People who regularly vape risk damaging their bones – and are more likely to suffer with fractures, a leading expert has warned.
Dr Taher Mahmud said the hidden dangers of vaping on bone-health are hugely under-reported.
Vaping in general has been a controversial topic of discussion in healthcare since they came onto the market, with some arguing they should be prescribed on the NHS in England to help people stop smoking.
Others have called for them to be made ‘prescription only’ in order to protect children, since the long term effects of their use is unknown.
But an emerging concern is the impact vaping has on bone health.
Outlining why, Dr Mahmud, consultant rheumatologist at the London Osteoporosis Clinic, said: “E-cigarettes, or vapes, contain a variety of substances that can harm your health. Most vapes still contain nicotine. As well as being highly addictive, nicotine can negatively impact bone health by interfering with how bones are formed. It can also reduce blood supply to the bones, impairing their growth. And repeated exposure to nicotine through regular vaping can lead to a decrease in bone density, increasing the risk of fractures.”
According to the respected medic, it is not just nicotine which can cause problems.
He said: “People may not be aware but there are cancer-causing chemicals, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde which are inhaled when someone vapes, alongside dangerous heavy metals like nickel, tin and lead. These all have an impact on how our body works, including bone health.
“Lead in particular is known to stunt skeletal growth in children and delays fracture healing and can contribute to osteoporosis.
“These chemicals also increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, another situation which impairs bone health. Chronic inflammation, which regular vaping can cause, disrupts how bones are maintained in the body and eventually weakens them.”
Vaping can also impact bone health indirectly through its effects on overall physical health and lifestyle such as reduced physical activity and an unhealthy diet, which are evidence based assumptions of those who either smoke or vape.
“A sedentary lifestyle is a significant risk factor for poor bone health because weight-bearing and muscle strengthening activities are essential to maintain bone density,” Dr Mahmud added.
“A poor diet can also lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.”
“For those who currently vape, it is important they understand the potential risks to bone health and understand what they can do to mitigate its impacts.
“The most effective way to protect bone health is to quit vaping. There are smoking cessation services, which also applies to vaping, available at your GP practice.
“But you should also look to increase your activity, with a focus on those resistance exercises which should include using weights to help improve bone and muscle health, but can also include exercise like walking and swimming.
“Make sure you are getting a healthy, balanced diet and if you are in a group which is at higher risk of osteoporosis, consider supplements for calcium and vitamin D.”