Tobacco smoke produces cancer of the lung and bladder, cardiac and respiratory disease. If you need help quitting contact your physician for help or participate in one of the many programs available. Alcohol intake should be minimized to 1 or 2 ounces a day. Alcohol will wash out many of the water soluble vitamins as well as increase the consumption of Vitamin C, zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Alcohol in excess will increase fat deposits in the heart and decrease immune function.
Alcohol is a toxin to the bone marrow and can cause liver injury leading to hepatitis and cirrhosis.
In the last few years increasing numbers of reports have suggested that the use of Beta Carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, may act to prevent the development of various malignancies. Beta Carotene and other similar compounds have properties that appear to affect cell growth and maturation. Beta carotene, like vitamin A and E is stored in the liver. Current clinical trials in prevention of cervix cancer and cancer of the lung and breast are using beta carotene. This may also be helpful in the prevention of colon cancer and melanoma.