Cigarette Toxin in Your Food?!

Dear Reader,

I’m sure you, like many folks, know that there are numerous harmful chemicals in cigarettes.

But a lot of people would be surprised to find some of the toxins found in cigarette smoke are also found in many of the foods they eat.

One toxin in particular increases your risk from dying from flu or pneumonia.

Here’s what you need to know.

Cadmium is a common toxin found in cigarette smoke. But researchers were surprised to find it in both smokers and non-smokers.

Scientists at the University of Michigan School of Public Health have begun warning people that smokers aren’t the only one being exposed to cadmium high levels.

Cadmium is a naturally occurring mineral that is used to make batteries and solar cells. Because manufacturers are far from neat, the metal can seep into ground and water sources (and then into your body).

And this study, released in a Journal called Environmental Health Perspectives, found both smokers and non-smokers need to reduce their exposure to this harmful toxin.

The researchers point to the large number of people in China who were dying because they were smokers.

They pooled information from 16,000 people who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

They measured their cadmium levels and then asked where they were smokers and they followed them for years. Smokers who had high cadmium level were 15 percent more likely to die from flu and pneumonia.  Among non-smokers only, patients with the highest levels of cadmium were 27 percent more likely to die from a viral infection.

While researchers aren’t completely certain, they believe people are expose to cadmium from the food they eat (probable culprits: rice, animal organs like liver and kidneys, and soybeans) which is another good reason to eat organic foods whenever possible.

See, one of the problems with cadmium is it is really easy to absorb into your body, but very hard to get rid of (so it tends to accumulate as we grow older).

Long-term exposure to cadmium can harm your immune system, especially your lungs. Researchers also found that cadmium exposure makes flu and pneumonia worse. And one of the study authors suspects it could also worsen symptoms of COVID-19.

You can protect your lungs by drinking green tea, using steam therapy (involves inhaling water vapor to open your airways) and by exercising. Foods that fight inflammation like, leafy greens, turmeric and blueberries are also great for respiratory health.

P.S. If you’re wanting to protect your lungs and respiratory health then you’ll want to read this article about a household villain that might be wrecking your lungs.

 

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense

Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...

Read This

Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life

You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...

Read This

Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits

I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...

Read This

The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”

You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...

Read This

Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First

“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this?  I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...

Read This

Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance

Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...

Read This

Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty

Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....

Read This

Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...

Read This

The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....

Read This

The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health

I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...

Read This