Mailbag! More Bad News About E-Cigs
By
Natalie Moore
Posted June 15, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
A while back, we answered your questions about cancer and e-cigarettes. (In case you missed it, e-cigs are loaded with carcinogens and are linked to bladder cancer. Surprise, surprise.)
Today, we are going to tackle another reader concern about e-cigs — DNA damage.
Let’s dive in…
Hey Natalie,
I recently read your article about how e-cigs might cause bladder cancer. It got me thinking about what else e-cigs can do to your body. I know regular tobacco cigarettes can damage your DNA. Do you know if e-cigs have the same effect?
Thanks in advance,
Peggy S.
Great question, Peggy.
You’re correct, tobacco smoking is linked to extensive DNA damage, which can speed up the aging process and even increase your risk of cancer.
And according to groundbreaking research from the University of Connecticut, e-cigs are just as dangerous.
In a recent lab study, scientists tested the liquid used in e-cigarettes on human DNA. They used liquid that contained nicotine and liquid that was nicotine-free.
After careful analysis, the researchers were shocked to find that the non-nicotine liquid caused as much damage to DNA as a filtered cigarette.
And the bad news only gets worse…
The nicotine liquid did as much damage as unfiltered cigarette.
This means that smoking an e-cig is no safer than puffing on a Marlboro when it comes to messing up your DNA.
Experts concluded that amount and duration of e-cig smoking play a role in the amount of DNA damage done, just like with tobacco smoking.
But there’s more to worry about — there are almost no regulations about what goes into the liquid cartridges that fuel them. So the additional chemicals in e-cigs could have the potential to cause more harm than conventional smoking.
Bottom line, e-cigs aren’t safe.
And you don’t have to wait around for more research to tell you so.
If you’re trying to quit smoking, try L-tryptophan. One study shows it can help reduce your anxiety and withdrawal symptoms when you decide to quit.
You can find L-tryptophan supplements at your local pharmacy.
Do you have health questions you want answered? Drop me a line: feedback@livingwelldaily.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] Smoking causes extensive damage to DNA, study shows
[2] E-cigarettes potentially as harmful as tobacco cigarettes, UConn study shows
[3] L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioral Research and Therapeutic Indications
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...