Smoking and Vaping are a nightmare for Diabetics.

#Genesisprimecarediabetescare Why Smoking and Vaping Make Diabetes Harder To Control

While smoking is bad for anyone’s health, its effects on blood sugar levels, blood pressure and the heart can make short and long-term effects of diabetes worse.

Smoking can make the progression of both diabetes and heart disease worse.

The major risk is not lung cancer but the bad effect on blood sugar management and insulin resistance; increasing not only heart disease but other complications as well. According to the American Lung Association, the percentage of American adults and teens who smoke cigarettes regularly has steadily declined. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes use in this population is exploding; including an increase in middle and high schools..

According to the CDC; smokers are 30% to 40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who do not smoke. A study reported that nicotine, the highly addictive chemical in cigarettes and e-cigarettes, activates the part of the nervous system responsible for the “fight or flight” response. This releases adrenaline and other hormones that cause glucose and blood pressure levels to rise.

Cigarette smoking can also make your body more resistant to insulin, which can have significant effects on your heart and blood vessels. Cigarettes can raise your risk for plaque buildup in the blood vessels, leading to a heart attack or stroke. This can also lead to a condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which reduces blood flow to the legs and arms, increasing the risk for amputation.

With microvascular complications, which include kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye disease; vaping has been known to cause other health issues such as vaping-associated lung injuries, and most e-cigarettes still contain highly addictive levels of nicotine and other unknown substances. The sharp increase in e-cigarette use is primarily among youth, who are often introduced to vaping without any prior habit of cigarette smoking.

The following techniques and products can help you quit once and for all and improve your diabetes management:

• Talk to your healthcare provider to see if medications may help you.

• Nicotine patches: on the surface of your skin that slowly releases a steady amount of nicotine into your body; Nicotine gum which can release a small dose of nicotine as you chew; or Nicotine lozenges which dissolvable tablets taken orally

• Having support from friends or family can help make it easier to quit. Reach out to a trusted friend, or if any friends or family members also smoke, consider quitting together and leaning on one another for support throughout the process.

It is common for people to gain weight immediately after they stop smoking. Because of this, focus on getting plenty of exercise and managing your weight as you work to wean yourself off of cigarettes and vapes. Before using any of these tools, talk with your healthcare provider about the methods that are best for you, weighing the benefits and risks of each one. Additionally, discuss any changes in your diabetes management because like any significant lifestyle change, quitting smoking can lead to changes in glucose levels. From https://diatribe.org/why-smoking-and-vaping-make-diabetes-harder Published: 4/11/22

Once you quit or at least are making progress, reward yourself:

1. Buy some new clothes.

2. Sign up for a class like photography, painting, or cooking.

3. Take a road trip.

4. Go to a movie with people who support your quit journey.

5. Or make a smoothie, sit back, and enjoy it, smoke and vape-free

A perfect combination for a smoothie that keeps blood sugar stable and still taste delicious! Can by used a dessert, drink, or main dish for breakfast or lunch

Total Time 5 minutes Servings 1 smoothie is 167 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 5 medium strawberry

• 1 cup unsweetened soy milk (or unsweetened almond milk)

• 1/2 cup low-fat Greek-style yogurt (CHECK LABEL AND MAKE SURE SUGAR IS 7 GRAMS OR BELOW)

• 6 ice cubes

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Pour into a glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Nutrition Facts Amount Per Serving/% Daily Value*

Sodium 161mg/7%

Potassium 520mg15%

Carbohydrates 11g/4% (1 serving of carbs is 15 grams)

Fiber 2g/8%

Sugar 6g/7%

Protein 16g/32%

Vitamin A 1050IU21%

Vitamin C 49.5mg60%

Calcium 400mg40%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tips

• When using frozen fruits there is no need to add ice as the smoothie is already chilled with fruits. While using fresh fruits adding few ice cubes will help in making a frothier and extra creamy smoothie.

• Use frozen fruits to get a thicker & frothier smoothie.

• Add protein powder as per dietary restrictions. It adds value and makes the smoothie a wholesome meal. (May also add flax or whey to add protein)