If you’ve ever spent time around a group of dancers or models, you might have been surprised at the number of them with a nicotine habit. Why would people who need to take such good care of their bodies smoke? One reason is that nicotine can be an appetite suppressant, which means it may help people lose weight or keep weight off. It increases metabolism and reduces the number of calories absorbed. It also lowers insulin levels in the blood, which can decrease cravings for sugary foods. Since nicotine is a stimulant, it could briefly increase energy levels, leading to more physical activity. Nicotine gum has similar effects and is sometimes used by non-smokers as a weight loss aid. World Health Organization Monitoring Cardiac Disease surveys found that there was no population in which smokers had a higher BMI than nonsmokers.
Of course, even if smoking does help a person lose a little weight, the health risks still far outweigh the benefits. The life expectancy of obese smokers is 13 years less than that of normal-weight nonsmokers. The Federal Trade Commission prohibits cigarette manufacturers from labeling their products as having weight loss benefits.
Conversely, quitting nicotine can lead to weight gain. On average, people who stop smoking gain about 10 pounds. Physically, your metabolism slows back down, and you may have less energy to do physical things. You may also find that without something to do with your hands and mouth, you end up eating more. Quitting can also improve how well you smell and taste the food, which makes eating more appealing.
If you’re planning on quitting, develop a diet and exercise program ahead of time. Keep sugar-free gum, candies, or mints on hand for when you feel the need to put something in your mouth. Ask yourself if you really are hungry before you eat, or if you’re just trying to satisfy a craving. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water. Hydration not only boosts metabolism, it can help fight nicotine cravings.
In contrast with nicotine, Alcohol can make it harder for your body to burn fat. Alcohol gets broken down into acetate, which your body will burn before any other type of calorie you eat or have stored, including fat and sugar. Say you go out to a bar and order a few platters of appetizers and a pitcher of beer. All of the calories from those fried foods are going to be stored instead of burned because your body is getting all its energy from the acetate instead.
Even if you’re young and fit now, studies show that people who drink heavily when they’re younger have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese when they’re older. Heavy drinkers had a 41 percent higher risk of going from a normal BMI to an overweight BMI and a 36 percent higher risk of going from an overweight BMI to an obese BMI by the time they hit their mid-twenties. An individual who was already obese had a 35 percent higher risk of staying that way or gaining more weight.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, call Asana Recovery at (949) 438-4504 to learn about our medical detox and residential and outpatient therapy programs.
