One thing about being sick is the extra time you have to watch tv and analyze commercials. After analysis, I've found you really can't believe anything you watch, must do some to research on what is advertised, and not fall for the hype.
The current weight loss medications will help lose weight, but if you read the fine print they flash for a few seconds, they're only temporary, the real long term results require a change in lifestyle, and the possible side effects may be permanent. Also, they're expensive and may not be paid by insurance. Otherwise, pushing the plate away a little sooner will accomplish the same thing, and have long term results without the high price.
Many of the supplements have actors, or paid patients, to tell how wonderful their life has become, and swear by the product. The problem with all is the disclaimer required by the FDA that states the supplement is not approved, or recommended by the FDA. To make things worse for some, they've been fined for falsely claiming benefits from the product, and had to remove the claims from their commercials. When you add the extreme cost for some, research other options, and realize the hype, you find there are supplements less expensive, and none are usually needed with a healthy diet. To make matters worse for some, they authorize automatic payment from an account when taking advantage of advertised special deals. Stopping the automatic payment can be a problem and add costs to return unused products. The lack of peer-previews of tests make many suspicious of product claims, and should chase any possible consumer away from what can be nothing but junk science.
The amount of crap advertised is astounding. More astounding is the blind belief the claims are true. Most of it falls under the classification of "snake oil", and much of it is expensive. While even some advertisers have doctor testimonials, that doesn't automatically mean the doctors have any scientific backing for their claims, and many commercials have small print disclaimers that state those promoting the product are being paid, or are actors, which in my opinion, removes any credibility from their claims. They're being paid to peddle a product, and their greed may be more important than your health.
i research many of the meds advertised and have found many of them to be totally ineffective in independent studies. there's an expensive dementia drug that is 1% more effective than the placebo yet causes brain damage in 12% of test subjects, and it STILL got approved by the fda. the horror stories with ozempic etc. are just starting to come out. "easy" solutions always come with a cost, it may just take a while to see it.
ReplyDeleteEven old school medications have side effects that may be worse than what they treat. That, or make diet restrictions necessary. Reading what comes with prescribed medications is seldom done by most people, and even less for over-the-counter medications. I doubt more than 1% of people even attempt to see what is in the supplements they take, or possible problems with taking them.
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