
Reader Warning:
The fat lady is on her soap box this morning and she is bound to offend a few
people. As always please be aware that my motives are good and my intention is
to save a few lives.
First, a basic premise that I hold near and dear: God created good food for the nourishment of
our bodies; man has corrupted and abused it.
I have been both amused and alarmed by the growing popularity
of nutritional shakes and energy drinks, but I’ve kept quiet because most people
look at me and question my knowledge of healthy eating habits. Yesterday I
reached the “tipping point” at Walmart, and I knew it was time to speak up. A
young woman next to me was carrying a package of Monster energy drinks. And
next to the checkout lane was a display of “Dream Water” the liquid “sleep and
relaxation” drink. Both are supposedly quick fixes for common problems and both
are fraught with potentially dangerous side effects.
I will be the first to admit that I eat too much. But I try my best to make sure that I’m eating
basic food, not heavily processed food, and that I’m eating food that is as
safe as possible. I read labels and do research and I’m constantly making subtle
changes in my diet. I don’t take prescription drugs or herbal supplements or even
vitamins unless I understand what they will do and what side effects they might
have. I’m trying to establish life-long
habits that will keep me going until I’m 90. I’m not looking for a quick fix
for my weight or health or anything else.
Apparently I’m in the minority because most people give
little thought to what is actually in the products they consume. They fall for
the claims of manufacturers and the endorsement of other consumers. They believe
the convincing words on the labels and look no further for more information.
I think there are two reasons for this lack of concern.
- Consumers
have a false sense of safety because they assume that someone is regulating
the manufacture and sale of anything associated with “health products”. Well,
yes and no. This warning is from the National Institutes for Health:
“Federal
regulations for dietary supplements are very different from those for
prescription and over-the-counter drugs. For example, a dietary supplement
manufacturer does not have to prove a product's safety and effectiveness
before it is marketed. A
manufacturer is permitted to say that a dietary supplement addresses a nutrient
deficiency, supports health, or is linked to a particular body function (e.g.,
immunity), if there is research to support the claim. Such a claim must be
followed by the words "This statement has not been evaluated by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Once a dietary supplement is on the market,
the FDA monitors safety. If it finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action
against the manufacturer and/or distributor, and may issue a warning or require
that the product be removed from the marketplace.” In other words the FDA
waits for someone to get sick or die from using a dietary supplement product
before they step in and do something about it.
2. People
assume that natural means good. Natural
does not necessarily mean good or even safe.
Again, from the NIH:
“Be aware that an
herbal supplement may contain dozens of compounds and that its active ingredients may not be known. Researchers are
studying many of these products in an effort to identify active ingredients and
understand their effects in the body. Also consider the possibility that what's
on the label may not be what's in the bottle. Analyses of dietary supplements
sometimes find differences between
labeled and actual ingredients. For example:
An herbal supplement may
not contain the correct plant species. The amount of the active ingredient
may be lower or higher than the label states. That means you may be taking
less—or more—of the dietary supplement than you realize. The dietary
supplement may be contaminated with other herbs, pesticides, or metals, or even
adulterated with unlabeled ingredients such as prescription drugs.”
So, how does that information apply to our consumption of
nutritional shakes, energy drinks, and sleep aids? First of all most of the
nutritional shakes contain a mind-boggling array of natural ingredients that sound
both exotic and reassuring. Plants are good, right? So the more the merrier.
Well…maybe. Stevia, found in many low-calorie drinks, may trigger allergic
reactions in people already allergic to ragweed, marigolds, and members of the daisy
family. The problem might not occur unless the person is also consuming Sevia
in several other products, but it is still a legitimate concern. Guarana, found in shakes and energy drinks contains far more caffeine
than coffee. Kudzu has some warnings associated with its use. Milk thistle
warnings include allergies and also warnings about its affect on
contraceptives.
Then there is the whole issue of vitamins and minerals. My
daily vitamin tablet contains 25-100% of most of the vitamins and minerals my
body needs. It is the most balanced of the supplements I’ve researched and
seems to compliment my pescetarian diet quite well. Vitamins A,D,E, and K are
fat soluble vitamins and stored in the body for later use. Vitamins C, and B
are water soluble and excess amounts are flushed out by the body. That’s why it
is interesting to read labels that list 1,600% or 625% or 333% of a vitamin
your body can only logically use in limited quantities. My son would call that
very expensive urine! Minerals are trickier, but a little research will tell
you which ones we need the most and which foods contain them. Too much niacin poses some problems and you
should read more about folic acid.
Danger, danger!
Many of the ingredients in “natural” shakes, supplements, and drinks do not
react well with the chemicals created by man, yet few people tell their doctors
about the diet or “wellness” products they are using. This can cause mild to
major interactions with prescription drugs that vary from mild stomach
irritation to headaches to death. One of the ingredients in the aforementioned “Dream
Water” has moderate to major drug
interaction warnings. I wonder how many people will actually investigate that
before trying the product.
The last thing that concerns me about all these liquid cures
is the cost. Some of them are unbelievably expensive, especially if anyone
takes the time to compare the store brands with the products sold by the multi-level
marketing groups.
Why? Why are we
seeking health or energy or sleep in a bottle? Because we are lazy and willful.
We don’t want to eat the things we should be eating. We don’t want to do the
things we should do. We don’t want to take care of our bodies the way we
should. We don’t want the slow and careful road to health; we want the quick
and easy path!
God gave us the foods we need for our health and well-being.
We just need to learn to use them wisely.
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