Archive for Serious Health
Jun
30
Use of Diet Pills by Teenagers Increasing
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Jen Page asked:
A study looking into the eating habits of teenage girls suggests that the use of diet pills in young women is climbing at alarming rates. Research conducted by the University of Minnesota’s “Project EAT” (Eating Among Teens) showed that 62.7% of female teenagers use moderately unhealthy weight management methods, while 27.9% use very unhealthy weight management methods. These methods include the abuse of diet pills, skipping meals, vomiting and laxatives. Teenage girls who use diet pills and succumb to eating disorders have a much higher chance of developing serious health conditions in the future, such as osteoporosis.
Efforts are now being made to understand why teenaged girls are turning to drastic weight loss methods to lose weight. Exploring the physical fitness and eating patterns among teenage girls has shown that more and more girls are obsessive about their weight. During the teenage years, physical activity considerably reduces, especially with girls. This inevitably leads to weight gain and girls look for the quickest means to lose weight. Many teenage girls have resorted to some drastic measures to attain the waif-like figures of supermodels and celebrities in the media. Some of these girls start using diet pills as early as the age of 13.
Many diet pills are sold over the counter and serve to fuel this unhealthy trend. Some of these diet pills are very effective at suppressing appetite and are able to diminish the desire to eat. Such pills have been branded unsafe for use by teenagers because they encourage the development of unhealthy eating patterns, and in some cases eating disorders such as anorexia.
Diet pills that contain stimulants raise the body’s temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Examples of diet pills that contain stimulants are Xenadrine and Hydroxycut as well as other products that contain ephedra, green tea extract, bitter orange extract and caffeine. Of all these products, ephedra diet pills pose the greatest risks for teenagers. In some extreme cases of abuse and misuse of these diet pills, teenagers have been found to develop high blood pressure, heart valve damage, heart attack, stroke and other life threatening conditions before the age of 20. In some cases, teenagers have died from the use of ephedra and ephedrine products.
As a parent or concerned friend, you may be looking for the warning signs that a teenager is using diet pills unsupervised. Unfortunately, the use of diet pills by teenagers can go undetected; however there are a few signs of unhealthy eating and poor body image that should always be addressed when displayed. For example, constant complaining about weight and body fat, skipping meals and an obsession with being thin are all indicators that the teenager may be developing an eating disorder or is struggling with very poor body image. In the cases where diet pills are being abused or misused for rapid weight loss, a teenager may experience drastic weight fluctuations, mood swings, hair loss, bad breath, dizzy spells and increased blood pressure.
With studies indicating startling numbers of teenagers using diet pills, parents need to take a more active role in making their children feel good about themselves and teaching them healthier methods of weight control. Teenagers who have a positive attitude regarding their bodies have less chances of being overweight, both as children and as adults.
Free Diet Pills
Tags: Alarming Rates, Bitter Orange Extract, Green Tea, Health Conditions, Serious Health, Stimulants, Teenage Girls, Teenaged Girls, Unhealthy Weight Management, WaifA study looking into the eating habits of teenage girls suggests that the use of diet pills in young women is climbing at alarming rates. Research conducted by the University of Minnesota’s “Project EAT” (Eating Among Teens) showed that 62.7% of female teenagers use moderately unhealthy weight management methods, while 27.9% use very unhealthy weight management methods. These methods include the abuse of diet pills, skipping meals, vomiting and laxatives. Teenage girls who use diet pills and succumb to eating disorders have a much higher chance of developing serious health conditions in the future, such as osteoporosis.
Efforts are now being made to understand why teenaged girls are turning to drastic weight loss methods to lose weight. Exploring the physical fitness and eating patterns among teenage girls has shown that more and more girls are obsessive about their weight. During the teenage years, physical activity considerably reduces, especially with girls. This inevitably leads to weight gain and girls look for the quickest means to lose weight. Many teenage girls have resorted to some drastic measures to attain the waif-like figures of supermodels and celebrities in the media. Some of these girls start using diet pills as early as the age of 13.
Many diet pills are sold over the counter and serve to fuel this unhealthy trend. Some of these diet pills are very effective at suppressing appetite and are able to diminish the desire to eat. Such pills have been branded unsafe for use by teenagers because they encourage the development of unhealthy eating patterns, and in some cases eating disorders such as anorexia.
Diet pills that contain stimulants raise the body’s temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Examples of diet pills that contain stimulants are Xenadrine and Hydroxycut as well as other products that contain ephedra, green tea extract, bitter orange extract and caffeine. Of all these products, ephedra diet pills pose the greatest risks for teenagers. In some extreme cases of abuse and misuse of these diet pills, teenagers have been found to develop high blood pressure, heart valve damage, heart attack, stroke and other life threatening conditions before the age of 20. In some cases, teenagers have died from the use of ephedra and ephedrine products.
As a parent or concerned friend, you may be looking for the warning signs that a teenager is using diet pills unsupervised. Unfortunately, the use of diet pills by teenagers can go undetected; however there are a few signs of unhealthy eating and poor body image that should always be addressed when displayed. For example, constant complaining about weight and body fat, skipping meals and an obsession with being thin are all indicators that the teenager may be developing an eating disorder or is struggling with very poor body image. In the cases where diet pills are being abused or misused for rapid weight loss, a teenager may experience drastic weight fluctuations, mood swings, hair loss, bad breath, dizzy spells and increased blood pressure.
With studies indicating startling numbers of teenagers using diet pills, parents need to take a more active role in making their children feel good about themselves and teaching them healthier methods of weight control. Teenagers who have a positive attitude regarding their bodies have less chances of being overweight, both as children and as adults.
Free Diet Pills
May
29
Be Suspicious of “Miracle” Diet Pills
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Art Gib asked:
Here’s an interesting tidbit about diet pills that many people don’t know, most are not subject to FDA inspection and regulations.
The vast majority of diet pills on the market today use words like “all natural” and “herbal supplements” as a selling point. What this really means is that the manufacturer is sliding past FDA inspection because the FDA has no jurisdiction over herbal supplements. No one does. So taking “natural” diet pills is a real gamble, as the manufacturers haven’t had to test them in any way or prove their safety or effectiveness.
There is no required scientific proof or research required to back up any advertiser’s claims about herbal diet pills, so they are basically free to say whatever they want regarding how the product works or the health benefits they provide.
The diet pills industry has a long history of making claims that aren’t true and posing serious health threats for consumers from addiction to metabolism disruption to permanent heart damage. The Better Business Bureau has repeatedly issued warnings regarding the purchase and consumption of diet pills. Some of those statements are included below.
Use caution with diet pills and capsules that promise to “burn,” “block,” “flush,” or otherwise eliminate fat from your system. Even the best diet pill or weight loss product is, at best, only a temporary or partial measure.
Be wary of diet pills that promise immediate, effortless and/or “guaranteed” weight loss. Every person’s body is different and there is virtually no product that can promise guaranteed weight loss to everyone. And the only effortless weight loss is starvation, which is not only unhealthy, but does not get rid of fat, at least not until your body has burned its own muscle and dehydrated first.
Watch for buzzwords like “breakthrough,” “secret,” “exclusive,” or “miraculous” in advertisements for diet pills. They are not scientific words and often appear in misleading promotions for fraudulent products.
Be cautious of vaguely worded testimonials that cannot be verified. Testimonials should not serve as a substitute for scientific proof of a product’s effectiveness.
Before committing to diet pills, or any weight loss product or program, check with your physician, a qualified nutritionist and/or a registered dietitian. Don’t just accept testimonials and endorsements from celebrities. Where these may be good and honest people, most are not doctors, and remember that those who are doctors are also getting paid large sums for their endorsements.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau or the Food & Drug Administration if you have questions about an advertised product, diet pills or weight loss promotion. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Tags: Advertiser, Better Business Bureau, Buzzwords, Fda Inspection, Fraudulent Products, Health Benefits, Herbal Diet Pills, Herbal Supplements, Miracle Diet, Serious HealthHere’s an interesting tidbit about diet pills that many people don’t know, most are not subject to FDA inspection and regulations.
The vast majority of diet pills on the market today use words like “all natural” and “herbal supplements” as a selling point. What this really means is that the manufacturer is sliding past FDA inspection because the FDA has no jurisdiction over herbal supplements. No one does. So taking “natural” diet pills is a real gamble, as the manufacturers haven’t had to test them in any way or prove their safety or effectiveness.
There is no required scientific proof or research required to back up any advertiser’s claims about herbal diet pills, so they are basically free to say whatever they want regarding how the product works or the health benefits they provide.
The diet pills industry has a long history of making claims that aren’t true and posing serious health threats for consumers from addiction to metabolism disruption to permanent heart damage. The Better Business Bureau has repeatedly issued warnings regarding the purchase and consumption of diet pills. Some of those statements are included below.
Use caution with diet pills and capsules that promise to “burn,” “block,” “flush,” or otherwise eliminate fat from your system. Even the best diet pill or weight loss product is, at best, only a temporary or partial measure.
Be wary of diet pills that promise immediate, effortless and/or “guaranteed” weight loss. Every person’s body is different and there is virtually no product that can promise guaranteed weight loss to everyone. And the only effortless weight loss is starvation, which is not only unhealthy, but does not get rid of fat, at least not until your body has burned its own muscle and dehydrated first.
Watch for buzzwords like “breakthrough,” “secret,” “exclusive,” or “miraculous” in advertisements for diet pills. They are not scientific words and often appear in misleading promotions for fraudulent products.
Be cautious of vaguely worded testimonials that cannot be verified. Testimonials should not serve as a substitute for scientific proof of a product’s effectiveness.
Before committing to diet pills, or any weight loss product or program, check with your physician, a qualified nutritionist and/or a registered dietitian. Don’t just accept testimonials and endorsements from celebrities. Where these may be good and honest people, most are not doctors, and remember that those who are doctors are also getting paid large sums for their endorsements.
Also check with the Better Business Bureau or the Food & Drug Administration if you have questions about an advertised product, diet pills or weight loss promotion. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
May
16
The Health Benefits of Acai Berries
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Catie Jefferson asked:
The Brazilian Acai berry is rich in vitamins, fiber and protein, but these aren’t the only health benefits of acai. This dark purple berry is also rich in antioxidants and the good omega fats that most of us don’t get enough of in our diets. So let’s take a look at why these are important.
Acai and Antioxidants
Like all richly colored fruits and vegetables, acai berry is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for long term health because they counteract the effects of free radicals. And free radicals contribute to all kinds of diseases that shorten our longevity, particularly heard disease and cancer.
So it’s important to get lots of antioxidants in your diet. You can do this by consuming plenty of brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes and even red wine. What makes acai a particularly attractive addition to your diet is that the acai berry packs quite the antioxidant punch. This little pitted berry has twice as much antioxidant power as blueberries, one of the fruits that is well known as one of our best sources.
Acai and Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Fatty acids are what gets commonly referred to as the good fats. It’s the stuff that raises your good cholesterol levels and lowers your bad cholesterol levels. The two main essential fatty acids (EFA) are omega-3 and omega-6. There is also omega-9 as well, but our bodies do produce some omega-9 on their own, so this is not considered an essential source to consume.
Of these EFAs, the one that most of us are deficient in is Omega-3. And deficiencies in essential fatty acids can contribute to cancer, depression, increased risk of heart attacks and other serious health conditions. This is where acai comes in. It is rich in all of the Omega fats, including Omega-3. So an acai supplement can definitely help increase our consumption of Omega-3.
Of course, antioxidants and EFAs aren’t the only reason to consider adding some acai to your diet. Acai is also a great source of fiber, protein and vitamins, particularly the B vitamins. They even have plant sterols which recent research is showing is another health benefit we should try getting more of in our diets.
Since you can’t buy raw acai berries (they don’t ship well, so are processed at the source), the best way to add some to your diet is generally going to be as either a juice or a supplement in the form of a capsule or powder. You can read my review of my favorite acai berry capsule and then get yourself a free bottle to try it for yourself.
Tags: Acai Berries, Acai Berry, Colored Fruits, Health Conditions, Kinds Of Diseases, Long Term Health, Omega 3 And Omega 6, Omega 9, Red Wine, Serious HealthThe Brazilian Acai berry is rich in vitamins, fiber and protein, but these aren’t the only health benefits of acai. This dark purple berry is also rich in antioxidants and the good omega fats that most of us don’t get enough of in our diets. So let’s take a look at why these are important.
Acai and Antioxidants
Like all richly colored fruits and vegetables, acai berry is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for long term health because they counteract the effects of free radicals. And free radicals contribute to all kinds of diseases that shorten our longevity, particularly heard disease and cancer.
So it’s important to get lots of antioxidants in your diet. You can do this by consuming plenty of brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes and even red wine. What makes acai a particularly attractive addition to your diet is that the acai berry packs quite the antioxidant punch. This little pitted berry has twice as much antioxidant power as blueberries, one of the fruits that is well known as one of our best sources.
Acai and Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Fatty acids are what gets commonly referred to as the good fats. It’s the stuff that raises your good cholesterol levels and lowers your bad cholesterol levels. The two main essential fatty acids (EFA) are omega-3 and omega-6. There is also omega-9 as well, but our bodies do produce some omega-9 on their own, so this is not considered an essential source to consume.
Of these EFAs, the one that most of us are deficient in is Omega-3. And deficiencies in essential fatty acids can contribute to cancer, depression, increased risk of heart attacks and other serious health conditions. This is where acai comes in. It is rich in all of the Omega fats, including Omega-3. So an acai supplement can definitely help increase our consumption of Omega-3.
Of course, antioxidants and EFAs aren’t the only reason to consider adding some acai to your diet. Acai is also a great source of fiber, protein and vitamins, particularly the B vitamins. They even have plant sterols which recent research is showing is another health benefit we should try getting more of in our diets.
Since you can’t buy raw acai berries (they don’t ship well, so are processed at the source), the best way to add some to your diet is generally going to be as either a juice or a supplement in the form of a capsule or powder. You can read my review of my favorite acai berry capsule and then get yourself a free bottle to try it for yourself.
