Smoking
Smokers have been given another reasont to kick the habit as results of a new study show that smokers lose more muscle mass during old age that those who don't smoke.
The research conducted by the University of Nottingham highlights that not only are smokers prone to heart attacks and strokes but their noctine addiction could lead to a decline in physical function.
The study was conducted on 16 men and women who all had a long standing twenty a day smoking habit and were in their mid sixties.
Researchers discovered during the tests that smokers developed a quarter less muscle than non smokers.
Dr Philip Anderson said: "From our tests, we can condlude that smoking slows the muscle protein synthesis machinery - probably impairing day to day up keep of muscle. We are all well aware of the ill affects of smoking on the lungs but our study reveals yet another cause of ill-health associated with smoking.
"Hopefully the UK smoking ban will encourage people to quit while they are still young,helping them to keep in good health in later life."
Researchers warn that the key areas that muscle will be lost is in the thighs and older people will start to lose their balance, fall down stairs as well as struggle to get off the toilet and in and out of the bath. This will lead to a gradual loss of independence.