
Mailbag! The Ugly Truth About E-Cigs
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
Ease Anxiety with THIS Belly Hack
I’m always encouraging patients to focus on their gastrointestinal health. It’s often overlooked—and well-balanced belly bugs are vital for overall good health. So I’m not surprised that I’ve seen a lot of folks lately who have told me that working on their gut balance has been absolutely LIFE-CHANGING. But it’s NOT in the way you’re...
Is Fish Oil Enough? (What You Might be Missing Out On)
I love talking about the active elements in foods because it highlights the powerful health benefits of those individual ingredients. Take fish oil, for instance. If you search the Living Well Daily archives, you’d likely find THOUSANDS of references to this golden fish extract. Fish oil contains the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and...
The STUNNING Truth About Back Pain
“I feel like I can barely do anything anymore because of my back pain. I’m always taking pain meds. What else can help?” – Ed, Huntsville, AL Hi Ed, Brace yourself. What I’m about to tell you about back pain will no doubt come as a surprise. It might even seem downright unbelievable at first....
FILTHY FACTS About Your Cell Phone
Taking a trip to the bathroom used to be a break from the chaos of daily life. It’s likely at least partially responsible for the nickname restroom. After all, there wasn’t much to do in that room unless you had a magazine to read. But nowadays, for many of us, the restroom is anything BUT...
EAR Test Protects Your BRAIN?
Hearing loss has a habit of sneaking up on folks. Typically, it happens so slowly that you don’t notice it until you’ve lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of hearing. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 8 percent of adults 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. That number jumps to 25 percent for people...
Missing "Lucky Penny" Mineral Harms Your Heart
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Some nutrients get all the glory. There are the vitamin A-Listers like C, D, and E. And although minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium might be considered B-List stars, they ALSO get their fair share of attention. But one vital nutrient never gets to walk the red carpet. And that...
Risk of Stroke SURGES 50% Worldwide?!
It’s NOT good news. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that the chance of having a stroke has skyrocketed by a whopping 50 percent in the last twenty years. According to the WHO, that means your stroke risk is now about one in four. Next time you’re in a crowd, look...
Is Tofu GOOD for You? (The Truth REVEALED)
I often wonder why so many people are passionate about tofu. There’s something about it that triggers strong emotions. Some folks HATE it, while others LOVE it. But is it good for you? Well, it’s complicated. Tofu is a fermented soy product. It tastes bland alone. But it takes on the taste of whatever you...
Bizarre New Cell Phone Risk (Beware)
I sometimes joke with my (adult) kids. “Do you know,” I ask, “that the PHONE you carry around with you all the time can make phone calls?” They laugh and mumble, “Old,” under their breath. I swear the generations who grew up with a cell phone attached to their palm will do almost anything to...
MAILBAG: Crush COPD Symptoms NATURALLY
“Got any natural treatments for COPD?” – Mike, Ann Arbor, MI Dear Mike, Unfortunately, COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, is a common condition. In fact, it’s now the third leading cause of death in the United States. COPD causes the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult or uncomfortable. Persistent coughing, excess mucus production, wheezing,...