Do you want to get healthy?
Do you want to go on a diet?
Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to have more energy and
fulfillment from your life?
If the answer to any of these
questions is yes, then read the following information. This is not
written to scare anyone but rather to bring awareness. This may be
long, however the information here is important. Please take a few
minutes of time and read the whole article. In the interest of
disclosure I am not a doctor but rather a concerned citizen wanting
to give out information. It is important to state that in no way is
it being suggested that anyone stop taking any medications prescribed
by their doctor. Only that medical doctor can make those
determinations. If there are questions or concerns about medications
talk to the prescribing doctor. They are specially trained and
usually very friendly as well as willing to help. It is very
important for everyone to make their doctor a partner in their
healthcare. Doctors are not scary people, they want to help their
patients.
In America, obesity is on the rise and
in very alarming rates. It is a well know fact that chronic obesity
increases a persons likelihood of developing diabetes, high blood
pressure, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancers. There is
no shortage of reasons why chronic and morbid obesity are real road
blocks preventing people from fully enjoying their lives. In the
world of fad diets there is no shortage of extreme or special food
diets where a severe lack of proper nutrition can do all kinds of
harm to the dieters body and internal organs. There are also no
shortage of special diets where consumers are using pills, powders or
shakes. These products can easily contain compounds with unknown
side effects or drug interactions that potentially have unacceptable
or even fatal side effects. All too often, these compounds are all
labeled “Homeopathic”, “Natural”, “Organic”, “Pure”
or something to that extent. Just because it grows in nature does
not mean it is safe to put into ones body.
A few examples of note are the hemlock
plant. The
plant has small white flowers many consider attractive. The flowers
when matured can be up to six inches from petal to petal. This
flowering plant happens to be the source for one of histories
most famous poisons. The next example is the strawberry frog. The
head and body of the frog are strawberry-red color with blue lower
body parts. This little red frog seems harmless yet it just happens
to make it on the top 10 list of deadly frogs. The strawberry frog
and hemlock plant are both all 100% natural and 100% organic and 100%
lethal.
In the U.S. if you go to the doctor
and get a “medication” that medication is strictly regulated and
tested by the United States Food And Drug Administration (FDA). The
drug manufactures are required to follow many guide lines and testing
protocols in regards to their products and the approval process. A
few important examples of these things are:
#1)To do clinical testing for efficacy.
#2)To do clinical testing for safety.
#3)To establish proper dosage
procedures.
#4)Fully disclose known side effects.
#5)Properly label products for consumer
safety.
This truly an expensive and lengthy
process that the FDA requires to prove that the medication or drug
actually works as labeled and is safe for consumers. Despite the
best efforts of the FDA this process is not perfect or even fool
proof. Even the FDA has approved medications and drugs and later
recalled them due to the previously unknown harm or injury those
products have caused. It is common practice that doctors have to
take the word of the pharmaceutical companies, FDA and medical
publications about the medications they prescribe to us. Typically
consumers go on the notion that if the doctor gives a prescription
that medicine is “automatically” good and safe. Patients usually
take those medications without a second thought towards possible side
effects or possible adverse reactions with other medicines they are
already taking. It is also happens that there are so many different
medications and patients can be on multiple prescriptions from
multiple doctors the potentials for drug interactions increase with
each added medication. With all of the possible combinations of drugs
the list of possible drug interactions and side effects of those
interactions may not be know to the medical community.
The industry of nutritional
supplements and diet programs is even more problematic. Diet
programs are often created by self proclaimed gurus. Nutritional
supplements can be compounded by anyone with enough money and access
to a manufacturing facility. The freedoms and liberties Americans
have the ability to enjoy is truly wonderful. However with those
freedom comes the obligation that Americans have to take
responsibility for themselves. In the United States the diet and
supplement industry is a multiple billion dollar per year industry.
$1,000,000,000.00 is how one billion dollars is written out
numerically. With that many zeros, it is no wonder there is no
shortage of people hungry to get their share of that pie.
In the U.S., if a product is labeled
“nutritional supplement” it does not undergo FDA testing and
approval. In fact, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
of 1994 (DSHEA) says the following: The dietary supplement or
dietary ingredient manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a
dietary supplement or ingredient needs to be “safe” before it is
marketed. This law was created to give the consumers the ability to
file lawsuit for damages if they are harmed by an knowingly unsafe
product. The FDA is only responsible for taking action against any
unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. The
FDA will not test or approve any product that is a “nutritional
supplement”. In fact there is no legal standards for efficacy or
consumer safety in any of these products other than the guide line of
“safe”. There is nothing that ensures products have any effect
beyond a placebo effect. The only thing that may happen if a product
does not provide a person with benefit is the customer may stop
buying the product.
Consumers are forced to simply take the
word of the manufacture printed on the labels. Many of these
products claim enormous health benefits neatly packaged in a fancy
bottle and offer little more than money out of pocket. All too often
these products promise their consumers the ability to lose weight and
work from home doing it. If that is what is desired, the beauty of
being an America is having the right to do it. However that does not
mean that product is going to be effective or even safe. Not to
mention, will those people ever make any money selling it?
As a consumer one has to educate
themselves. Citizens can no longer have blind faith that
manufactures are looking out for their best interests. Today more
than ever, there are millions of supplements being consumed daily and
the customers don't have any clue what they are taking. Until
recently, pink slime was in many companies hamburger meat. Thank
goodness for the public outcry over pink slime. Millions of American
citizens had no clue anything like that product even existed. To top
it off does anyone really know how safe many of these supplements
really are in the actual dosages they are consumed in.
Consider the possibilities of a
consumers false belief that the FDA tests everything combined with
the mindset of “it is sold in a grocery market or convenience store
it is safe” can easily lead a person into a hazardous situation.
Consider if a persons trusted friend or neighbor is selling a
supplement in a network marketing fashion does that make the product
safe. It is left for the consumer to decide. It is the consumers
personal responsibility to do the homework. This is part of the
responsibility citizens have, the responsibility to lookout for
themselves.
Here is an example of a few diet
medications and nutritional supplements that the Food and Drug
Administration and Federal Trade Commission have pulled because the
products were harming their consumers. Articles about these products
and the reasons they were pulled can easily be found on the Internet.
2004 FDA Pulls Metabolife 356
(Metabolife International, Inc.)
FDA Pulls Metabolife 356 and other
ephedra containing supplements that were linked to thousands of
serious adverse events, including deaths. “Thousands of adverse
events including deaths!!!” this is not a side effect the average
consumer should find acceptable. It seems reasonable that consumers
don't want a diet pill causing fatal heart attacks.
2009 Hydroxy cut Recall
FDA Puts recall on all Hydroxycut
products after it is shown to cause liver damage and other health
problems.
2010 FDA pulls Meridia (Abbott
Laboratories) a prescription diet medicine.
The FDA officials ordered Abbott
Laboratories weight loss drug Meridia off the market, and the company
said it would comply even though it still thinks the drug is safe.
This was a medication you could only get by prescription from your
doctor. It was shown to be causing heart disease in the patients
whom were taking this medicine.
2011 HCG Weight-Loss Products
The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said over-the-counter weight-loss products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) are fraudulent and illegal, and the agencies have told seven manufacturers to stop selling them.
The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said over-the-counter weight-loss products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) are fraudulent and illegal, and the agencies have told seven manufacturers to stop selling them.
There have been many more of these
types of recalls. There is doubt there will be many more in the
future. Consumers have to take personal responsibility and be their
own stewards of health and safety. Citizens can not depend on big
brother to do it. The U.S. government's regulatory bodies are not
perfect and can make mistakes. Fortunately they do have the ability
to pull products that they eventually deem unsafe for the American
public.
On a personal note: I sadly report,
that I too fell for the fancy network marketing and the packaging of
an ephedra based product claiming big results. I can hardly describe
the awful side effects experienced. I am lucky I did not have a
fatal reaction to that natural supplement. Unfortunately, I did not
learn my lesson there at that time. I made the second mistake of
taking Meridia. I was horrified by the psychological side effects I
experienced. Side effects that my doctor and pharmacist didn't even
mention. I guess I should have my homework and read the warning
labels or at least asked them what the risks were. I trusted that if
it came from my doctor and was therefore safe. Lucky for me, I
recognized that what I was experiencing was a medication side effect.
I immediately called my doctor and was advise to stop taking that
medicine. I had learned my lesson, finally.
At the time that this information was
being researched the leading news is about Captain Clayton Osbon of
Jet Blue Fame. It was just a few weeks prior when Osbon had made
initial headlines. Clayton Osbon is a direct marketer for health
shakes sold by Visalus Sciences, a marketing company based up in
Troy, Mich. There are a few points of thought to consider about
nutritional supplements and the companies that sell them. First the
name of this company stands out “Visalus Sciences”. That name in
its self is designed to denote status and authority. That name does
not suggest that they are simply a sales and marketing company. Does
a company like this have sufficient standards to ensure the sales
people are properly trained and educated about the possible side
effects the product can have on a consumer. If the average person
does a Google search on “Visalus Sciences scam” there are about
185,000 results. Is it possible that a company with a reputation
like that actually has the knowledge of what the contents of their
products really do and are the products they are marketing safe.
The second, is while doing this
research a conversation on the radio suggested that Osbon was eating
only his diet shakes for three meals a day and nothing else. The
discussion insinuated that this behavior might have had seriously
negative affects upon him psychologically. It is not being suggested
this is even possible or true, there was not any evidence presented
on this program to substantiate these allegations. This was the
discussion on a radio show after all. It did however reinforce the
importance of knowing what are the customers putting into their
bodies. If anything this should simply reinforce the importance of
proper nutrition and a well balanced diet. Hopefully for Captain
Osbon's sake he is getting the help that he needs.
If you want to find out more
information about health and wellness or find a new practitioner one
place you may want to visit is www.centerforbodyandmind.com.
The professionals there are dedicated to excellence in their fields
of study. Your health and wellness outcomes are very important to
all of them.
Let me give you the details of my weight loss and life style modification program.
Lets begin by disappointing you with
the following:
You will not receive any magic potions.
You will not receive any magic pills.
You will not receive any magic shakes.
You will not have to sell anything to
your friends and family.
You will not have to buy my books.
You will not have to buy my food.
You will not have to buy my diet
shakes.
You will not have to buy my nutritional
supplements.
You will not have to buy my exercise
equipment.
You will not have to buy my videos.
You will not have to pay hidden fees.
You will not have to eat some crazy
meat only diet.
You will not have to eat some crazy
juice only diet.
You will not have to follow any fad
diet of any kind.
You will have to do homework.
Now that we have gotten those things
out of the way. Yes, I said you will have to do homework. Let me
talk about what I do. My weight loss and life style modification
program is a six month program. This program looks at your life
holistically. Health, family, diet, exercise, life style, behavioral
and emotional traits are all things that are considered important
elements to this program. This is not an overnight sensation or the
latest gimmick. I will not do the work for you. You will have to
commit to taking charge of you life. You will have to do your
homework. Although it is not as difficult as it may sound, the
results of your life are under your control. I work with clients in
addressing many aspects of their lives and help clients bring about
positive change in long term and long lasting ways.
Here is a partial list of the things
that will be worked on in the program:
#1) Establishing your health and
fitness goals.
#2) Educating you on the basics of a
healthy diet.
#3) Establishing healthy eating habits
and patterns.
#4) Learning to move the body more.
#5) Creating healthy body image.
#6) Incorporating exercise programs
based on your doctors recommendations.
#7) Helping you gain inner strength and
self-confidence.
#8) Building motivation and endurance
#9) Aid you in establishing better
sleep patterns.
#10) Teach you practices for
stress-reduction and enhancing relaxation.
#11) Increasing personal empowerment.
The weight loss and life-style
modification program is a six month program that works in conjunction
with your primary care practitioners. This program incorporates a
combination of practices to include: hypnotherapy, addressing and
changing core beliefs and related triggers, nutritional guidance and
exercise. I target your weight-loss at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per
week. I do not advocate crash diets or fad diets as they are not
healthy and they do not work long term. I do not use or sell you
any diet medications, diet shakes or diet supplements because the
risk of side effects is not acceptable. In addition to negative side
effects these item are not necessary or useful for long term life
style and dietary changes. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy
treatments for weight loss can significantly increase the chances of
long term weight loss when compared to many other modalities alone.
ABC, NBC, CBS and the BBC along with numerous other major networks
around the world have all done many stories of the benefits of
hypnotherapy. Recently, Nightline aired a special on the benefits of
hypnosis for weight loss. The segment featured a client whom, with
the aide of hypnotherapy, demonstrated significant weight loss and
eliminated her need for expensive and invasive gastric bypass
surgery.
Included in the price of the program
are eight in-person hypnotherapy sessions. All homework materials and
literature required to be used in the program are also included in
the cost. Monitoring and reporting of progress to your doctor at
the three and six-month marks is also included. Based on clients
individual needs, the number of total sessions may be increased up
to 10 sessions and nine months without additional charge.
Not included in the program is the cost
of the appointment for your required medical referral from your
primary physician. Medical referrals are required for weight loss in
excess of 25 lbs and for recommendations and/or approval of an
exercise program base upon your doctors evaluation of your medical
fitness. Any costs associated with outside services from
professionals not included in the program and are therefore your
responsibility. Additional hypnotherapy sessions for elements outside
of the outlined program or outside of the scope of the program can be
purchased for a discounted rate of $115.00 per session during the
program.
This program neither recommends nor
suggests any modification of doctors orders or prescriptions unless
specifically ordered by your medical doctor. Clients are required to
actively participate in their health care outcome and are encouraged
to maintain contact with their primary physician during and after the
program for monitoring of their health status. I am are dedicated to
creating positive outcomes for all of my clients. For more information or a no risk free consultation give me a call. I will be more than happy to answer your questions.
Thank you.
Scott Bauer, C.Ht
Certified Hypnotherapist
Reno, Nv
(775) 391-3241
Certified Hypnotherapist
Reno, Nv
(775) 391-3241
No comments:
Post a Comment