 Vitamin C (with bioflavonoids)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid or ascorbate) is a vital water soluble nutrient that our body needs, but is unable to synthesize on its own, and therefore, must be supplemented through dietary sources like fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C plays an important role in the growth and repair of tissues, wound healing, in the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth, as well as, the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.[i] Another crucial function of ascorbic acid is its antioxidant capability, which protects cells and tissues from oxidative damage Ironically, not only does smoking cause oxidative stress, it also greatly depletes vitamin C levels due to an accelerated metabolic turnover of ascorbate in smokers compared to non-smokers.[ii] Similar findings occurred in a Korean study also comparing smokers and non-smokers.[iii] According to a Berkeley study, 40% of male smokers have reduced Plasma levels of vitamin C.[iv] Other researches thought theses low – levels may have been the result of decreased dietary intake, because smokers tend to eat less fruits and vegetables; but after making adjustments for dietary intakes. They still found lower plasma levels of ascorbate in smokers than non-smokers.[v] [vi] Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol-10) CoQ10 is an important lipid-soluble antioxidant involved in cellular functions, the production of cellular energy, and the scavenging of free radicals.[vii] Some studies suggest that there is a decline in CoQ10 after the age of 35-40. Besides aging, smoking can also deplete the body’s stores of CoQ10.[viii] It has been shown that smokers have substantially lower plasma levels of ubiquinol - 10, especially if there is co-morbidity with hyperlipidemia.[ix] More studies are accumulating evidence showing CoQ10 as an effective antioxidant therapy to counteract oxidative stress.[x] No serious side-effects have been reported from the daily supplementation of CoQ10.[xi] Are You Ready To Quit Smoking? If You Answered YES . . . Then Check Out The Healing Lotus Stop Smoking™ program!  In a recent study, researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina divided 37 men with low-grade prostate tumors waiting for prostatectomies into two groups. Group 1 was given a vitamin D supplement and group 2 was given a placebo. What they found was that the vitamin D group showed a major reduction in the lipids and proteins involved in the inflammation of the prostate gland, which led to better patient outcomes. Previous studies also demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation for at least a year improved Gleason scores (used to grade the aggressiveness of tumors), and in some cases completely eradicated the tumor. 
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