Smoking Cessation (Chantix, Zyban)
Common brand names: Chantix / Champix (varenicline), Zyban / Wellbutrin (bupropion), Nicorette, NicoDerm
Three nutrients listed against this medication. The most severe is marked critical.
At a glance
One of the three is marked well documented. The other two carry their own evidence levels.
At a glance
- Vitamin CCritical · Well documented
- ZincModerate · Traditionally cited, limited evidence
- B-Complex (B6, B12, Folate)Mild · Traditionally cited, limited evidence
Color shows how serious each listed effect is. The label beside it shows how strong the evidence is. The cards below explain each one and show its evidence.
Nutrients it can lower
Mechanism, Each cigarette destroys ~25 mg Vitamin C. Tissue depletion from years of smoking persists after quitting. NRT continues to slightly elevate Vitamin C turnover. Restoration is a months-long process.
Common signs, Lingering oxidative damage, poor wound healing, immune suppression during quit period
Schectman et al. (American Journal of Public Health, 1989; PMID PubMed ID: the permanent number the US National Library of Medicine gives a published paper. Each one links to that paper's record on PubMed. 2913833): smokers have significantly lower plasma vitamin C despite adequate dietary intake.
Vitamin C 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily over a 6 to 12 month period is a range in common use, not from a trial cited on this row. Schectman measured plasma vitamin C in smokers and tested no supplemental dose and no formulation.
Mechanism, Smoking itself lowers folate and raises homocysteine An amino acid in the blood that rises when vitamin B12, folate or B6 are low., and folate tends to recover after quitting. The depletion belongs to the smoking rather than to the cessation therapy, which is why this row is context for B-vitamin status in someone who has recently quit and not a drug effect. Bupropion's own effect on B6 metabolism has not been measured in patients.
Common signs, Elevated cardiovascular risk, depression during quit attempt, cognitive fog, poor taste/smell recovery
Mansoor et al. (Clin Chem, 1997; PMID 9365412): smokers had lower serum and erythrocyte folate than non-smokers. Smoking itself lowers folate, and levels tend to improve after quitting. This is not a depletion caused by cessation therapy.
Methylcobalamin 1,000 mcg with P5P 25 mg and 5-MTHF 400 mcg daily is a combination in common use, not from a trial cited on this row. Mansoor measured folate in smokers and tested none of these forms.
Mechanism, Cadmium in cigarette smoke competitively inhibits zinc absorption and persists in tissues for 6–18 months after cessation. Zinc is required for taste receptor regeneration.
Common signs, Delayed taste/smell recovery, impaired wound healing, immune insufficiency, hair thinning
Cadmium in tobacco smoke antagonizes zinc, a property of smoking, not of cessation aids such as varenicline.
Zinc 25–30 mg daily for 6 to 12 months after quitting is a figure in common use, not from a trial cited on this row. No cited study tested zinc for taste or smell recovery after cessation.
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Disclosure
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any grade on this page describes the strength of published human trial evidence in the populations studied. It is not a recommendation for any individual and is not medical advice. Starting, stopping or changing any supplement or medication is a decision for your physician.
Grades move when new trials publish. A free monthly email lists every grade EBL moved, with the reason and the trial behind it: the sign-up is on the Evidence Log →