Because I have had several family members die from lung cancer, not to mention my father who has smoked a couple packs a day for nearly 45 years now, I am very encouraging of people who want (and try!) to quit smoking.  I don’t think less of people who DO smoke, and I understand it’s a terribly difficult addition and process to quit, but I would hate to see more people I love go thru what I watched others I loved do.

I found this timeline of what happens to your health & body when you quit smoking and I hope that those trying to quit find hope and encouragement in the positive results that occur even moments after you stop.

Within 20 Minutes
Your blood pressure will return to normal

In 8 hours
The carbon monoxide levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal

In 48 hours
Your chance of having a heart attack will begin to decline.  All nicotine will have left your body.  Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level

In 72 hour
Your bronchial tubes will relax, and your over-all energy level will rise

In 2 weeks
Your circulation will increase, and will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks

In 3 - 9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%

In 1 year
Your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped in half

In 5 years
Your risk of having a stroke returns to normal levels as that of a non-smoker

In 10 years
Your risk of lung cancer will return to that of a non-smoker

In 15 years
Your risk of heart attack will return to that of a non-smoker
Now if I can just find the same beneficial timeline for quitting caffeine, I would have a much easier time getting off my Mountain Dew addition!

Butylated hydroxytoluene is a mouthful to say and, as it turns out, that’s exactly where we put it. In addition to being used to make plastic wrap and jet fuel, the preservative is added to chewing gum, cereal, beer, and edible fats and oils. It also appears in cosmetic products, from lipstick to lotion.

The Environmental Working Group classifies BHT as a kidney, skin, and liver toxicant, and while the FDA approves its use at low levels, plaly it safe and limit your intake.

This PSA brought to you by me. Because I care. (no really I do).