I didn't want to respond to this at first but here I go.. this is not going to be popular but don't panic. I'll get there.
There is nothing wrong w/ this study in the way it uses controls and also does research on nicotine replacement therapies. They appropriately established a baseline by which the significant change was the nicotine concentration. Further, other studies that deliver nicotine directly administered (also in mice and rats) have found that in healthy individuals nicotine can have adverse effects on insulin response and thus potentially contribute to pre-diabetes. Which is also on the road to atherosclerosis. So in terms of just going, "it's about the rest of the stuff in cigarettes".. that's not going to work here. Nicotine definitely contributes on its own.
With that said.....
- Going back a few decades there has been a back-and-forth as to whether caffeine contributes. Even longer-term studies on just caffeine consumption have produced conflicting results.
- Carbon monoxide in cigarettes contribute too so vapers have removed at least that one.
- The leading contributor is still diet, specifically fatty acids / cholesterol.
- Blood pressure is a big contributor to atherosclerosis.
Without spilling tens of links my general findings have been that if you're having trouble with bad cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure then adding nicotine through vaping isn't going to help you. But in relation to risk... how much more risk does nicotine through vaping add to your life as it is? Are you trying to be completely risk averse? (Good luck with that.)
Think of it this way... lets say you are afraid of the measured increase of atherosclerosis due to nicotine (not to mention the severity of the lesions were relative and not absolute nor were they studied in humans (yet)). Lets say you're afraid.
Cut all meat, not just red meat out of your diet. Reduce your sugar intake. Maybe cut caffeine out. Stop living in a big city or near traffic areas where ground ozone and carbon monoxide concentrations are higher. And hope that you aren't genetically predisposed to high blood pressure. FEAR. UNCERTAINTY. DOUBT.
If you don't have your nicotine do you find yourself substituting with other things that might be worse in ~this~ regard? Say...... more fatty foods like ice cream or red meat? More alcohol that can contribute to insulin resistance too?
On top of all of this... we already know nicotine's risk as a stimulant with regards to things like heart arrhythmias. BUT PLEASE..... RISK is not a stationary value in anybody's life. If you have multiple risk factors and feel like reducing nicotine is an option for you, lower your dose.
And... if you're still really thinking nicotine is your likely risk factor, and you're not willing to wait for more in-depth studies to find out, then add some Niacin (B3) and L-arginine to your diet. Any B complex for the former and peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or any soy protein for the latter. (Although I personally recommend limiting soy intake for other reasons.)
In closing. There are a lot of risky behaviors that tie into about a zillion ways to increase your odds of some way to die. There is nothing suggesting nicotine, itself, tied to atherosclerosis, is statistically more likely to cause you harm than tens of other things you consume and do every day.
Rambling rant over and out. -Magnus
!2:00 EST - Washington DC, Jefferson Memorial, Dance Party ;-)
