Study finds e-cig flavors can damage cardiovascular cells
E-cigarette flavors can damage the cells that line your blood vessels and perhaps your heart health down the line, according to a new study of human cells in the lab.
The study, published on May 27th in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, adds to growing evidence that the flavored "e-liquids" used in vapes can hinder human cells' ability to survive and function.
The public has this notion that e-cigarettes are safe. As a result of this perception, many kids pick up this habit as its a safer alternative to cigarette smoking.
In addition to being used in e-cigarettes, diacetyl is used as a flavoring agent in foods such as butter-flavored microwave popcorn, baked goods, and candy; it can create a variety of flavors. Diacetyl is considered a safe ingredient in foods, but evidence suggests that it can be dangerous when inhaled. It has been previously linked with bronchiolitis obliterans, a debilitating lung disease that was dubbed “popcorn lung” because it first appeared in workers who inhaled artificial butter flavor in microwave popcorn processing facilities. After the link between diacetyl and popcorn lung was reported, 2,3-pentanedione was sometimes used as a substitute.
In the new study, researchers used novel lab techniques that allowed them to examine the impact of both diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione on epithelial cells in a system that closely mimicked the human airway epithelium in vivo. They exposed normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells to the chemicals for 24 hours. They found that both diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione were linked with changes in gene expression that could impair both the production and function of cilia.
E-cigarette users are heating and inhaling flavoring chemicals that were never tested for inhalation safety. Although some e-cig manufacturers are stating that they do not use diacetyl or 2,3-pentandione, it begs an important question—what chemicals, then, are they using for flavoring? Further, workers receive warnings about the dangers of inhaling flavoring chemicals. Why aren’t e-cig users receiving the same warnings?
When tuning into your emotions, take a step or two backward. Ask yourself, “How did I get here?” Hunt down the triggers that may have contributed to your feelings. A great example would be you getting angry when your partner asks you “What’s is for dinner”. Are you truly angry at them or are you simply exhausted from a long day at work? Understanding where our emotions arise from and what triggers them is a crucial component to help you begin to manage your emotions.
The high of your emotional trigger you might be so in the moment, letting your emotions/feelings get the best of you. A great tip for emotional management is to learn to step out of your zone in order to gain perspective. Imagine it like stepping outside of your body and seeing yourself from a 3rd person view. Well, that is how we have to step outside of our mind at that moment and ask ourselves questions. What are the consequences of this action? Are you just solely affected by these emotions or does your emotional reaction spark others’ to feel the same way?
Think of this past forward as a future-view to consider what matters to you at that moment?
You will learn to gain perspective and connect to your values which help us attune our thoughts and feelings when we return to the moment.
In order to improve your emotional responses its impossible without self-awareness. Dive into the present moment to gain a heightened view of what is exactly going on. Ask yourself “How do you know you are the feeling you are believing you have? Is it the butterflies in your stomach, the sweat on your palms, the palpitations in your chest? Emotions are rather subjective so you have to understand yourself and then develop better-coping skills for those feelings.
Have you ever listened to your own dialogue? Are the conversations you are having with yourself negative or positive? Negative thinking can weigh heavily on our functioning. The more you listen to yourself talk the more you may notice how letting one dark feeling in, will invite many other similar thoughts? Look how easy it is to let our emotions run wild without keeping them in check. Mildly irritated, agitated, frustrated to anger or even rage.
It is important to realize positive feelings tend to have similar habits and are even more powerful! Adjusting your inner thoughts will welcome happy emotions. For example, waking up in the morning and focusing on gratitude will evoke those related feelings like happiness and fulfillment later in your day.
Another tip for controlling your emotions would be to just press pause in the present moment. This skill is intended to just be a mindful moment. If you tune in into your emotions and you are starting to get overwhelmed, angry, anxious, press pause on the situation. Two helpful ways to maintain this mindful minute is to take a deep breath and focus on your breath. During this minute listen to your breath, the way your lungs expand, shoulders broaden, abdomen rises. Hold for a few seconds and exhale, repeat. Even though this is a brief moment, this technique will help to regain stability while emotionally overwhelmed.
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July 26, 2020
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?