5 Vitamins That Help The Lungs Recover After You Quit Smoking

 

Every smoker is aware of the adverse effect of smoking on the health of the lungs. The toxins that enter the bloodstream when you smoke harms the other organs of your body as well, especially the heart and the brain. Therefore, it is always advisable to quit smoking. Once you stop smoking, you need certain nutrients that help in recovering your damaged lungs and improving their function. Furthermore, smoking causes depletion of a number of vitamins, leading to deficiencies of these vital nutrients.

The Following Vitamins Are Best Known To Help The Lungs Recover After You Stop Smoking:

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known to help in reducing your urge to smoke.[1] Hence, it is considered effective in managing the withdrawal symptoms that occur when you quit smoking. Furthermore, smoking significantly depletes the concentration of vitamin C in the body tissues. Hence, you need additional vitamin C to reduce the adverse effect of smoking on your health.

2. Choline

Choline or vitamin B4 is also known to help in reducing nicotine cravings when you quit smoking.[2] Fish, meat, poultry, egg and dark leafy greens are good sources of choline. Increasing intake of this B vitamin helps in improving synthesis of brain chemicals that help in reducing nicotine craving.

3. Folic Acid

Folic acid or vitamin B9 deficiency reduces the concentration of folic acid in the lung tissues. Folic acid is known to help in improving the function of the lungs. It helps in inhibiting production of inflammatory proteins that damage the lungs.[3] Moreover, folic acid helps in improving arterial function. To help improve the functions of the lungs and the heart, add foods rich in folic acid to your diet.

4. Vitamin E

Smoking damages the lungs as well as the heart.[4] Vitamin E as a powerful antioxidant helps in repairing the damaged tissues of the lungs and the heart. It is also known to help in strengthening the immune system and reducing risk of cancers, which tends to be higher in smokers.

5. Vitamin D

Smoking damages the lungs and increases risk of cancer. Vitamin D is known to help in lowering risk of lung cancer.[5] Increasing intake of foods rich in vitamin D and supplements seems to help in reducing the lung cancer risk. Vitamin D is found in fish, liver, egg yolk and fortified foods.