Smokers Beware!

The destructive power of the cigarette smoket can go deep, really deep right into your bones and cause degeneration in them. 
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones weaken and are more likely to fracture. Fractures from osteoporosis can result in severe pain and disability. Numerous medical studies have shown that significant bone loss occurs in older women and men who smoke. Smoking after age 30 speeds up the loss of bone mass — it occurs 1.5 to 2 times faster. The longer you smoke and the more cigarettes you consume, the greater your risk of fracture in old age. Moreover, smokers who fracture may take longer to heal than non-smokers and may experience more complications during the healing process.
How does this happen? Smoking reduces the amount of calcium your bones absorb. Vitamin D helps bones to absorb calcium, but smoking interferes with how your body uses vitamin D. Less calcium is then available to build strong bones. As a result, your bones start to get brittle.
Quitting smoking appears to reduce the risk of low bone mass and fractures. However, it may take several years to lower a former smoker’s risk.