There are many reasons to avoid or quit smoking. Diabetes is definitely one of the reasons. Whether you already have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, or want to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, quitting smoking is an important part of your long-term health.
In fact, the more cigarettes you smoke per day, the higher your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Compared to non-smokers, you are It could be 30-40% higher develop diabetes.
This article explains why smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and increases the incidence of diabetes-related complications.
How tobacco exacerbates the risk of diabetes, insulin resistance and complications
Smoking a cigarette exacerbates your blood sugar level and overall insulin resistance in four ways.
- Nicotine reduces the effectiveness of insulin
- Smoking causes inflammation throughout the body
- Smoking produces oxidative stress (which leads to complications)
- Increases belly fat and cortisol levels
Let’s take a closer look.
Insulin is reduced
Whether you are there Non-diabetic Or, smoking a cigarette has a major effect on your insulin sensitivity and significantly increases the risk of non-diabetics of type 2 diabetes.
Nicotine significantly increases the levels of insulin resistance every time Your body is exposed to nicotine. Nicotine is Leave your body After smoking a cigarette.
“We found a linear dose-response relationship between tobacco consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The risk of type 2 diabetes increased by 16% for every increment of 10 cigarettes smoked per day,” he explained. 2017 study from Japan.
“The risk of type 2 diabetes has been suspended in the past five years but has steadily declined with increasing suspension periods and remained high among those who have reached risk levels comparable to the risk levels of smokers following a 10-year ban on smoking.”
The researchers concluded that an estimated 18.8% of men and 5.4% of women with type 2 diabetes resulted from smoking cigarettes.
Simply put, insulin is not very effective when nicotine is present in the body. The more you smoke, the more you need insulin to manage your blood sugar levels.
Systemic inflammation
Smoking also increases insulin resistance by causing enormous inflammation throughout the body.
“Smoking can cause general negative effects on the body, such as inflammation and weakening immune function,” he explains. CDC.
Further studies have recently identified precisely how this inflammation develops.
“Scientists show that nicotine activates certain white blood cells called neutrophils, which releases molecules that lead to increased inflammation,” according to a 2016 study. American Social Federation for Experimental Biology.
The study also gave experts deep insight into the relationship between smoking and autoimmune diseases.
“Because of the direct link between nicotine itself and inflammation, this study has important implications, including that alternative forms of nicotine inhalation, such as vaping lacking other chemicals by tobacco smoke, can still have detrimental immunological effects.”
Creates oxidative stress (continuing to complications)
“Smoking also causes oxidative stress, which is the state in which chemicals from cigarette smoke are combined with oxygen in the body.”
This combination results in additional damage to cells throughout the body.
For All types of diabetesthis is the main reason smoking increases the likelihood of developing diabetic complications.
“Oxidative stress and inflammation have been shown to be a significant risk factor for development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes complications and persistent cell damage,” he explains. 2018 survey from Australia.
“This applies to all diabetic complications, including underlying endothelial dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetes-related atherosclerosis with diabetic cardiomyopathy.”
Additional research from Poland in 2017 Further evidence was found to conclude a direct link between smoking and complications.
“Clear studies of smoking in diabetic patients clearly confirm the increased prevalence and increased risk of early death associated with the onset of large vascular complications.”
Increases belly fat and cortisol
In addition to increasing the need for insulin, it is linked to more Belly fatobesity, and Cortisol. All of that adds to insulin resistance.
“Smokers have no choice but to have a lower average body mass index compared to smokers, but heavy smokers have a more metabolically harmful fat distribution profile. 2012 study from Korea. “This observation reflects the metabolism outcomes of smoking.”
The effect of smoking on cortisol production may initially appear minor, but it is thought to have a significant impact on those at or at risk for type 2 diabetes.
“The effect of smoking on cortisol secretion is small to moderate in size, but this consistent effect can have significant consequences for downstream endocrine function each year over the years,” he explains. Journal of Clinical Indocrinology and Metabolism.
“For example, it suggests that there are potentially moderately elevated cortisol levels observed in smokers. big Effects on glucose and insulin metabolism. ”
No matter the facts or research, cigarettes are extremely addictive. This means that no matter how well you understand their disadvantages about your health, quitting them all together means overcoming many side effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stop smoking: Best Tips for Diabetics
One of the biggest concerns that everyone is likely to have when it comes to quitting smokers is Weight gain. If you have diabetes, that concern is even more effective.
Here are some tips from below Cleveland Clinic’s Tobacco Treatment Center Stop smoking without gaining weight:
Expect big spikes in your appetite
Once you stop smoking, your appetite will increase dramatically. In preparation for this, you should plan beyond simple will. WillPower runs out. Instead, grow yourself well by eating small meals and snacks every 3-4 hours.
Choose mainly whole foods (i.e. real foods) and processed packaged items, and remember to remember the fats and proteins with each meal.
For example, the snack could be peanut butter or an apple with baby carrots and cheese.
The diet should contain careful portions of chewy vegetables and whole grains, filled with fiber along with protein.
The more you can fill your stomach with real foods, especially vegetables, the more stable your blood sugar levels and gain weight.
And don’t forget about the water! Drink, drink, drink. A hydrating body craves far less junk food than a dehydrated body. Drinking water is also a great distraction from those cravings.
Start exercise every day.
If nicotine is present in the body, your metabolism actually increases temporarily. Once you stop smoking, your metabolism will return to normal, natural rates. It would be wise to start exercise regularly to keep your metabolism burning well.
Exercise also plays a major role in overall health, especially insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.
It doesn’t have to be crazy. Stand up and take a walk for 15-30 minutes once a day, for lunch, immediately after work, or after dinner. get up. It’s moving.
Create a new routine when you were smoking.
You may be used to eating cigarettes after a meal. Without this, you feel like you just want to eat, eat, eat.
Or did you use smoking as an excuse to get fresh air midway through work?
Instead, create new rituals and routines for the time you were smoking. Not only do they stand outside the building, they also go for an active walk. Pop minty gum after dinner. Brush your teeth with every meal to create a “You’re finished eating” experience.
If you can identify all the routines you had around smoking activities, write them down and start thinking about them new routine. Willpower alone is not enough.
Occupy your hands and mouth with healthier items.
Just like your routine, smoking had something to do with your mouth and hands (and perhaps your uneasy energy).
You may need to chew raw vegetables (carrots and celery), gum, or always store a pack of mint in your bag.
Reminds: The benefits of quitting outweigh the slight weight gain
Even if you gain a little weight after quitting, the benefits of removing cigarettes from your body and your life will far outweigh the negatives of weight gain.
“There are about 600 ingredients in cigarettes,” the American Lung Association explains. “When you get burned, cigarettes produce more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are toxic.”
If you are taking insulin or other diabetes medication…
Within about two months of quitting smoking, you will find that your insulin needs will begin to collapse and you may experience more hypoglycemia. If you’re eating more and snacking more, this may prevent them from being low.
Anyway, I’ll talk to my doctor in the first month to start quitting smoking and discuss any necessary adjustments to my insulin dose. The more you share your goals, the more support you get!
If you’re ready to change your life and improve your daily feelings, it’s time to stop!
Visit us for more information on exploring to quit smoking Lung.org.