Sunflower seeds versus nicotine
		~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vital nutrients.  They contain
most of the B vitamins, vitamin E and also many essential fatty acids,
and pound for pound twice as much iron and twenty-five times as much
thiamin (a B vitamin) as steak.  [Dr. John] Douglass found they were
particularly good for people trying to wean themselves off cigarettes, so
much so that he now recommends would-be non-smokers to carry a handful of
raw shelled sunflower seeds around with them and every time they feel the
desire to smoke to pop a few into their mouth and munch until the desire
subsides. In a few weeks, he says, even the desire to smoke seems to
fade.  How does he explain this David and Goliath effect, the humble
sunflower seed versus the ogre nicotine?

	It seems that sunflower seeds contain ingredients which mimic
some of the effects of nicotine.  To an extent therefore they give
smokers some of the gratification they seek from nicotine.  Nicotine
tends to have a mildly soothing, sedative effect on the nervous system;
so do sunflower seeds because they contain various sedative essential
oils, and also plenty of B vitamins, always good for the nerves.
Nicotine triggers the release of glycogen from the liver, producing a
temporary increase in brain activity; sunflower seeds produce a similar
lift.  Nicotine raises the level of adrenal hormones in the body as well;
sunflower seeds also stimulate the adrenal glands.  Sunflower seeds are
non-allergic, and effectively break through the smoker's pattern of
addiction without themselves becoming the target of a new allergy.

typed by bodhi from
		    "raw energy"
				 by leslie & susannah kenton
page 124						     (c) 1994