply no difference in the feeling that a person gets when smoking traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. On the other hand, electronic cigarettes are extremely advantageous as they are way safer than their traditional counterparts. They contain no bad component that can cause harm to your body. But it is highly essential for you to choose the right company for buying electronic cigarettes. Otherwise you may end up buying electronic cigarettes of bad quality. On a concluding note, it can be said with absolute certainty that they are the ideal device that will provide you with the pleasure of smoking and at the same time keep you away from its harmful effects.
Author's Bio
James Pattrick is an extremely proficient author on electronic cigarette price and related topics. He requests his readers to visit Vllusion.com to avail further information.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Diet for your Blood Pressure Issues
If you have been diagnosed with having high blood pressure (which basically means the top number being 140 or more and the bottom number - 90 or above) that means living a life with one top priority in mind - to keep these numbers in their normal states. However, a lot of people are reluctant to doing this with the help of certain medications. A smart, safe, efficient and above all - relatively simple way of fighting high blood pressure is to change your lifestyle. And most importantly - your diet. If you keep your diet as healthy and free of bad substances as possible, you are most likely to delay, reduce or even avoid the need for using medications. Here are some practical tips on how you can do so.
1.Lose those annoying extra pounds and keep a strict eye on your waistline
As weight increases, blood pressure increases as well. However, if you lose as much as five kilos, you will help your body reduce blood pressure. On the other hand, the medications you take will be far more effective if your weight is lowered. Keep an eye on your waist line as the more weight you carry, the worse for your blood pressure levels. In general terms, men are risk, provided that their waistline is more than 100cm. As for women, that number is 90cm.
2.Eat healthy
Plan your diet in such a way, that it consists of a good amount of vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fruits, whole grains, etc. That is sure to change your life for good. And if you stick to your diet plan, your blood pressure will be lowered by up to 14mm Hg. Eating habits are built throughout the years and are usually difficult to change. However, once you realize that changing your diet is of crucial importance, making that change will seem less difficult to you.
-Keep a food diary - Monitoring what you eat is the best way to actually see what you have to get rid of from your daily menu.
-Boost potassium - It will lessen the sodium effect on your blood pressure. The best sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables rather than supplements. Consult your doctor about what potassium levels are best for you.
-Be smart when shopping - Before you head for the store, make yourself a list, and make it one that is free of any junk foods.
3.Reduce the level of sodium in your diet
Even a slight reduction of the sodium in your meals can lead to positive results - reducing your blood pressure from 3 to 7 mm Hg. Here are the recommendations:
-Limit sodium up to 2,000 milligrams, or less, a day.
-For people, aged 51 or more, the appropriate sodium level is not more than1,500 miligrams a day.
In order to reduce the level of sodium in your diet, consdier doing the following:
Read the food labels - buy low-sodium alternatives alternatives to the foods you usually buy
Eat as little processed foods as possible - all those bagged, so called 'junk foods' are bad for you, if you don't already know it.
Restrain from using salt - if you feel your food is rather tasteless, add different sorts of herbs instead of salt.
4.Limit alcohol
As a matter of fact, alcohol in small quantities is good for your health. However, just like with many other things, it is supposed to be taken with moderation. Especially for men and women over the age of 65, alcohol should be limited to a bare minimum. Suggested daily alcohol levels, described as 'one drink a day', are something in the lines of : 360mililitres of beer or 150 milliliters of wine or 50 milliliters of hard liquor.
5.Say no to tobacco
Nicotine is dangerous for pretty much everything you can imagine, including your blood pressure level. Smoking can actually raise the blood pressure with 10 mm Hg. Smoking throughout all the day will mean to constantly maintain high blood pressure. Do your best to cut back on this nasty habit.
The article has been submitted by: Handyremovals
1.Lose those annoying extra pounds and keep a strict eye on your waistline
As weight increases, blood pressure increases as well. However, if you lose as much as five kilos, you will help your body reduce blood pressure. On the other hand, the medications you take will be far more effective if your weight is lowered. Keep an eye on your waist line as the more weight you carry, the worse for your blood pressure levels. In general terms, men are risk, provided that their waistline is more than 100cm. As for women, that number is 90cm.
2.Eat healthy
Plan your diet in such a way, that it consists of a good amount of vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fruits, whole grains, etc. That is sure to change your life for good. And if you stick to your diet plan, your blood pressure will be lowered by up to 14mm Hg. Eating habits are built throughout the years and are usually difficult to change. However, once you realize that changing your diet is of crucial importance, making that change will seem less difficult to you.
-Keep a food diary - Monitoring what you eat is the best way to actually see what you have to get rid of from your daily menu.
-Boost potassium - It will lessen the sodium effect on your blood pressure. The best sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables rather than supplements. Consult your doctor about what potassium levels are best for you.
-Be smart when shopping - Before you head for the store, make yourself a list, and make it one that is free of any junk foods.
3.Reduce the level of sodium in your diet
Even a slight reduction of the sodium in your meals can lead to positive results - reducing your blood pressure from 3 to 7 mm Hg. Here are the recommendations:
-Limit sodium up to 2,000 milligrams, or less, a day.
-For people, aged 51 or more, the appropriate sodium level is not more than1,500 miligrams a day.
In order to reduce the level of sodium in your diet, consdier doing the following:
Read the food labels - buy low-sodium alternatives alternatives to the foods you usually buy
Eat as little processed foods as possible - all those bagged, so called 'junk foods' are bad for you, if you don't already know it.
Restrain from using salt - if you feel your food is rather tasteless, add different sorts of herbs instead of salt.
4.Limit alcohol
As a matter of fact, alcohol in small quantities is good for your health. However, just like with many other things, it is supposed to be taken with moderation. Especially for men and women over the age of 65, alcohol should be limited to a bare minimum. Suggested daily alcohol levels, described as 'one drink a day', are something in the lines of : 360mililitres of beer or 150 milliliters of wine or 50 milliliters of hard liquor.
5.Say no to tobacco
Nicotine is dangerous for pretty much everything you can imagine, including your blood pressure level. Smoking can actually raise the blood pressure with 10 mm Hg. Smoking throughout all the day will mean to constantly maintain high blood pressure. Do your best to cut back on this nasty habit.
The article has been submitted by: Handyremovals
Friday, January 4, 2013
Smoking: It Affects Your Sexual Health, Too
Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects 15 to 30 million men in this country alone. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide it is thought that as many as 322 million men will be affected by erectile dysfunction by 2025. Although it is a condition that is more commonly associated with an aging population, a variety of health concerns can also have an impact on male sexual health, particularly problems associated with heart disease and diabetes. Besides unhealthy eating, smoking has a great impact on the incidence of erectile dysfunction. Although smoking's negative health effects are well known, understanding how smoking affects male sexual health can make for drastic improvements in an individual's life.
The biggest problem with smoking lies in its affect on vascular health. Smoking is the leading contributor to heart disease because of the build up of plaque on the walls of the vascular system, or atherosclerosis. This buildup of plaque is what creates the conditions for heart attacks to occur. By decreasing blood flow, the entire vascular system is affected. Since the ability to maintain an erection is dependent on good blood flow stemming from the lungs, any negative impact on the vascular system will negatively effect the blood flow to the penis. Smoking can even permanently damage the blood vessels of the penis.
Smoking also negatively impacts the lungs by impairing the lungs ability to deliver oxygen molecules to the blood stream. Smoking deposits tar which makes the sacs in the lungs work less effectively. Cigarette smoke also contains a chemical called hydrogen cyanide that destroys the delicate hairs inside the lungs that are designed to filter out toxins. Thus, this chemical makes the lungs much more susceptible to the toxins found in cigarette smoke and making them more prone to damage.
The biggest sexual impact from this exposure to carcinogens and toxins found in cigarette smoke is on sperm. Smoking in men has been found to have an impact on the number of viable sperm available in the testes. Also, it has also been found in men who smoke that they have a higher percentage of deformed sperm, and that much of the viable sperm available contains genetic damage as a result of smoking. The greatest threat here to a man's sexual health as a result of smoking lies in impotence.
Interestingly, while smoking has been tied to a number of health problems like cancer and heart disease which can have an effect on the incidence of erectile dysfunction in men of a certain age, smoking alone has been shown to have a direct and measurable impact on erectile dysfunction in the absence of heart disease no matter the age. These affects have been shown in smokers in their 20's and 30's, and these are not ages that are typically associated with the impact of erectile dysfunction.
Prostate cancer should be mentioned here as an impact that smoking can have. Although prostate cancer may not be related to an incidence of erectile dysfunction, smoking has been related to more aggressive prostate cancer tumors, and these fast spreading tumors can cause impotence and even death.
The bottom line is that smoking is an overall zero when it comes to health benefits. In terms of its effects on erectile dysfunction, it has been shown to have an impact on everyone of the diseases that are associated with erectile dysfunction, and even in the absence of those age related diseases, smoking alone can cause erectile dysfunction. Remember that the next time you want to light up.
Michelle Winters blogs for Edrugstore.Md where you can read more about What causes erectile dysfunction.
The biggest problem with smoking lies in its affect on vascular health. Smoking is the leading contributor to heart disease because of the build up of plaque on the walls of the vascular system, or atherosclerosis. This buildup of plaque is what creates the conditions for heart attacks to occur. By decreasing blood flow, the entire vascular system is affected. Since the ability to maintain an erection is dependent on good blood flow stemming from the lungs, any negative impact on the vascular system will negatively effect the blood flow to the penis. Smoking can even permanently damage the blood vessels of the penis.
Smoking also negatively impacts the lungs by impairing the lungs ability to deliver oxygen molecules to the blood stream. Smoking deposits tar which makes the sacs in the lungs work less effectively. Cigarette smoke also contains a chemical called hydrogen cyanide that destroys the delicate hairs inside the lungs that are designed to filter out toxins. Thus, this chemical makes the lungs much more susceptible to the toxins found in cigarette smoke and making them more prone to damage.
The biggest sexual impact from this exposure to carcinogens and toxins found in cigarette smoke is on sperm. Smoking in men has been found to have an impact on the number of viable sperm available in the testes. Also, it has also been found in men who smoke that they have a higher percentage of deformed sperm, and that much of the viable sperm available contains genetic damage as a result of smoking. The greatest threat here to a man's sexual health as a result of smoking lies in impotence.
Interestingly, while smoking has been tied to a number of health problems like cancer and heart disease which can have an effect on the incidence of erectile dysfunction in men of a certain age, smoking alone has been shown to have a direct and measurable impact on erectile dysfunction in the absence of heart disease no matter the age. These affects have been shown in smokers in their 20's and 30's, and these are not ages that are typically associated with the impact of erectile dysfunction.
Prostate cancer should be mentioned here as an impact that smoking can have. Although prostate cancer may not be related to an incidence of erectile dysfunction, smoking has been related to more aggressive prostate cancer tumors, and these fast spreading tumors can cause impotence and even death.
The bottom line is that smoking is an overall zero when it comes to health benefits. In terms of its effects on erectile dysfunction, it has been shown to have an impact on everyone of the diseases that are associated with erectile dysfunction, and even in the absence of those age related diseases, smoking alone can cause erectile dysfunction. Remember that the next time you want to light up.
Michelle Winters blogs for Edrugstore.Md where you can read more about What causes erectile dysfunction.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Largest-ever tobacco study finds 'urgent need' for policy change
About half the men in numerous developing nations use tobacco, and women in those regions are taking up smoking at an earlier age than they used to, according to what is being called the largest-ever international study on tobacco use.
The study, which covered enough representative samples to estimate tobacco use among 3 billion people, "demonstrates an urgent need for policy change in low- and middle-income countries," said lead researcher Gary Giovino, whose report was published in the British medical journal The Lancet.
The figures bolster statements by the World Health Organization that while much of the industrialized world, including the United States, has seen a substantial reduction in smoking in recent years, the opposite trend is under way in parts of the developing world.
Australian tobacco packaging laws misguided
This week, Australia's high court upheld a rule that tobacco products must be in plain packaging without logos and bear graphic health warnings.
Other success stories include New Zealand, Ireland, and Britain, said Tusan D'Espaignet. Two of the countries in the new GATS study Turkey and Uruguay are also showing improvement due to such measures, he said.
The study got some of its funding from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's philanthropy, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
Bloomberg Philanthropies says that in 2007, it supported the WHO's efforts "to package and promote six proven policies to reduce tobacco use worldwide. These strategies including protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering help to quit, raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco through warning labels and public education campaigns, enforcing tobacco advertising bans, and raising the price of tobacco products are proven to reduce smoking rates. "
Since that initiative began in 2007, "21 countries have passed 100% smoke-free laws, the percentage of people protected from second-hand smoke has increased 400%, and almost four billion people worldwide are now protected by at least one of the six proven tobacco control policies," the group said.
By Josh Levs, CNN
The study, which covered enough representative samples to estimate tobacco use among 3 billion people, "demonstrates an urgent need for policy change in low- and middle-income countries," said lead researcher Gary Giovino, whose report was published in the British medical journal The Lancet.
The figures bolster statements by the World Health Organization that while much of the industrialized world, including the United States, has seen a substantial reduction in smoking in recent years, the opposite trend is under way in parts of the developing world.
Australian tobacco packaging laws misguided
This week, Australia's high court upheld a rule that tobacco products must be in plain packaging without logos and bear graphic health warnings.
Other success stories include New Zealand, Ireland, and Britain, said Tusan D'Espaignet. Two of the countries in the new GATS study Turkey and Uruguay are also showing improvement due to such measures, he said.
The study got some of its funding from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's philanthropy, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.
Bloomberg Philanthropies says that in 2007, it supported the WHO's efforts "to package and promote six proven policies to reduce tobacco use worldwide. These strategies including protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering help to quit, raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco through warning labels and public education campaigns, enforcing tobacco advertising bans, and raising the price of tobacco products are proven to reduce smoking rates. "
Since that initiative began in 2007, "21 countries have passed 100% smoke-free laws, the percentage of people protected from second-hand smoke has increased 400%, and almost four billion people worldwide are now protected by at least one of the six proven tobacco control policies," the group said.
By Josh Levs, CNN
Friday, June 29, 2012
Therapy for smoking kills the pleasure of nicotine
Can't kick cigarettes? A vaccine may one day help by preventing nicotine from reaching its target in the brain, according to research published this week.
Most smoking therapies do a poor job of stopping the habit 70% to 80% of smokers who use an approved drug therapy to quit relapse. Scientists say this is because the targets of existing therapies are imperfect, only slightly weakening nicotine's ability to find its target in the brain.
So some scientists have been trying a different approach creation of a vaccine. It would work like this: People would inject the vaccine like a shot, and the vaccine would create nicotine antibodies, molecules that can snatch up nicotine from the bloodstream before it reaches the brain. The vaccine could be used by smokers who want to quit or people who are worried about getting addicted to cigarettes in the future.
Researchers have tried to create vaccines in the past, but the ones they've come up with have not been particularly effective. The authors of the new study say this may be because previous vaccines just didn't create enough antibodies to get rid of all the nicotine.
The new report, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, attempts to solve this problem via gene therapy, in which a new gene is inserted into the body to do a particular job.
First the scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City put a gene that produces a nicotine antibody into mice. The gene was taken into the mice's livers, and the liver started producing the antibody. Once produced, the antibody connected with nicotine, trapping it and preventing it from making its way to the brain, where it would otherwise have caused the pleasurable, addictive effects it is so known for.
Because of this trick, the researchers say that the new vaccine should only have to be injected once, and it will work for life, continuing to produce new antibodies in the liver.
The vaccine was effective: When mice were given nicotine intravenously, ones with the vaccine had a 47-fold drop in levels of nicotine in the blood compared with ones that hadn't received the vaccine. The antibody had successfully captured the nicotine in the bloodstream before it could reach the brain.
The work is still preliminary, and the authors admit the technology is far from ready for human use; it has only been used in rodents so far. But given the results, and the continued public health effect of smoking, it may not be too long before all those boxes of Nicorette are replaced with a single trip to the doctor's office.
By Jon Bardin, Los Angeles Times
Most smoking therapies do a poor job of stopping the habit 70% to 80% of smokers who use an approved drug therapy to quit relapse. Scientists say this is because the targets of existing therapies are imperfect, only slightly weakening nicotine's ability to find its target in the brain.
So some scientists have been trying a different approach creation of a vaccine. It would work like this: People would inject the vaccine like a shot, and the vaccine would create nicotine antibodies, molecules that can snatch up nicotine from the bloodstream before it reaches the brain. The vaccine could be used by smokers who want to quit or people who are worried about getting addicted to cigarettes in the future.
Researchers have tried to create vaccines in the past, but the ones they've come up with have not been particularly effective. The authors of the new study say this may be because previous vaccines just didn't create enough antibodies to get rid of all the nicotine.
The new report, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, attempts to solve this problem via gene therapy, in which a new gene is inserted into the body to do a particular job.
First the scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City put a gene that produces a nicotine antibody into mice. The gene was taken into the mice's livers, and the liver started producing the antibody. Once produced, the antibody connected with nicotine, trapping it and preventing it from making its way to the brain, where it would otherwise have caused the pleasurable, addictive effects it is so known for.
Because of this trick, the researchers say that the new vaccine should only have to be injected once, and it will work for life, continuing to produce new antibodies in the liver.
The vaccine was effective: When mice were given nicotine intravenously, ones with the vaccine had a 47-fold drop in levels of nicotine in the blood compared with ones that hadn't received the vaccine. The antibody had successfully captured the nicotine in the bloodstream before it could reach the brain.
The work is still preliminary, and the authors admit the technology is far from ready for human use; it has only been used in rodents so far. But given the results, and the continued public health effect of smoking, it may not be too long before all those boxes of Nicorette are replaced with a single trip to the doctor's office.
By Jon Bardin, Los Angeles Times
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