Smoking's Impact on Metabolism: Quitting for Healthier Function

Your metabolism increases while smoking, as the heart is forced to pump at a faster rate. Quitting smoking lowers metabolism by alleviating the unnecessary stress placed on the heart.

Significance

• Smoking increases metabolic rates, as the stimulant nicotine forces the heart to beat faster than it normally would. Higher metabolic rates result in more calories burned per day along with unhealthy levels of stress being placed on the heart.

Function

• Quitting smoking lowers the metabolic rate, so the heart may function normally under less stress. Appetite is no longer suppressed by nicotine, and the body adapts to burning calories naturally.

Effects

• A lowered metabolism attained by smoking cessation is often overshadowed by weight gain and increased cravings. Negative withdrawal symptoms are temporary as metabolism can be increased by beneficial vitamins and exercise.

Considerations

• Daily exercise is a healthy way to increase metabolism. Daily exercise also curbs withdrawal feelings of depression and irritability through the natural transmission of dopamine attained by physical activity rather than nicotine dependency.

Benefits

• Quitting smoking allows the body to restore itself to a normal metabolic rate, taking stress off the heart, so cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses may be avoided. Consequently, a daily exercise regimen can increase metabolism and improve lung and heart function for healthier living.