We have all been exposed to second hand smoke at some time or another. Fortunately new legislation is coming into place which will reduce the amount of smoke we are exposed to, however we will not be able to prevent exposure to second hand smoke permanently so we need to take action in our lives to prevent the amount of damage we are exposed to.

Second hand smoking is commonly known as passive smoking which means you are breathing in the tobacco smoke off another person. The dangers of passive smoking have only been known over the last couple of decades and this new knowledge is bringing about changes to protect those who do not want to be exposed to the smoke.

There are two main groups which are at a higher risk of damage which include pregnant women and children. Pregnant women who breathe in second hand smoke are at a greater risk of having a child with a low birth weight. Unfortunately children are often forgotten in this argument and many parents who do smoke continue to smoke in front of their child, which means some children are continually exposed to it when they are at home or in the car. Children’s lungs are so delicate, as they are continually growing so parents who do smoke should be encouraged not to do it in front of their children. Children who are exposed to passive smoking at home are at a greater risk of developing SIDS, croup, bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia.

People who are exposed to passive smoking on a regular basis are at a higher risk of developing arteriosclerosis which is a disease that causes the narrowing of the arteries. Passive smoker’s risk of developing lung cancer is also increased by 20% to 30% compared with those who are not exposed to second hand smoke and they are at a higher risk of suffering from a stroke.

Most of us cannot avoid cigarette smoke indefinitely as we may have family, friends or a working environment where you can not avoid the smoke. When this is the case certain supplements can help reduce the risk of damage by boosting our bodies defence against the damage of second hand smoking. Some of these supplements can include co-enzyme Q10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium. All of these supplements can act as anti-oxidants which can neutralise the free radicals which are created by either smoking tobacco first hand or as second hand. It is these free radicals which often cause most of the damage within our bodies and the antioxidants become depleted by trying to neutralise the free radicals, so they may need to be supplemented to ensure that you have adequate amounts available to be used by the body.

Recipes supplied courtesy of the "Golden Door Health Retreat"

Golden Door Muesli Bars

(Makes 16: Per serve = 147cal/2.25gm fat)

Ingredients:

1 cup organic rolled oats

¼ cup almonds

1 cup dried apricots

1 cup dried apples

1 cup pitted dates

½ cup organic sultanas

2 Figs

½ orange, juiced.

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients except orange juice in a food processor until well combined.
2. Add orange juice a little at a time until mixture lightly sticks together.
3. Press mixture into a small lamington tin lined with greaseproof paper.
4. Refrigerate overnight and then cut into small portions.