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Still Looking for Those Miracle Products

The American consumer has not given up on its quest for the miracle health products, designed to keep us young and disease-free. This can be evidenced millions of dollars we spend every year on products which are for the most part safe, but fall very short of performing as advertised!

For example, there are three heavily-marketed juice products available that make pretty "big" claims with very little evidence to back them up. But that doesn't stop some people from shelling out $35.00 to $40.00 a bottle, with profits rising into the billions for these companies! If you like the taste and can afford the price, no harm will come of such a purchase. But if you are spending money that makes your budget really tight in hopes of a miracle, you should stop, because you won't find it in these juices (at least there is no sound evidence to support their claims.)

While there are many products on the market, Nutrition Action Healthletter, November 2006, featured three that are commonly known. They are Mangosteen, Noni Juice and POM Wonderful (from pomegranates.) (The mangosteen, noni and pomegranate are fruits.) POM Wonderful has a little bit of research behind some of the claims, but the numbers are extremely small, and no one should rely on this product as a substitute for medical care.

Then there are those memory enhancers…and there are MANY over-the-counter products on the market! Most of them lack any sound evidence that they work. Some have a bit of scientific research behind them. They are basically divided into four types of products containing antioxidants (examples-lipoic acid or bacopa); neurotransmitters examples-choline, DMAE, Huperzine A, phosphatidylserine); B vitamins (examples-folic acid) and/or blood boosters (examples-ginkgo biloba and vinpocetine.) These products all have two things in common: there is little, if any, research to back their claims and they are all making big bucks for their producers. There are two prescription drugs, Tacrine and Aricept, which are examples of neurotransmitters that have been researched and are used in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. However, their effects have been modest.

For most of the above components of memory enhancers, no great physical harm has been attributed to their use. However, they do cost money, so they may impact you financially. For some, there may be a placebo effect, from feeling that you are taking control over something you fear losing control over.

It is understandable that we all want to live healthy and long! No one can fault us for that. But unfortunately, there are many entrepreneurs who take advantage of our desire for health and longevity. Beware of what you buy and what you put into your body, especially if you take other medications.

For information on either of these topics, District residents (Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you can request information online or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203)248-4528
Fax. (203)248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org