Please note that the symptoms of nicotine toxicity are quite vague and may only be mirroring those of other, more common deficiencies. If you do not smoke, are not exposed to second-hand smoke and have no other reason to believe that you have a high level of nicotine, you probably do not suffer from nicotine toxicity. However, if you do have reason to suspect that your nicotine level is high, the following recommendations are appropriate.

The nicotine in tobacco makes it one of the most powerful stimulant plants known, and one of the most addictive.

Nicotine in smoke enters the lungs and quickly goes into the blood stream, immediately stimulating bursts of adrenaline which consequently boost the heart rate and increase blood pressure. The effects of nicotine continue to ripple throughout the body with a wide range of damaging results, many of which can be fatal.

The negative aspects of smoking are so well publicized that it is not necessary to itemize them here. Suffice it to say that nicotine's proven destructive effects, together with its widespread social acceptance, make it one of the greatest public health tragedies of this era. The quiz can indicate the relative seriousness of the effects of nicotine in your body.

Obviously the only way to cleanse nicotine from your system is to stop smoking and/or move away from second-hand smoke. If you cannot stop smoking, or do not want to, the following advice may help protect you somewhat from the effects of smoke.

You must eat a healthy diet -- 5-6 servings (half cup each) of fresh vegetables daily (especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, winter squash and leafy greens like kale, collards, beet greens and salad greens) -- steamed, raw, stir-fried and in soups, casseroles, pastas, etc. Eat brown rice often, as well as whole grain pastas, breads, cereals and legumes.

While smoking will wipe out many of the beneficial effects of a good diet and exercise, you will still be much better off than before, and also you will be building better lifestyle habits that will benefit you when you do quit smoking.

Vitamin E will help protect your cells from nicotine. Take 200 I.U. daily with a meal containing fat. Smoking drastically depletes your body of vitamin C. Take 1000mg per day (500mg twice a day). Take a multivitamin/mineral tablet and a high potency B complex tablet every day, at separate meals. Co-enzyme Q10 can help increase oxygen flow to the brain. Take at least 60mg/day. Herbs such as cayenne and ginger are also very good. Add the herbs to food and/or take capsules.

If you are a smoker and you have decided to quit, you may find these "quitting smoking" recommendations helpful.