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Nicotine and Metabolic Health: Unveiling the Long-Term Risks

Zach Zenner
close up of hand holding a smoking cigar
Photo by oday on Pexels.com

Introduction:

Nicotine, found in cigarettes, vapes, cigars and oral pouches, is often used for enhancing focus, suppressing appetite, and managing weight. However, if you’re using nicotine thinking it’s harmless, you might want to reconsider. Nicotine and metabolic health don’t mix. Recent studies highlight that while nicotine may provide short-term perks, chronic use can lead to significant metabolic health issues.

Nicotine’s Short-Term Benefits vs. Long-Term Risks:

Weight Management: Nicotine can temporarily reduce appetite and boost metabolism, leading to a smaller body. However, this often comes at a cost, with research showing an increase in belly fat. This redistribution of body fat to belly fat is linked to increased risks of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. The 2024 Monitoring the Future Survey indicates a rise in nicotine pouch use among youth, highlighting the importance of these metabolism impacts (Source: truthinitiative.org).

Energy and Focus: Nicotine stimulates the release of catecholamines, offering a quick energy boost and heightened concentration. Yet, this can mask the detrimental metabolic changes like insulin resistance, which a 2023 study in “Nicotine & Tobacco Research” suggests might worsen with prolonged exposure.

Nicotine and Metabolic Health:

Chronic nicotine use initially leads to an increase in fat cell breakdown and more fat in the bloodstream. It also disrupts fat metabolism by blocking the effect of insulin. This leads to impaired mitochondrial function, the energy engine of the cell. With mitochondrial function impaired fat accumulation starts to occur. Essentially nicotine users are getting worse at using their stored energy (fat). This could explain why, despite lower body weight, nicotine users might have a higher waist-to-hip ratio, a marker for metabolic syndrome (Source: Diabetes Journal).

The latest research from the American Heart Association in 2023 underscores that nicotine can lead to insulin resistance, increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes, a condition already more prevalent among smokers than non-smokers. Nicotine and metabolic health impacts have been seen at just 3.2 mg of nicotine per day.

Exploring Healthier Alternatives:

Exercise: Regular exercise not only aids in weight control but also significantly enhances cognitive function and energy levels in ways that are sustainable and health-promoting. More blood flow to the muscles means more blood flow to the brain and better cognitive function.

Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for metabolic health, mental performance, and energy regulation, providing a healthier alternative to nicotine for maintaining focus and vitality. In other words, don’t use nicotine as crutch for poor sleep.

Hydration: Many people simply don’t drink enough water. Proper hydration can positively impact brain function potentially leading to less nicotine use. Water isn’t all you should be focused on either. Electrolytes like sodium are essential for proper hydration (see our Sweat Test article for more on hydration: https://zion-performance.com/sweat-test-by-precision-hydration/)

Consider the Long-Term:

The allure of nicotine’s immediate effects can blind users to its long-term health implications. Even new “guilt-free” nicotine products carry risks, with some containing potentially harmful chemicals like ammonia and formaldehyde, although in low concentrations (Source: BMC Chemistry).

Conclusion:

If you’re relying on nicotine for energy or weight control, it’s time to look at the bigger picture. Chronic use can lead to serious metabolic dysfunctions despite initial benefits. Healthier lifestyle choices like exercise, good sleep hygiene, and proper hydration offer sustainable benefits without the risks.

To explore natural methods for boosting your energy and focus, book a call with us at ZION Performance https://zionperformance.practicebetter.io/#/6323284e877e5c76a519deac/bookings . On the call we will discuss how you can enhance your health and mental performance without nicotine.

References:

  1. Nicotine and Insulin Resistance: When the Smoke Clears. Diabetes. 2012 Dec;61(12):3078-80: https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/61/12/3078/33680/Nicotine-and-Insulin-Resistance-When-the-Smoke
  2. Consequences of smoking for body weight, body fat distribution, and insulin resistance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009 Dec;87(4):801-9: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18400700/
  3. Sympathomimetic Effects of Acute E-Cigarette Use: Role of Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Constituents. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2017 Jul;6(7): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28931527/
  4. “Activation of AMPKα2 in adipocytes is essential for nicotine-induced insulin resistance in vivo”. Nature Medicine. 2015 Apr;21(4):373-82: https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.3826
  5. “Novel and Reversible Mechanisms of Smoking-Induced Insulin Resistance in Humans”. Diabetes. 2012 Dec;61(12):3156-66: https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/61/12/3156/33733/Novel-and-Reversible-Mechanisms-of-Smoking-Induced
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  13. Back S, Masser AE, Rutqvist LE, Lindholm J. Harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in two novel nicotine pouch products in comparison with regular smokeless tobacco products and pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapy products (NRTs). BMC Chem. 2023 Mar 3;17(1):9. doi: 10.1186/s13065-023-00918-1. PMID: 36869349; PMCID: PMC9985244
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