Today we’re going to talk about why smoking can increase the risk of COVID-19 complications. Smoking could also increase your risk of getting an infection in your lungs. 
Smoking is a risk factor because it can significantly increase ACE2 receptors. In your cells, you have a lot of different receptors, and there’s one for the ACE2 protein, which is an enzyme. 
The way that the coronavirus gets into the cell is through this little ACE2 portal. COVID-19 has little projections that basically connect to the ACE2 receptors. Once it connects, the doors open, and it can go into the cell and create destruction. Smoking can increase the number of little portals. The more portals this virus can enter, the more susceptible you are to getting an infection. 
The lung tissue actually has the most concentration of these ACE2 receptors. Once the coronavirus is in your lungs, it creates a lot of damage within the airways. At this point, you can start to develop scar tissue and fluid in the airways. The membranes become thickened, and you start to lose your capacity to exchange oxygen and CO2.
It’s the chronic nicotine inhalation, not just from smoking, but from vaping as well that could be an issue. If you quit smoking within 24 hours there could be a huge improvement. 
In 2019, 43% of Italian smokers, smoked between 10-19 cigarettes per day. Two countries that are really getting hit with this virus are Italy and Spain. Both of these countries have a lot of smokers. 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 51 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in weight loss through nutritional & natural methods. His private practice is located in Alexandria, Virginia. His clients include senior officials in the U.S. government & the Justice Department, ambassadors, medical doctors, high-level executives of prominent corporations, scientists, engineers, professors, and other clients from all walks of life. He is the author of The 7 Principles of Fat Burning.

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