Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Today, most of us use supplements. We either take a multi-vitamin, vitamin C, D or E, or  an host of other products that are marketed to help us obtain better healthier and stay there.

Well, take care when choosing those supplements. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in 2009, a number of dietary supplements were found to have prescription drugs in them. And, these drugs were not listed on the labels.

In a world in which more and more people are developing Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) it’s crucial that we as consumers know exactly is in anything we ingest.

Why is this happening?

Well, unfortunately, dietary supplements are not monitored by the FDA. This means any company can decide to open up shop and sell you anything. In addition to this, these products are not monitored for other unknown contaminants such as bacteria, insects, lead, and so on.

In the government’s infinite wisdom, a federal law was passed in 1994 that eliminated the requirement of these manufacturers to pass clinical trials.

These tests would insure the product is safe, but alas, they are no longer in place. In addition to this, these supplements are not required to be standardized.

It does amaze me that with all the people using these dietary supplements, the government doesn’t deem it necessary to place controls on them.
What this means for you and me is:

Dietary supplements can actually be dangerous, primarily because there could be ingredients that may have harmful side effects and we wouldn’t even know they were included in the product.

These companies do not have to include each and every ingredient in their products. It means we cannot assume these products are safe, even if the bottle states, “all natural.”

In an article, Danger at the Health-Food Store in the Daily Health News at BottomLineSecrets.com:

Any type of supplement could potentially be contaminated with poor-quality, even toxic ingredients. But one of the most potent dangers — the presence of active pharmaceutical medications — is most likely to be found in three categories of products: those for sexual enhancement…for weight loss… and for athletic performance. Also be wary of products marketed not just for general health but for particular conditions — such as diabetes, insomnia or high cholesterol — which are likely to contain numerous ingredients and thus pose a greater risk.

What are some precautions a consumer can take?

1. Be careful! Don’t assume a supplement company has your best interest at heart.

2. Talk to your doctor or try to find a doctor who is familiar with supplements and herbs. I actually just saw a Naturopathic doctor today because of my MSC. These doctors are well trained in this area. I will be starting a slow paced and mild detox program.

3. The above article recommended using single substance products as they would be less likely to have additional ingredients.

4. Check: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements and www.ConsumerLab.com. They can provide information on supplemental products.

5. As in all health articles I write, talk to your doctor about any supplements or programs you decide to try.

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi

http://dkvwriting4u.com

http://karencioffi.com

http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com

I know this isn’t health related, but it’s a very important issue. I think of it as our money health.

It’s funny, but I always tell my husband not to use his debit card. He tells me he feels more comfortable using it so he doesn’t have to worry about bills coming in.

Hmmmm . . . I try to explain that whether you spend $10 today or put it on a credit card and pay when due, you are still spending only $10.

Well, it seems that while it’s not the same reasoning, it is wise to use a credit card rather than a debit card in many situations.

This is from today’s Yahoo News:

“Debit cards have different protections and uses. Sometimes they’re not the best choice.

Sometimes reaching for your wallet is like a multiple choice test: How do you really want to pay?

While credit cards and debit cards may look almost identical, not all plastic is the same.

‘It’s important that consumers understand the difference between a debit card and a credit card,’ says John Breyault, director of the Fraud Center for the National Consumers League, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group.

”There’s a difference in how the transactions are processed and the protections offered to consumers when they use them.’

While debit cards and credit cards each have advantages, each is also better suited to certain situations. And since a debit card is a direct line to your bank account, there are places where it can be wise to avoid handing it over — if for no other reason than complete peace of mind.

Here are 10 places and situations where it can pay to leave that debit card in your wallet:”

Check out the rest of this informative article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/109125/10-places-not-to-use-your-debit-card?mod=bb-checking_savings

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi

http://karencioffi.com

http://dkvwriting4u.com

http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com

http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com

There’s always something new going on in NYC!

Breast Is Always Best? Mommy’s Milk Is Served At NYC Restaurant

There has been quite a stir this past week in the blogosphere, as Chef Daniel Angerer, a NYC chef that once beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef (no easy feat), announced that he was serving the customers in his restaurant, Klee cheese made from his wife’s breast milk.

Check out the rest of this interesting article at:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/breast-is-always-best-mommys-milk-is-served-at-nyc-restaurant.html

Until next time,

Karen