Smoking And Weight Loss

Without overlooking all the important harmful effects that smoking causes in a person’s body, it can be said that there is a connection between smoking and weight loss – at least in the short-term.  Long-term weight loss does not normally occur in smokers because of the resulting unhealthiness and bad habits which actually lead to weight gain. 

In many instances, weight loss from smoking is more of a secondary result than a primary result.  Smoking is a diversionary tactic that often interrupts eating patterns.  Often snack breaks and even meals are shortened or missed to take time to smoke.  Diverting eating to smoking reduces caloric intake and can lead to weight loss.

The mind is a powerful tool so many people feel psychologically that smoking helps them to lose weight.  Smoking is more of a placebo than actual weight loss tool.  However, if someone thinks psychologically they are aiding weight loss, and then sometimes the weight loss does appear, but not primarily and directly from smoking.

Weight loss may result from smoking because the senses of taste and smell are adversely affected.  Smoking can dim both taste and smell which makes foods less appealing and leads to reduce caloric intake.  Depriving physical senses can result in weight loss, but this is not considering all the additional harmful side effects that result from smoking.

Physical effects on vital human systems from smoking do occur.  Blood pressure and heart rate is elevated and increased.  Gastric motility will rise.  Insulin levels in the bloodstream can be lowered.  Increases in metabolic rates do burn calories and can facilitate weight loss.  It should be noted that it is nicotine that produces these effects and not everything else that is found in cigarette smoke.

Nicotine is a known appetite suppressant.  It is the nicotine that lowers insulin levels.  Nicotine will increase adrenaline to the stomach’s musculature so that there will be a temporary feeling of less hunger.   Cravings for food can thus be reduced.  The main problem with nicotine is its addictive characteristics.

Weight loss is a complicated issue and can become even more complicated when considered in conjunction with smoking.  The best way to lose weight is with proper diet and exercise coupled with a strong stress reduction program.  Pursuing these effective avenues will produce better and longer lasting weight loss results than smoking both in the short-term and the long-term.

Smoking for any reason has to been seen as a poor health choice.  Nicotine addiction can be a lifelong struggle.  However, some people do not have a problem with nicotine addiction if it helps them reduce stress and burn calories.  Many people are turning to alternative ways to ingest nicotine other than from cigarette smoking.  Some of the alternatives are products like nicotine gum and electronic cigarettes.  Both products, because of the nicotine dispersed can be considered as weight loss aids.  They should not be seen as the primary tool in any normal weight loss/control program.