This is a question frequently asked both by those of us who are considering quitting smoking and by those who have recently quit. Sometimes we ask because we want to take up new activities, other times we're unsure if the damage that has already been done is permanent – and thus whether quitting is worth the effort. There are often many questions surrounding the quit smoking movement, but here are answers to these very common ones.
How your Lungs Heal after Smoking
Fortunately reality is in our favor. According to our latest scientific information, our lungs do heal substantially after we quit. Three days after quitting, the little hairs in our lungs called 'cilia' begin to regenerate – even if they've suffered substantial damage. This allows the aveoli to recover, and the result is within three months, we have regained as much as 1/3rd of the original function of our lungs!
In addition to lung capacity is another sometimes less thought of but certainly no less important topic – cancer. Lung cancer is the greatest risk factor associated with smoking. As the cells in your lungs begin to change in response to cigarette chemicals (squamous cell), your risk of all cancer types goes up. And thus if you quit smoking now, your chances of surviving increase significantly.
Diet and Exercise Help Lungs Heal Even More
After you quit smoking, it only makes sense that you follow up with the health benefits of good diet and exercise. Eating several servings of fruits and vegetables every day can speed up the healing process tremendously. They contain anti-oxidants, are low in fat, don't contribute to excess cholesterol, and provide both the macro and micro-nutrients your body needs for recovery.
And as we all know, exercise has been associated with a range of health benefits as well. A regular program will speed the recovery of your cardiovascular system. It will give you more endurance faster than recovery without exercise. And both diet and exercise with further reduce your chances of developing cancer.
Many people have succeeded in quitting with a healthy diet and exercise program and found they felt as good as at any time in their past life. Their greatest realization is that the damage caused by smoking was absolutely no excuse for not terminating this life-sucking habit immediately.
