Good morning. We’re off to the races this fine Wednesday. What subjects to cover today? We need some music to start the day.

Kamala Harris picked her running mate in Walz. It’s a solid pick that doesn’t do much to hinder the ticket. Walz adds some muster to helping to carry Minnesota, but truth be told, they didn’t need much help in carrying Minnesota. They needed help with Pennsylvania. This is where Josh Shapiro, the governor of that state, would have been helpful. Josh is the up-and-coming star of the Democratic party and is becoming one of the favorites for how he talks—a good cadence.

Don’t get me wrong. Tim Walz is a decent pick. He’s a down-to-earth guy who can admit he’s eating at Arby’s, going to an auto parts store, and doing work himself.

The few guys on our golf trip with whom I talked politics all mentioned the same things about Donald Trump: They wish he’d stay on message instead of getting so caught up in the weeds. We’ll see where this all goes.

Vaping

As someone who lost their grandfather to smoking, I definitely can’t wrap my head around vaping. It’s all the addictive craze right now with high schools and even jr. high kids taking puffs in the bathrooms and outside on recess. The damage being done to these kids by introducing them to high doses of Nicotine while they’re still developing – I cannot imagine. When I hear things like, “Oh, my lungs are fine.” I want to tell them they’re not seeing the big picture. The big picture is the endocrine system.

Vaping Nicotine has become increasingly popular, particularly among young adults and teenagers, but its potential health risks, especially for females, are significant. One of the primary concerns is the impact of Nicotine on the endocrine system. Nicotine exposure can disrupt hormonal balance by affecting the release and regulation of key hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These disruptions can lead to menstrual irregularities, which might manifest as irregular periods, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), or menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). Additionally, Nicotine can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, a crucial regulatory pathway for reproductive hormones, leading to potential long-term fertility issues.

The reproductive system of females is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of Nicotine. Studies have shown that Nicotine can impair ovarian function, reduce the quality and quantity of eggs, and negatively impact the uterine environment. These changes can make it more difficult for women to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Pregnant women who vape Nicotine are also at higher risk for complications such as ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants. Furthermore, nicotine exposure during pregnancy can have lasting effects on the developing fetus, potentially leading to congenital disabilities and developmental issues.

A good video below shows Andrew Hubberman talking about vaping and its effects. They discuss that they’re probably spreading it more than ever before.

Hey, what if you don’t plan on having children and you’re older? What then? Vaping, often perceived as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, carries significant health risks, including the potential to cause and accelerate the development of cancers and tumors. The inhalation of vaporized e-liquids, especially those containing Nicotine and other chemical additives, can have profound and dangerous effects on the body.

Exposure to Carcinogens

Vaping exposes users to various harmful chemicals and carcinogens. When e-liquids are heated, they can release toxic substances such as:

• Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen that can damage the lining of the lungs and other tissues.

• Acetaldehyde: A probable carcinogen that can cause mutations in DNA.

• Acrolein: A compound that can cause severe respiratory issues and has potential carcinogenic effects.

Nicotine and Tumor Growth

Nicotine, a key ingredient in many e-liquids, while not directly carcinogenic, can promote the growth and spread of tumors by:

• Stimulating Angiogenesis: Nicotine encourages the formation of new blood vessels, which tumors need to grow and spread.

• Enhancing Cell Proliferation: It promotes the rapid division and growth of cells, including cancer cells.

• Inhibiting Apoptosis: Nicotine prevents the programmed cell death of damaged cells, allowing cancer cells to survive longer.

Why would I want to put something in my body that accelerates tumor and cancer growth? Promotes tumor growth?

I’m not naive and don’t think I’m Captain Health. I drink Diet Soda like it’s going out of style. But is the damage done by that the equivalent of being hit by a tricycle vs. the damage of getting hit by a bus. Bottom line: Know your poison.

One Last Thing

We had a good visit with our friend Kaitlyn, who was visiting my stepdaughter Lauren. It was fun to see them silly drunk. Even funnier was waking up and trying to figure out the point of the movie ‘Daddio.’

Maybe you have some clue.

Also, yesterday was our neighbor Mark’s birthday. Your friendship has meant more to us than you know. Lets see if he actually reads this.