Lose Your Weight But Not Your Health
Blog by R. Bazargan.
There are now thousands of diet and weight loss products in the global market. Which ones are effective? There seems to be no "silver bullet" (American expression similar to "teer-e khalaas") for weight problems. Most experts agree that a combination of regular exercise and healthy diet, lifestyle and mindset (mental peace) will help most people. I have read many books on the topic and plan to share my findings with you over time. I would like to start today by cautioning you that many weight loss suggestions and diets may severely and irreversibly ("Bargasht napazeer") damage your body.
Fen-Phen was a weight-loss medication that was widely used until a few years ago. Over time, an increasing number of people taking Fen-Phen reported heart valve problems. By 2004 FDA (American Food and Drug Administration) had received hundreds of reports on Fen-Phen related heart problems and even deaths. There was an estimated 50,000 lawsuits filed by Fen-Phen victims against the Pharmaceutical manufacturer. Although this medication is no longer offered in the U.S., unfortunately it may still be available to other countries in the world.
Many weight loss diets indicate they're herbal-based ("Gyahee") to imply they are safe. This ISN't always the case. The basic component of a popular herbal-based weight loss supplement, Ephedra has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and in Germany, Japan and India to cure asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, allergy, etc. However, there has been thousands of reports linking ephedra to heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and deaths. FDA has received in excess of 2000 reports of adverse events, including death, associated with dietary supplements containing ephedra. (See GAO Report) Unfortunately, these supplements are still being sold in many countries, on line and even on Satellite TV broadcasts. I have seen a potentially harmful weight loss pill advertised on some Persian Satellite TV channels for sales to Iran and Arabic countries
Even popular diet foods such as diet (light) sodas, sugar-free products or sugar-substitutes, used by millions of people around the world cannot be guaranteed as safe. For example, one of the most popular artificial sweeteners is Aspartame, also sold under various trade names such as Equal, Nutrasweet, etc. Aspartame can be found in more than 6000 diet foods such as most diet (light) soda ("Nooshabeh") brands. There is a great deal of controversy on the possible connection between aspartame and brain tumors, brain lesions, lymphoma, headache and aggravated PMS for women. (see for example: Natural News). It is known that high levels of phenylalanine, Aspartame's major component, in body fluids can cause brain damage (see Dr. Weil's Page). The history of Aspartame is also very intriguing. There are many sites and articles dedicated to how aspartame got approved, and the role of Donald Rumsfeld, the former Secretary of Defense and the architect of the invasion of Iraq, in manipulating the approval process. For example, see the Article on Aspartame).
The morale of today's discussion: You HAVE TO do your own research, preferably on non-profit or government websites, universities, and books which are not trying to sell you a product! The key is to educate yourself about your body and various foods and drugs. As Eleanor Roosevelt (wife of a former American President) once said: "No one can take advantage of you without your permission." Or as we used to say in Persian; "Az Maast ke bar Maast!"
So the next time someone tries to sell you a diet pill or food for quick weight loss, think about what else can you lose fast along with your weight and appetite. It could be your health. After all, sick people don't have much appetite anyway. And dead people lose all their weight fairly fast! To lose weight by these dangerous and questionable methods, is like killing your appetite by smoking and increasing your average metabolic rate by depriving yourself of sleep!
We all need to be nicer to our bodies and minds. I have seen Americans who only use premium food for their dogs and cats, and premium gasoline for their big trucks, and then for their own fuel (food) go to fast food places like McDonalds and buy the cheapest junk food. We have another wise saying in the U.S. "There is one born every minute," referring to fools!
