Reversing Effects of Smoking and High fat Diet

Arrhythmias, coagulopathies, myocardial infarction, hypertension, valvular heart disease, and atherosclerosis, and stroke are all referred to as cardiovascular diseases. Cigarette smoking and high fat diet are both high risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Ornish, et. al., 1998). Patients with one or more cardiovascular disease-related risk factors make them vulnerable to serious cardiovascular disease -related complications in the future. In line with this, it is imperative that patients who are already exposed to such risk factors take measures to reverse their effects. Below are five measures that can reverse the adverse effects of smoking and high fat diet (Ornish, et. al., 1998).

  • Quit smoking.  The longer one smokes, the more harm it will cause, thus increasing the risk of developing complications. If the patient quits smoking, they will avoid causing more damage and start the journey to fitness, which will ensure that his body returns to the level of fitness it was before he started smoking (Chen, et, a.l., 2007).
  • Exercise. A full body exercise helps with general fitness, helps burn excess fat in the body, weakens a weak heart, and dilates previously constricted arteries by strengthening a faint heart and hastening the heartbeat.Increasing blood circulation to all vital organs accelerates the repair and healing processes. Exercise also induces coughing, which will drive out any smoke that might still be in the patient’s lungs. Exercising helps burn excess fat that may have accumulated as a result of high fat diet. It also helps reverse some of the adverse effects of poor diet, such as weight gain and obesity (Ornish, et. al., 1998).
  • Eat healthy. The patient’s body will require nutrients that are essential for repairing damaged body tissues that have been damaged by smoking. Consequently, the patient should eat foods that are rich in protein and high in energy production. Smokers have nutrient deficiencies such as lack of vitamin E, C, and calcium, which can be corrected through a healthy diet(Chen, et, al., 2007). Eating healthy can also reduce impact of high fat diet including excessive weight gain.
  • Drink water. Rehydratingensures that the body can repair itself effectively.  The patient should drink at least eight glasses of water daily to facilitate tissue repair and improve metabolism. This will help alleviate adverse impacts of both smoking and high fat diet.
  • Avoid high fat diet.Eating foods that are high in fat content will not only continue to increase the risk of developing complications in future but also undermine any efforts of reversing the damage caused. The patient should avoid such foods so as to reduce that risk and improve metabolism.

Reversing damage caused by smoking and high fat diet will not happen overnight, it takes time. It is thus imperative that the patient is consistent and persistent. Failure to do so will prolong the amount of time required to reverse the damage caused, or even hinder any progress.

 

 

 

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