“A multi-option approach” to quitting smoking

Dr. Ruslan Isayev, a specialist in psychology and pharmacology, explains: “This decrease is due to tobacco combustion products causing severe oxidative stress, which rapidly consumes vitamin C, one of the main antioxidants, to neutralize free radicals. Additionally, smoking accelerates the metabolism of ascorbic acid and increases its excretion.”

The doctor advises smokers to consume larger amounts of vitamin C compared to non-smokers, clarifying that their daily requirement increases by about 35 mg compared to general population recommendations.

Isayev adds: “It should be emphasized that vitamin C deficiency caused by smoking cannot be compensated by food or supplements alone. The benefits include maintaining the immune system, vascular and skin health, and protecting the body with antioxidants. However, the harmful effects of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system, heart, and blood vessels remain, meaning the additional dose of vitamin C does not cancel out the harm of smoking but only compensates for its increased consumption.”