It is well known that cigarette smoking has adverse effects on your body, notably its association with lung cancer.
But bone damages are the least publicized effect of smoking cigarettes.
Osteoporosis
Cigarette smokers are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
Recent studies have found that tobacco use decreases your bone density.
Cigarette smoke produces excessive amounts of two proteins triggering the natural body process of breaking down bone.
And the toxins in cigarette smoke weakened your bones by affecting the activity of osteoblasts, the cells that build new bone and osteoclasts which break down old bone.
Smokers produce unusually large amounts of two proteins that foster the production of bone-resorbing osteoclasts compared to non-smokers.
Osteoporosis or weakening of the bones increases your risk of fractures and is a major cause of disability among older people.
Fracture and bone healing
Nicotine affect the stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells) stored in your bone marrow.
These stem cells are needed in healing an injured bone and they are building blocks for your tissues.
The first step in bone healing is for mesenchymal stem cells to transform into cartilage-forming cells.
They formed up around the fracture or crack and gradually fill in and harden into bone.
It takes about three months for the fractured bone to heal.
Nicotine causes cartilage to over produce which in return caused havoc to the healing process making healing process ends up taking longer.
And your bones are nourished by your blood, similar with other parts of your organs and tissues in your body.
Nutrients, minerals and oxygen are supplied to your bones via the blood stream.
Smoking increased the levels of nicotine in your blood and this causes the blood vessels to shrink.
Because of this constriction, the nutrients supplied to your bones decreases.
Giving rise to a condition affecting the healing of fractured bone because your bones need more oxygen and nutrients to heal during fractures as osteotomy healing are not met thus prolonged the union time.
Smoking also increases the levels of hormone cortisol that leads to bone breakdown because it impedes the production of hormone calcitonin bone building hormone.
Nicotine and free radicals in cigarette smoke kill osteoblasts the bone-making cells.
Exercise for your bone
Like muscles, your bones are living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger.
Weight bearing exercise that forces you to work against gravity is the best exercise for your bone.
Some examples include:
* Walking
* climbing stairs
* weight training
* and dancing.
Simple but regular exercise such as walking, may help you prevent bone loss and will provide you many other health benefits.
Posted by: Mo Salle
Article Resource:
• Quit smoking for faster bone healing?
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