Micronutrients could help people quit smoking
One in five adults currently smoke in New Zealand but Phillipa Newton, of Canterbury University, says taking micronutrients could stop relapses for people trying to quit.
Broader nutrients
"There is a history of using nutritional supplements in the treatment of addiction, mood, anxiety and many more psychological disorders,” explained Newton.
"Previous research on the use of micronutrients for addiction has shown that relapse rates and drug hunger can be reduced and psychological functioning can be improved while on the nutrients.
"My study uses a broader array of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, to evaluate the impact micronutrients have on withdrawal symptoms from smoking.”
Smoking is still a major issue in New Zealand, and costs the government over NZ$1.5bn a year. "It is also the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand, accounting for between 4,300 and 4,600 deaths a year,” added Newton. “Second-hand smoke is the leading environmental cause of preventable death in New Zealand and kills around 350 people a year.”
Quake relapse
More than 60% of Christchurch smokers have relapsed since an earthquake devastated the city in 2011, and research suggests that the prevalence of smoking in Christchurch has actually increased since the event, while the rest of New Zealand rates are declining.
"I am conducting a four month trial, supervised by associate professors Neville Blampied and Julia Rucklidge, using micronutrients to reduce the withdrawal symptoms and improve the mood of the participants when they quit smoking,” said Newton.
"We expect that consumption of nutrients should result in the reduction of withdrawal symptoms at a faster rate compared to somebody who quits without the supplement on a placebo. Fewer withdrawal symptoms and better mood after quitting should in turn reduce the rate of relapse.”
The research team is currently looking to source smokers to take part in the trial. They are specifically looking for people of 18 years and over who have no acute or chronic illness, and who are not currently taking psychiatric medication.
