The list of side effects of tobacco on human health continues to grow… Latest observation to date? Smoking would increase the risk of breaking a bone, especially in men, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Smoking is already associated with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Between 2006 and 2025, scientists estimate that fractures due toosteoporosis may have increased by 48% in the United States. If this disease is rather seen as feminine, it also affects men. The study authors looked at the causes of this increase in osteoporosis and looked for a way to address it. The easiest culprit to eliminate was tobacco.
Scientists have come to the conclusion that the risk of breaking a bone increases by 37% when you are a male smoker. To come to this conclusion, they used the results of 27 cohorts listing 30,000 fractures.
More fragile bones due to the chemical components of cigarettes
The most risky fracture? That of the hip, which jumped 40% in men who smoke tobacco, comes next that of the spine, the risk of which increases by 32% according to their study. But why does tobacco weaken the bones?
This question is currently the subject of assumptions: scientists think that it is not tobacco that would be directly responsible, but the products that accompany it, nicotine is known to be a brake on healing, they also believe that the substances contained in cigarettes would interfere with the absorption by the bones of calcium or vitamin D, thus weakening the composition of the bones. Another reason to quit smoking!
Source: Scientific Reports
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