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Health and Science Editor
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Editor
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Question
Is there a certain life style that might help people to go through Ramadan without smoking? Or certain types of foods?
Answer
There are some word-of –mouth stories (anecdotal evidence) than many people respond well to a diet rich in protein (animal and non animal). A diet like the Paleolithic or Aitkin’s diet are mentioned the most when it comes to a Smoker’s diet.
A Paleolithic diet is rich in non-starchy vegetables, whole grains and various types of proteins. Many smokers turn to sugar or refined carbohydrates to fill in the bio-chemical gap that not smoking leaves. Also, many cigarette companies lace cigarettes with sugar, making it even more difficult to quit. Many holistic healers feel this is why many ex-smokers start to have strong cravings for sweets and bread. Avoiding sweets and other refined carbohydrates should also be part of a smoke free diet.
As for lifestyle, exercise is very important. Starting with a 15 minute walk a few times a day is a good start. Also, keep busy so the smoking habit does not become a time filler.
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Do you think it is better to decrease the number of cigarettes one smokes each day step by step or quitting all at once?
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Yes. By far a slow decrease is the best approach because it will help limit the withdrawal symptoms and make it an easier transition to a smoke free lifestyle.
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In general, how much caffeine is too much?
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Most of the studies that deal with the potential negative effects of caffeine consumption look at anything over 200 mailgrams/day (7 ounces).
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Do people who do not smoke everyday but smoke occasionaly, like those who sometimes smoke hooka (shisha) suffer withdrawal symptoms as well during Ramadan?
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Everyone is biochemically unique, but there really should not be withdrawal symptoms for the occasional smoker.
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Some people drink a cup of tea or coffee before dawn, is this sufficient to prevent withdrawal symptoms?
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If they typically drink 4-5 cups of black tea or coffee a day, they may experience withdrawal symptoms, like headache or nausea during the day. The best thing to do, is from now, gradually decrease your consumption until 1 cup is your normal daily amount.
You can do this by decreasing the amount of time you let the drink brew and by reducing the amount of tea or coffee you add in. Also, say if you drink 6 ounces at a time, day one decrease one of the cups by 1 ounce until you get to zero and then start on the next cup and do the same thing.
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Do you recommend complete caffeine cessation or only before and during Ramadan then afterwards people can consume caffeine once again?
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I do not recommend quitting "cold-turkey (all at once) for people that drink more than 3 cups of a caffeinated beverage. It really is difficult for many people and it is an unnecessary burden to the body when it is already being asked to fast.
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If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is drinking 2 or 3 cups of tea or coffee each day, would this affect her baby?
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Yes, in most women it would because that is a lot of caffeine for a small body. The baby may have trouble sleeping, not sleep for long, have fitful sleep, appetite issues or may have colic.
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How much time is sufficient to quit smoking before Ramadan to begin fasting with minimal withdrawal symptoms?
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That will really depend on how much a person smokes a day and how committed they are to stopping. I would also like to mention that it will also depend on how much of the person's brain chemistry is being affected. Some people can just stop, some take weeks or months. But in general, the more you smoke each day, the longer it will take to quit.
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Is it ok to give children caffeinated drinks such as black or green tea?
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It is best to avoid giving them caffeinated beverages, which includes caffeinated sodas and excessive amounts of chocolate.
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What hot drinks do you recommend as a substitute to caffeinated drinks?
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I really like Teecino for taste and success rate. It is available at: http://www.teeccino.com/Default.aspx
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Is there anything natural one can take to decrease the severity of the withdrawal symptoms one suffers from after quitting caffeine or smoking?
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Acupuncture can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms for both nicotine and caffeine. Also buffered vitamin C up to 3000 mg. Magnesium can also help with the headaches as well as a soak in Epson salts (they are magnesium). Ginseng can also help.
Some people find relief taking a homeopathic remedy called Crave, Nico-Free (there are many) for nicotine. For Caffeine there is Caffeine Detox and similar products. You want to consult with a trained Homeopathic doctor for the best dose and remedy.
It is also important to drink water and rest.
You may wonder why the recommendations are the same; this is because the same part of the brain is being affected by both caffeine and nicotine.
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Do you recommend Nicotine patches for those who wish to quit smoking?
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If it is the ONLY solution than it is better than nothing, but it is not one of the recommendations I would start with.
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Does orange/apple juice really works as an alternative to caffeine?
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Some people swear by it, but I think it indicates that there is a vitamin C deficiency. Many people who over use caffeine have an underlying adrenal problem. Caffeine will force the adrenals to work, but vitamin C nourishes this gland.
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Are there any natural energy boosting alternatives to caffeine?
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Vitamins can provide a boost, as can exercise:
Ginseng
Digestive enzymes
Raw vegetables
Green and red powders
Apple cider vinegar
Avoid skipping meals
Drink plenty of water
Make sure you are not anemic
Sleep
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Layla
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I have been smoking for 35 five years. My skin is dry and my hair too.Imagine how is my lung!I've never quit smoking. I can't.Give me a light.Need to stop.I wake upe thinking in a cigarette.Sometimes I get angry with myself because of this.I am a woman in my fifties.Is there any hope for me?Please, help me.
Thanks a lot. Salam
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum Sister,
The most important thing is to not see this as a moral failure. It is more productive to view it as an imbalance in brain chemistry. The nicotine is supplying your body/brain with something it needs and this need is not being met in a healthy way.
You can try decreasing by one cigarette a day for the first week. Also, take a mineral rich vitamin supplement, (magnesium, the B vitamins and vitamin C are also important). For diet, look into a Paleolithic diet, you can find out more at; http://www.westonaprice.org/
You want to add in these healthful activities to prevent your body from being deficient in these nutrients and causing cravings. This may not seem related, but I would recommend reading "Potatoes not Prozac" by Kathleen DesMaisons.
There are also various homeopathic remedies that I mentioned that can help. Also aromatherapy essential oils like:
Lavender
Chamomile
Nicotiana
Angelica
You would just smell these when you get a craving.
The most important thing is to always to believe you can quit and imagine yourself doing it and ask for the help of Allah subhanahu wa taallah.
