can result. Cigarettes also increase risks to cardiac health. Early research also shows a strong chance
of lessened serum testosterone in men. The addictive nature of nicotine is well documented.
While less is known about chewing tobacco and snuff, it is still certain that it’s just as addictive
and can greatly increase oral cancer risk. As for the nicotine gum and patches developed to help
the addicted smoker kick the habit, they have far fewer adverse effects and are, of course, very
preferable to smoking or other orally taken sources.
There may, indeed, be some kind of up-side to nicotine. Both animal and human studies
have shown nicotine can reduce caloric intake and aid weight loss. Ceasing smoking may also
lead to weight gain.
But there seems little evidence that it possesses any advantage for the athlete. Smoking is
especially harmful and generally has a negative effect on athletic performance.^75 Any bodybuilder
who smokes would be wise to give it up. If impossible to break, other oral forms of the drug
will be preferable to smoking. But with the dramatic increase in chances for oral cancer and
other possibly harmful chemical compounds contained in smokeless tobacco products, you’d
be better to get off the stuff altogether.
Ditto on recreational drug use. As mentioned above, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine have
adverse effects on serum testosterone and growth hormone. While a beer or two on the weekend
is not going to hurt you, you’ll still want to approach this area with caution to ensure the best
results from the Anabolic Diet program.
64 THE ANABOLIC DIET