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
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...