@darrenp
I understand where you are at. I am a single parent of a teen son and no family support. My health decline makes me worry about how I will be in 10, 20+ years.

I do believe our past heavy smoking affected our central/peripheral nervous systems (I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral and autonomic neuropathy). Smoking adds toxins to our bodies and affects our cardiovascular system. The toxins and limited blood/oxygen flow from smoking kills nerve cells. I have recently had an elevated A1C which shows prediabetes even though my blood sugar is below 100. Diabetes and cardiovascular issues affect nerves and tissues which could be behind our accelerated degeneration. I do agree that it is very important to improve diet/nutrition to reduce blood sugar and improve heart health to prevent worsening health. Blood sugar elevation kills us slowly.