Mailbag! The Ugly Truth About E-Cigs
By
Natalie Moore
Posted May 18, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you. We’ve known for decades that cigarettes can damage your heart and send your cancer risk through the roof.
And these days it seems easier than ever to ditch the cancer sticks — all you have to do is pick up a handy electronic cigarette and forget about the health risks.
But as it turns out — this couldn’t be further from the truth.
You see, researchers from some top universities just discovered that e-cigs could put you on the fast track to cancer.
Let’s dive in…
Hi Natalie,
My husband just quit smoking. He’s now vaping with an e-cig to help with cravings. I’ve heard these are much safer than their tobacco counterparts but have my suspicions, since the cartridges contain loads of chemicals. Do you know if e-cigs can cause cancer?
Thanks!
Darlene V.
Great question, Darlene. Many folks question the safety of e-cigs.
And with good reason…
Vaping, the term to describe using an e-cig, has been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking since jump street. But the only problem is — there are almost no regulations about what goes into the liquid cartridges that fuel them.
So it’s no surprise that some recent research shows they can flood your body with carcinogens.
For the study, researchers compared the urine of e-cigarette users with that of nonsmokers, specifically looking for otoluidine and 2-naphthylamine, two dangerous chemicals known to cause bladder cancer.
After the results came back from the lab, the researchers were shocked…
Ninety-two percent of the e-cigarette users were positive for both otoluidine and 2-naphthylamine.
Of course, the nonsmokers were negative for the chemicals.
But the bad news doesn’t end there…
Other research shows that e-cigs can contain up to 42 chemicals, including known cancer-causing chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde and N-nitrosonornicotine.
What’s worse, many of these chemicals are emitted through secondhand smoke. This mean just being around someone vaping could be dangerous for your health.
Further research is needed to prove a direct link between e-cigs and cancer, but with ingredients like these, the writing’s on the wall.
If you’re trying to quit smoking, give 5-HTP a shot. This powerful supplement has been shown to help fight cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
You can find 5-HTP at natural health stores or through vitacost.com.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Harmful Chemicals in Electronic Cigarettes
[2] E-Cigarettes Linked to Bladder Cancer Risk
[3] Carcinogens Found in Urine of e-Cigarette Users
[4] 5-Hydroxytryptophan attenuates somatic signs of nicotine withdrawal.
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...
Mailbag: Break Free from Cholesterol Lowering Statins
“What’s my alternative to a statin drug for cholesterol control? I’ve been suggested to take Red Yeast Rice a natural cholesterol control. Best way to keep my arteries clear of plaque?” – Skipping Statins Hi Skipping, I don’t need to tell you how vital cardiovascular health is. However, the medical establishment insists that the only path...