Supplemental Lies

Item Type text; Electronic Thesis

Authors Redpath, Chelsi Monique Randi

Publisher The University of Arizona.

Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this materialis made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona.Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such aspublic display or performance) of protected items is prohibitedexcept with permission of the author.

Download date 17/03/2021 22:39:21

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/271924

SUPPLEMENTAL LIES

By

CHELSI MONIQUE RANDI REDPATH

____________________

A Thesis Submitted to The Honors College

In Partial Fulfillment of the Bachelors degree With Honors in

Physiology

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

DECEMBER 2012

Approved by:

Dr. Zoe Cohen Department of Physiology

2

STATEMENT BY AUTHOR

This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for a degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University

Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library.

Signed: ___________________________________

3

Abstract:

Thousands of companies claim their supplement can cleanse your body, boost your immune system, and make you skinny, but is what’s written on a bottle or website really true? Is there enough research and evidence behind their claims or are they just saying whatever it takes to get your money? By comparing product claims with research literature and online sources, the scientific efficacy of MacroMicro Cleanse, Immune 24/7, and HCG ads was assessed. It was found that many claims made by these manufacturers were false and/or had insufficient evidence to support them. My study also discusses the mechanisms by which the body maintains health, focusing particularly on the function of organs and the effect of exercise and diet. This combination was found to be significantly more effective than any of the supplements reviewed. Turn on your computer and search “supplements” for detox, immune function and weight loss, and you will see hundreds of ads pop up that explain they have the answers to your health problems but realistically, most of these claims are empty promises.

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Table of Contents

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………....3

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………….4

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..5

I. MacroMicro Cleanse……………………………………………………………………8

True or False……...………………………………………………………………..11

Answers to True or False Questions……………………………………………….17

II. Immune Assist 24/7…………………………………………………………………...18

True or False……………………………………………………………………….20

Answers to True or False Questions……………………………………………….29

III. HCG Diet………………………………………………………………………….....30

True or False……………………………………………………………………….32

Answers to True or False Questions……………………………………………….38

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….39

Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………...40

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Introduction:

Supplements and the People

Many people medicate themselves with supplements to cure or improve their health

conditions rather than naturally gain health through exercise and a balanced diet.

Supplements have become so easy to obtain and use that exercising on a regular basis has

become “too much work” for people that want to live a healthier lifestyle. When a

supplement claims it can “prevent an illness,” 1 “cleanse all the systems and organs of the

body,” 43or make you high school skinny, why not just swallow a pill and then go about

your day sitting on a couch eating junk food? Millions of people rely on supplements to

handle their health care but what they don’t realize is that the claims many manufacturers

make about their supplement is either completely false or has not had enough evidence to

be scientifically proven true. “Dozens of weight loss and immune system supplements on

the market are illegally labeled and lack the recommended type of scientific evidence to

back up their health claims.” 33 A manufacturer can put ingredients in their product and

say anything they want about them to make their product sound as real and impressive as

possible. “Federal law doesn't require supplements to go through rigorous testing to prove

they are safe or even that they work.” 33 This lack of testing further proves that there is no

limit to what a manufacturer can label on a bottle. No scientific proof needs to be given

for a pill to be put into the market. Millions of dollars are spent each year on supplements

and many of those dollars are going into pills that enter then exit a body without any

beneficial effects. “A report, released by the Department of Health and Human Services

inspector general, found that 20 percent of the 127 weight loss and immune-boosting

supplements purchased online and in retail stores across the country carried labels that

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made illegal claims that they could cure or treat disease.” 33 Just because a bottle says

what’s inside will lead to great health benefits doesn’t make them true. One should take

caution before relying on a pill to do the heavy lifting of becoming healthy instead of

eating a healthy diet and exercising.

Exercise can go a long way if done consistently and right. It provides an

incredible number of benefits such as “improved memory, reaction time, balance,

flexibility, and bone strength.” 16 It also can “help alleviate loneliness, boost our immune

system, improve sleep, control blood pressure, and lower cholesterol and triglycerides.” 16

The exercise that is most beneficial depends on a person’s current health and capabilities.

Exercise can also be done to target specific health issues such as heart health. The best

form of heart health exercise is aerobic exercise because it can be done at a relatively low

intensity and utilizes aerobic metabolism, which means your body is using oxygen to

meet energy demands. This includes walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling, skiing,

skating, rowing, as well as water aerobics. “In general, a person should work up to an

aerobic exercise session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, at least three to four times a week.” 44 If

exercise is maintained throughout life, your body will show the beneficial results. It is

something many people are capable of doing but find it to be ‘too much work’ to fit into

their daily schedule. Keeping healthy should be worth making time for because if you

exercise correctly and regularly, your body’s natural functions such as cardiovascular,

immune, and respiratory health will improve.

A good diet should consist of small portions and a variety of different types of

food. Specifically, a diet should keep you at a healthy weight and fuel your body with

necessary nutrition. For example, a healthy heart can be maintained when “unsaturated

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fats, folate, antioxidants (vitamin C and E), omega-3 fatty acid, and soluble fiber”3 are

consumed. Many of these nutrients lower bad LDL cholesterol, keep arteries clear,

increase good HDL cholesterol, and overall reduce the risk of heart disease. It might be

convenient to think that eating food with high sugar and fat is ok as long as you take a

supplement pill that supposedly does the healthy work for you but steer clear of this

thought. Healthy nutritional food such as fruits and vegetables contain ingredients that

have been scientifically proven to benefit our human bodies. They come from nature and

are not man made pills that manufacturers can tempt people with by fancy and “too good

to be true” claims.

Supplements have become the “go to” health resource without actual proof that

they perform positive benefits therefore the goal of this thesis is to examine three easily

accessible supplement products and discuss the possible false claims.

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MacroMicro Cleanse: Figure 1:

(www.trielements.com)

MacroMicro Cleanse is a popular supplement that claims to cleanse and detoxify

the body. The manufacturers begin by giving a brief summary of how our body is

“bombarded with outside toxic substances every day and also create internal toxic waste,

therefore our systems and organs need continual cleansing of these toxins.” 43 The

manufacturers even go as far as stating the specific disease of gout that a person could be

susceptible to because of the harmful toxins that your body picks up every day. After they

explain the problem with your body, they move on to tell you how their product is the

best and will help you fix that. The list of claims appear as follows:

“Most sophisticated cleanse/detox supplement on the market.” 43 “Cleanse all of the systems and organs of the body.” 43 “Helps strengthen the systems and organs so they are more capable of performing the cleansing/detoxifying function on their own.” 43 “Keeps bacteria from adhering to living tissue so the bacteria can be safely flushed out of the body.” 43

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“Optimize your body's own detox activity.” 43 “Fights toxicity and stagnant waste on the macro level (organs and systems) and on the micro level (bacteria and cells).” 43 “Helps shunt excess glucose (blood sugar) to the mitochondria where it can be used to create energy, 2) helps create more efficient energy production at the mitochondria and control the free radicals that are a natural by-product of this energy production.” 43

In order to find out if these claims are true, the ingredients have to be investigated.

Even the serving size of the ingredients contained in a pill can tell a lot about the

functions of the pill. If a company states that a supplement should be taken several times

a day, it could just be a scheme to get you to purchase their product more often. This

would certainly increase the revenue of the manufacturers in a shorter amount of time.

The ingredients and serving size are stated in Table 1. The manufacturers also describe

the “effect” of many key ingredients for the consumer shown in Table 2.

Table 1:

(www.trielements.com)

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“Take 2 capsules daily for maintenance and 4 capsules daily periodically, when a more

vigorous cleanse/detox is needed.” 43

Table 2:

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is known as the universal antioxidant because it functions in both fat and water soluble systems, so, for example, it is effective in the interior of the cell as well as the cell membrane where the important fatty acids reside. This makes it more effective in helping to prevent oxidative damage to your skin that can cause blemishes, wrinkles, dryness and worse.

Artichoke Extract

Artichoke Extract stimulates bile production which helps break down hard fats. It also helps nutrient absorption and elimination of waste.

Broccoli Extract

Broccoli Extract is rich in the sulfur containing nutrients your body needs to support critical detoxifying enzymes.

Cranberry Extract

Cranberry Extract consists of components of the cranberry recognized for the ability to inhibit bacteria adhesion to tissue.

Grape Seed Extract

The active ingredients in Grape Seed Extract (Proanthocyanidins) inhibit the enzymatic breakdown of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid to strengthen blood vessel walls, including capillaries. This helps red blood cells penetrate into the microcirculatory system and prevent fluids from leaking out of the capillaries. As a powerful antioxidant it helps prevent oxidative damage to blood plasma and lipids.

Milk Thistle Extract

Milk Thistle Extract is the best-known cleansing/detox herb. It supports healthy liver function. It protects the liver by stimulating regeneration of new liver cells and inhibiting the passage of toxins into liver cells.

N-Acetyl Cysteine

N-Acetyl Cysteine stimulates the production of glutathione, the body's most important detoxifying nutrient. NAC supports respiration by helping to thin stubborn mucous. It also helps detoxify and protect against chemicals and heavy metal toxins such as mercury and arsenic.

Pomegranate Extract

Pomegranate Extract is one of nature's richest sources of ellagic acid. It works at the cellular level to protect cells from alteration and damage.

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True or False: 1. It is possible to cleanse all the systems and organs of the body with a supplement? 2. The claims made regarding the ingredient Milk Thistle Extract have been accepted as a scientific fact? 3. Many of the manufacturer’s claims in respect to the ingredient N-Acetyl Cysteine have been found to be true? 4. The body has organs that are efficient in eliminating harmful toxins from the blood? 5. Taking Vitamin C can assist the liver to drive away harmful toxins in the body? Although the ingredient’s claimed functions look intriguing and sound professional,

one should take caution before immediately taking these words as the truth. I will discuss

two of the ingredients as an example and find out what they are really capable of.

Milk Thistle contains a chemical known as silymarin. This is the main active

ingredient within Milk Thistle and has been shown to be an “anti-inflammatory and

antioxidant.” 10 Many researchers have tried to prove that silymarin has positive liver

benefits but “the quality of the research has been uneven.” 26 Milk Thistle “has been

reported to have protective effects on the liver and to greatly improve its function” but

there is just not enough of this evidence to prove this is the actual effect of Milk Thistle.

Many “reviews of literature covering the clinical studies of silymarin vary” 26 in their

outcome. One review examining a study “with a double blind protocol concluded that

Milk Thistle and its derivatives had no significant effect on mortality or course of disease

in individuals with alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C disease.” 26 Another study showed

that Milk Thistle “significantly reduced the viral load” 14 of patients with hepatitis C. In 7

of the subjects the “virus decreased to undetectable levels after 14 days of therapy.” 14

Other studies have found that a placebo has done the same work as Milk Thistle so Milk

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Thistle cannot be solely responsible for the positive liver benefits. Milk Thistle side

effects are rare but “ some people experience headaches, stomach pain, and even joint

pain.” 26 Overall, some studies found improvements in the liver function while others did

not therefore, Milk Thistle is not completely proven to do what MacroMicro Cleanse

claims it can do.

N-Acetyl Cysteine is another ingredient MacroMicro Cleanse claims to help prove

its miraculous detoxifying and cleansing powers. N-Acytl Cysteine “comes from the

amino acid L-cysteine.” 28 N-Acetyl Cysteine has been proven with enough sufficient

evidence to “reduce the death rate and prevent permanent harm caused by acetaminophen

or Tylenol poisoning, reduce mucous lining in various lung conditions,” 28 and increase

levels of glutathione. In this case, MacroMicro Cleanse was somewhat truthful about a

couple of the claims they made but still managed to throw in claims that have not been

proven true. There is “insufficient evidence for removing heavy metals such as mercury,

lead, and cadmium from the body.” 28 MacroMicro Cleanse not only mentions what they

claim to be genuine and honest but also fails to mention certain side affects that

ingredients can cause. One study experimented specifically on side effects of N-Acetyl

Cysteine and found that “forty-five patients developed side-effects to N-acetyl Cysteine

and 18 of 42 patients developed systemic side-effects. Asthmatics were 2.9 times more

likely to develop side-effects.” 38 These side effects include “nausea, vomiting, and

diarrhea or constipation, rashes, fever, headache, low blood pressure, and liver

problems.” 28 N-Acetyl Cysteine can also cause drowsiness, which could be an issue

while driving or swelling in the mouth, which could affect breathing.

The Physiology Way: Toxins can be very harmful to the body as a toxin is “a poisonous substance that is

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produced by living cells or organisms and is capable of causing disease or neutralizing

antibodies when introduced into the body tissues.” 42 Toxins may include smoke,

pesticides, bleach, and high amounts of mercury and cholesterol. It is true that our body

picks up toxins, some are even natural toxins like ammonia and free radicals, but one

should immediately think that if our body does this, shouldn’t it have a way of cleansing

itself from these toxins without the aid of a supplement? Of course our body does! Our

survival would significantly decrease if the only way we could clear a toxin that enters

our body was by a pill. In fact, it is impossible to detoxify our entire body by a pill. The

human body is already so good at maintaining homeostasis (internal equilibrium) by itself

that a pill is not necessary. Certain supplements may be able to assist an organ or system

by increasing enzyme reaction rates but they cannot cleanse or detoxify an organ all on

their own. Supplements are also not able to target specific organs. Once a pill is taken,

your body will break it down however it wants to and your mind cannot direct it to a

desired target. The pills can also be degraded in stomach acid rendering it useless. Our body can already cleanse itself of harmful toxins using specific organs. These

organs include the liver, colon, and kidneys.

The Liver:

Figure 2:

(http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-liver)Figure2 shows the anatomy of a liver as well as the gall bladder where bile is stored.

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The liver strikes the first attack by “preventing toxic substances contained in foods

from passing into your blood stream.” 41 The liver can do this by converting a toxic

component into a nontoxic component, which can easily be discarded through the colon

and kidneys. A good example of this would be alcohol. Enzymes within the liver will

convert alcohol “first into acetaldehyde, then into acetate, and finally into CO2 and

water.” 18 This is shown in Figure 3. Another example is ammonia which is a toxin

created by the body. When proteins are used for metabolic purposes such as during the

Citric Acid Cycle, ammonia is formed as a byproduct. This ammonia is converted into

urea, which then exits the body through urine.

Figure 3:

(http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm) The acetate can be broken down into CO2 and water when it becomes oxidized through the citric acid cycle.

If toxins are already present in the blood, the liver can remove these by filtering the

blood. This is a great way that our body detoxifies itself. The liver is capable of filtering

two quarts of blood per minute and when it is functioning at full capacity, “99% of toxins

are filtered out of the blood” 18 before it exits the liver. It does this with the help of

Kupffer cells from the reticuloendothial system or RES. Kupffer cells are a type of

macrophage immune cell that exists within the liver. These cells participate in the

“destruction of bacteria, old blood cells and other foreign substances that accumulate in

the blood stream.” 23 Bile is another way the liver can detoxify the body. It is created in

the liver and stored in the gall bladder. Bile eliminates toxins by excreting them through

the colon. Lastly, the liver decreases the potency or neutralizes toxins. It may also change

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toxins into “more water soluble forms so that these toxins can be released through the

bile or urine.” 18 The liver’s way of detoxification is so sufficient that even if a toxin gets

into our body, it has no time to harm us because the liver can remove it from so many

different directions.

The Colon:

Figure 4:

(http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-colon) Figure 4 provides a view of the small intestine, large intestine or colon, and rectum.

The colon, also known as the large intestine, contains bacteria that produce

chemicals, which help excrete toxins before damage occurs. In order for toxins to be

eliminated by the colon, feces need to form. This is done by mixing together “fiber,

water, vitamins, mucous, and bacteria that live in the large intestine.” 46 As the feces

moves through the colon, the lining absorbs water, vitamins, and minerals to be reused in

the body. The feces will continue to move until it reaches the rectum where it will exit the

body through the anus. At this point, the toxins have been eliminated and any nutrients,

such as sodium and potassium, that was mixed in the feces earlier has already been

absorbed by the body before it was excreted.

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The Kidneys:

Figure 5:

(http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-kidny) Figure 5 shows the details of a kidney both on the inside and out.

Both kidneys are “constantly filtering your blood and getting rid of toxins which

are excreted in the urine.” 29 Nephrons, which are located inside each kidney, play a

direct role in waste removal. In the nephron, a tiny blood vessel known as the glomerulus

connects with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. The glomerulus “acts as a

filtering unit and keeps normal proteins and cells in the bloodstream, allowing extra fluid

and wastes to pass through.” 29 A mixture of waste and nutrients travel through the

tubules and during this journey, useful chemicals such as sodium, potassium and glucose

are reabsorbed into the blood while the unwanted waste continues to travel towards the

bladder. In addition to removing wastes, the kidneys release three important hormones.

These include erythropoietin, renin, and calcitriol. Erythropoietin “stimulates the bone

marrow to make red blood cells, renin regulates blood pressure, and calcitriol helps

maintain calcium for bones and for normal chemical balance in the body.” 48

What Works: Together, these organs do a phenomenal job keeping our body clear of substances

that can hurt us. There is no need for a pill to do work that is already being done

efficiently and effectively by the liver, colon, and kidneys. However, there are ways to

assist our body so that each organ and system is at maximum performance for cleansing

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and detoxification. Below are just a few ways that you can naturally help your body’s

ability to detoxify without relying on a pill that may or may not work.

1. Eat plenty of fiber! Fiber especially helps the colon because it can absorb large amounts of water making feces easier to pass through the colon.

2. Exercise! This benefits all systems of the body and is easy to accomplish. Exercise is especially good for the cardiovascular system because it increases blood flow, which gets more oxygen to working muscles and also moves more blood to the filtering organs.

3. “Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.” 40 Vitamin C can also neutralize free radical toxins that are produced in the body.

4. “Drink at least two quarts of water daily.” 40 Water keeps you hydrated and can assist in detoxification such as consuming alcohol. Alcohol will have less of an affect if plenty of water is consumed beforehand.

5. Reduce stress. Stress causes hormones that suppress important systems such as the immune system. Stress can also lead to “headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping.” 40

6. “Breath deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.” 40 This can help alleviate stress as well.

Answers to MacroMicro Cleanse True or False Questions: 1. False 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. True

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Immune Assist 24/7 Figure 6:

(http://Immune247.com)

Now that a supplement that claims it can detox and cleanse the entire body has been

covered, we will take a look at a supplement that reels in consumers in a different way.

Immune Assist 24/7 had been on the market for seven years and is advertised as the

“strongest immune supplement ever.” 1 It appears that every manufacturer claims their

product is the best so already you can see that somebody is not telling the full truth and is

motivated more by money than the benefits of their product. Immune Assist 24/7

immediately grabs the attention of any person who goes to the website, with the phrase

“When you absolutely, positively can’t afford to get sick.” 1 Analyzing this sentence

gives the impression that this supplement not only helps boost your immune system but

can also boost it so much that you won’t ever get sick. If you can’t afford to get sick is a

very sly way of saying this pill will make sure you don’t get sick without actually saying

those exact words. If this pill was really capable of preventing illness, wouldn’t everyone

in the world want to take it? Wouldn’t this be a huge medical break through because no

one enjoys getting sick? Within a few sentences of advertising, Immune Assist 24/7

brings up a lot of questions that should cause a possible buyer to be wary. The rest of the

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reported claims were as followed:

-“Activates not one but all types of Immune cells” 1 -“Increased stress and insecurity decreases immune system response” 1 -“Immune Assist 247™ activates more aspects of our immune defenses than any other product available today. We all have at least 260 different types of immune cells in our bodies, with names like T-Cells, Natural Killer Cells (NK), and Macrophages, to name just a few. In order to optimize immune support we need to activate not just one type of cell, but all the different types of immune cells. It is only in this way that a strong and balanced immune response can be triggered. Immune Assist 247™ contains a combination of more than 200 different polysaccharide immune triggers, along with the potent antioxidant EGCG to help absorb and activate these vital compounds. Immune Assist 247 ™ is not a drug and it works naturally without upsetting your body’s balance. It cannot over stimulate the immune system; rather it balances all aspects of the many different types of immune cells involved in your daily defense. Because it is a natural product it may take a month or so to produce optimum results, but even from the first day your immune system will be stronger.” 1 -Immune Assist “keeps you healthy and vital by optimizing your immune system to locate, target and destroy invading organisms associated with sub-optimal health and aging.” 1 The ingredients of Immune Assist 24/7 are listed in Table 3. Notice that in this

particular ingredients chart, the serving size is 2 tablets but on another Immune Assist

24/7 website, the suggested serving size was “3-6 capsules twice per day with meals.” 15

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Table 3:

(http://www.immuneassist247.com)

True or False: 1. Our body contains over 260 types of immune cells? 2. By taking an immune boosting supplement, our immune system will be so strong that we will never get sick again? 3. Research has been shown that mushrooms produce health benefits? 4. When infected a second time with a foreign invader such as a virus or bacteria, your body will recover and fight off the intruder a lot faster than the first time because of your adaptive immune system? 5. Stress cannot affect the immune system?

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The selling point of Immune Assist 24/7 is their six different mushroom-related

ingredients. Research, such as Paul Stamets review on mushrooms and cancer fighting

benefits, has shown that many mushrooms have positive medical benefits, one of which

includes boosting the immune system. With this fact, it seems that Immune Assist 24/7

really works but their claims go too far. First off, activating all immune cells in your

immune system does not prevent you from getting sick. The immune system has to adapt

to new viruses and bacteria before it can fight them off. Even if every cell was ready to

fight, there is no guarantee that your immune system can beat the infection, especially if

the infection is a first time infection. We also do not have over 260 immune cells. This

is a false fact as there are fewer, the most common being T-cells, B cells, Natural Killer

cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils. The cells that make up the T-cells are

Tfh, CTL, TH1, TH2, T17, and TReg. B-cells also produce five different antibodies that

include IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD.

Examining the claim that “increased stress due to insecurity will suppress the

immune system;” 1 seems to be half true. When the body is stressed, a hormone called

cortisol is released by the adrenal gland. The stress hormone cortisol “can suppress the

effectiveness of the immune system ” 25 so it is true that stress is able to decrease an

immune response. However, the term “insecurity” is where Immune Assist 24/7 stretches

the truth. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines “insecurity” as low confidence in

one’s self. Insecurity could only cause an immune suppression if it activates the release

of cortisol but being insecure does not automatically mean the body is stressed. There is

no proof that insecurity leads to a cortisol stress release.

Taking an inside look into ingredients gives more information than what Immune

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Assist 24/7 wants you to know. For example, one study showed that the ingredient

Agaricus Blazei may have a strong correlation with liver damage. Another ingredient of

Immune Assist 24/7 called ECGC has also been shown to have negative side effects.

ECGC or Epigallocatechin gallate is “a chemical substance (polyphenol) found in green

tea and mushrooms, which helps with the production of certain proteins and alkaloids.” 36

Although ECGC can assist the immune system by “preventing the binding of viruses to T

cells,” 36 it can only do this if the ECGC happens to bind to a T cell first. One negative

side effect that can arise from ECGC is an “interference with platelet formation.” 36

Platelet formation is extremely important especially when injury occurs such as a cut to

the skin. This is because the body would continue to bleed if platelets were not able to

close the wound. This side effect could potentially be very harmful, not to mention,

interfering with platelet formation upsets the “body’s balance” 1 even though Immune

Assist 24/7 made a claim that this supplement does no such thing.

The ingredient Cordyceps Sinensis, which is a “genus of ascomyete fungi,” 7 was

actually discovered to provide medical benefits but there is a catch. This was found in

mice, not humans! The body of an animal can be incredibly different from that of a

human and so any medical treatments used on animals won’t automatically give the same

outcome in humans. It was shown that “in animal models, there is preliminary support for

some of the traditional medicinal uses but there are no clinical studies demonstrating

health benefits of Corycep Sinensis in humans.” 7 Even with a positive outcome, the

methodologies of studies can ruin any good news of research if they are not met to high

standards. Three different reports summed up the conclusion that “animal studies of

Cordyceps Sinensis and its chemical constituents suggest potential therapeutic

23

applications; however, despite a significant number of clinical studies, the overwhelming

majority had poor methodologies, making definitive statements about the efficacy of

Cordyceps Sinensis premature.” 6 32 47 Overall, the ingredients of Immune Assist 24/7 had

mixed results and because of this, the claims that the manufactures made do not have

enough evidence to be considered completely true.

A critical summary of Immune Assist 24/7, from another supplement company

known as Biobran MGN-3, is given below. This summary gives a perspective on how

other manufactures view big companies and the little research that can go behind claims

of supplement pills.

“Immune-Assist™ has hardly any bone fide published clinical research behind it — their own website lists only a few small clinical studies done with the actual product, two in a Chinese hospital and one in Ghana, research that would be dismissed by most Western doctors as not being substantial enough for risking on very sick patients. And yet, reading their website you gain the false impression that this product has substantial research behind it and that it represents a breakthrough in immune system health.” 5

“Immune Assist has very little research behind it and rides mostly on hype and fallacious arguments. Making claims based on conjecture is unfair and misleading. And the little research they do have has been done in either China or Africa, research which would not be taken seriously here in the Western countries.” 5

The Physiology Way: Our body has a natural way of dealing with invaders that could harm us, such as

viruses and bacteria. Our immune system doesn’t necessarily need assistance because the

organs of our immune system already work hard and efficiently. These organs include

the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and Peyer’s Patches (which is part of the

mucous associated lymphoid tissue.)

The bone marrow creates immune associated cells such as natural killer cells, T-

cells, macrophages platelets, B-cells, and granulocytes. A process known as

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hematopoiesis takes place in the bone marrow. This process involves “differentiation of

bone-marrow-derived stem cells” 22 into mature cells of the immune system or precursors

of cells that will move out of the bone marrow and continue their maturation somewhere

else.

The thymus gland functions to transform immature T-cells, from the bone marrow,

into mature T-cells so they can proceed into the blood stream. If any T-cells do not work

properly, the cells are immediately eliminated to ensure an efficient working immune

system. T-cells that would be eliminated are those that attack itself or do not perform any

action at all once in contact with a foreign invader. Only T-cells that recognize

themselves plus a foreign antigen make it through the thymus gland and into the blood

stream.

The spleen is composed of many cells, which include “T-cells, B-cells, natural

killer cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and red blood cells.” 22 The spleen filters the

blood by trapping foreign invaders found in the blood stream. This happens when

macrophages and dendritic cells bring antigens or foreign invaders to the spleen, which

causes activation of B-cells and/or T cells. With the help of T-cells, B-cell activation

produces large quantities of antibodies, which can recognize the foreign invader and

destroy any invaders of that same type that may still be lurking in the body.

“Just like the way the spleen filters the blood, lymph nodes filter the interstitial

fluid present between the cells of the human body.” 22 Lymph nodes can be found through

out the body in the lymphatic system. They are made up mostly of B-cells, dendritic

cells, macrophages, and T-cells. They act as “immunologic filters and drain the lymph

from most of the body tissues and filter out the antigens present in them, before allowing

25

the lymph to return to circulation.” 22

Lastly, the Peyer’s patches help the immune system because they contain

macrophages, B-lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and T-lymphocytes. The Peyer’s patches

are part of the gut-mucosa associated lymphoid tissue and “underlies mucosa, especially

in the small intestine.” 4 Any foreign invaders or antigens entering the intestinal tract will

encounter the immune cells in the Peyer’s patches and immediately be eliminated or

stopped before they can cause damage.

Cells of the immune System:

The cells within organs are very important in the battle to fight off an illness. As

mentioned earlier, there are a few commonly known T-cells, which all mature in the

Thymus. These include “Th1, Th2, Tfh, Th17, Treg, and CTL (or killer T cell).” 4 The

main goal of the T-cells is to intensify immune system responses by secreting specialized

factors, which can activate white blood cells to fight off infection. The Th1 cell secretes

cytokines that have “pro-inflammatory responses responsible for killing intracellular

parasites and for perpetuating autoimmune responses.” 22 Cytokines produced by Th1

cells are IFN-g, TNF-b and IL-2. Th2 cells produce the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-

13. Th2 cytokines such as IL-5 stimulates eosinophilic responses while IL-4 activate

macrophages and are involved in the healing process of the body. Th17 cells “make the

inflammatory cytokine IL-17 and resemble Th1 cells.” 4 Tfh cells or follicular helper T-

cells produce IL-21 cytokines and “providehelptoBcellsbothtoformgerminal

centersandtodifferentiateintomemoryBcellsandplasmacellsforgenerationof

humoralimmuneresponses.” 4 A humoral immune response involvestheuseof

antibodiestoattackanyforeigninvaderslikebacteriaandviruses.Thisdiffersfrom

26

cell‐mediatedimmunity,which“involvesthedestructionofselfcellsdamagedby

mutationsorinfectedbyviruses.”22Reg T cells “suppress the activation and function

of T helper cells.” 4 Lastly, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes or CTL cells kill infected cells once

in contact.

Natural killer cells are capable of acting like T-killer cells by functioning as

effector cells. They directly destroy tumor cells as well as cells infected by viruses. 22 The

biggest difference between these cells and T-cells is natural killer cells do not have to go

to lymphoid organs first, before eliminating a target.

The B-cells main function is to produce IgA, IgD, IgM, IgA, and IgE antibodies.

Antibodies can lock onto antigens but cannot destroy it without the help of other cells

such as T-cell or substances such as complement.

Granulocytes include three different types of cells known as neutrophils,

eosinophils, and basophils. These cells are “mostly responsible for the removal of

parasites and bacteria from the body, by engulfing and degrading them.” 22 Macrophages

are involved in a process known as phagocytosis. They locate and ingest foreign

substances and then present them to T-cells and B-cells of the immune system. Lastly,

dendritic cells can initiate the immune response by engulfing antigens and presenting it

before T-cells. Most of the cells involved in the immune system can be seen in Figure 7.

27

Figure 7:

(www.cancer.gov) Figure 7 illustrates several of the immune cells that help fight off foreign antigens as well as show where the cells come from. With out the efficient work of these cells, we would become ill frequently and possibly die depending on the infection. Action of the Immunogens/Pathogens:

When antigens are detected in the body, several cells of the immune system work

together to eliminate and take care of this problem. Your own body also creates antigens

called “HLA antigens, but your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal

and usually does not react against them.” 20 After a cell, such as a dendritic cell, detects

and engulfs an antigen, other cells can become activated such as B-cells, which will

produce antibodies once activated. A person should not get as sick from the same

infection twice or should recover a lot faster than the first time if B-cells are working

properly. This is because the process of creating an antibody that recognized the antigen

has already been done so a memory B cell is formed. The memory B cell still needs to

produce antibodies when an antigen invades a second time but the immune response will

be faster and more efficient because there are more cells that recognize the antigen.

28

Antibodies not only help in the process of eliminating foreign invaders but can also

“neutralize toxins produced by different organisms.” 22

Types of Immunity:

Different types of immunity exist so your body can have the most maximal defense

system possible. The first type is innate immunity, which involves barriers that keep

harmful materials from initially entering your body. These barriers form the first line of

immune defense and include the “cough reflex, skin, stomach acid, inflammation,

enzymes in tears, and mucus.” 20 The next type of immunity is called acquired immunity.

You gain this immunity over time and it “develops with exposure to various antigens.” 20

What Works: If you are looking to enhance your immune system or assist it then you can do this

without relying on a pill just as you could to detoxify your body. Even the manufactures

state that “no supplement can take the place of a healthy lifestyle and good diet” 1Below

is a list of seven different ways you can help your immune system and these are just a

few.

1. Eat protein at every meal. “Antibodies that help fight disease are actually made of protein. Many foods high in protein also contain zinc. This is a mineral that helps “the production of infection-fighting white blood cells” 22 Low protein or zinc deficiencies can greatly increase risk of infection.

2. Eat 5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day that are rich in vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin A helps white blood cells fight off infections more effectively and helps regulate the immune system. Vitamin C improves iron absorption and helps the immune system protect against disease. Vitamin E “has been shown in scientific studies to combat flu and upper respiratory infections.” 12

3. Walk 20 to 30 minutes every day. Low intensity exercise allows antibodies and white blood cells to move faster through the body because your blood flow increases. This increased circulation will allow immune cells to detect foreign invaders faster.12

4. Check vitamin D levels because low vitamin D can increase your chances of catching

29

the flu or a common cold. Generally about 50nmol/L of vitamin D is healthy and any value below 30nmol/L could cause a less efficient immune response.12

5. Reduce your stress levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can suppress the immune system.

6. When cooking, use olive or canola oil because these oils improve communication and flexibility between cells, which can increase immune function.12

7. Limit alcoholic drinks as alcohol can suppress the immune system if too much is consumed.

Answers to Immune Assist 24/7 True or False Questions: 1. False 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. False

30

HCG Diet Figure 8:

(http://www.walmart.com/HCG Dietary Supplement)

So far we have discussed detoxification and immune boosting supplements but

now, let us take a look at a supplement that claims it is the easy weight loss solution.

Obesity (a BMI of 25 or 30 respectively) is a huge problem among people today. In fact,

“two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.” 34 This makes supplements in the

weight loss industry highly desirable because everyone wants that quick and easy

solution to shed the pounds without sacrificing food or having to exercise on a daily

basis.

A man known as Dr. A.T.W. Simeons believes he has created this incredible weight

loss supplement. His supplement claims to “get the majority of energy and calories from

stored fat instead of only food in your stomach,” 24 which causes a tremendous reduction

in weight. There is even a portion of the supplement claims that states, “exercise is not

mandatory” on this diet and may “lead to frustration and discouragement because you

31

could become too easily exhausted.” 24 Any supplement that discourages exercise should

be a warning sign because exercise is one of the best ways to lose or maintain weight! If

exercise is something that should not be done while on a supplement, this could mean

exercising is too dangerous to participate in while on the specific diet. Dr. Simeon’s then

convinces his audience that this supplement works by going into detail about what hCG is

and how it works. The following are statements made by or about hCG:

“The program utilizes a natural hormone that is produced during pregnancy called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or hCG. hCG acts on the hypothalamus, signaling the body to release stored fat into the bloodstream where it is then available to be used by the cells for nourishment. This alone will not cause weight loss unless you reduce your food intake to 500 calories per day. This forces the body to use the mobilized fat from the bloodstream. hCG causes the release of abnormal fat without affecting structural fat and muscle tissue. You lose in those stubborn areas--hips, thighs, buttocks and upper arms!” 24

“When administered in relatively small doses and coupled with a very low 500 calorie diet, people routinely lose 20 pounds in 30 days. hCG has helped thousands of people lose those stubborn pounds. In addition to weight loss, many patients who have completed the hCG program also experienced many other health benefits, including a drop in cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Everyone is different - and some report mild hunger or headaches in the first week as their body adjusts - but it has become very clear that the hCG diet plan is something very special, something out of the ordinary.” 24

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Table 4:

(http://besthcgweightloss.com/no-hcg-in-walmart-hcg-drops/)

True or False: 1. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy in women? 2. If weight loss occurs while on the HCG diet, it is solely because of the supplement? 3. The average intake of calories that need to be consumed in order to maintain body homeostasis is between 1800 and 2600 calories? 4. Your body produces hormones that participate in fat burning and fat storage? 5. You can lose weight in specific areas of the body?

33

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone produced by women during

pregnancy. It is created by trophoblast cells, which nourishes the egg once it attaches to

the uterine wall and becomes fertilized.17 The purpose of this hormone is to maintain the

corpus luteum during the beginning of pregnancy. It does this by interacting with hCG

receptors within the placenta. Once an interaction takes place, progesterone is released,

which produces a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries along the uterine wall.19

The hCG hormone has been known to “repel or block the immune cells of the mother

from entering the fetus” 19 due to its high negative charge. This action helps protect the

fetus during the first trimester because the immune cells of the mother are not able to

attack the cells of the fetus. This hormone is extremely beneficial for pregnant women

but has shown no benefit in promoting weight loss according to the British Journal of

Clinical Pharmacology.

People have lost a lot of weight while on this diet but the secret to this supplement

is not the supplement itself. It is the additional rule that you have to be on a 500-calorie

diet every day. Anybody consuming this insufficient amount of food each day would lose

several pounds because you are practically starving yourself. A healthy amount of

calories per day is around “1800 to 2000 calories for women and 2000 to 2600 calories

for men.” 30 Without a higher amount of calories, your body would start to deteriorate

because all those calories are used as a fuel source for energy. It is impossible to meet

your nutritional needs for carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fiber with less than 500

calories per day. Vitamin and mineral deficiency would most likely result from this

diet.34 Even without the addition of a 500-calorie diet along with the supplement, HCG

34

diet claims were found to be misleading. In December of 2011, “the FDA and Federal

Trade Commission issued warning letters to seven companies marketing over-the-counter

hCG products labeled as “homeopathic” for weight loss.” 34 The companies faced charges

for selling a drug that had not been approved by federal law and making unsupported

claims.

The Physiology Way: Yourbodyalreadyproduceshormonesthatparticipateinfatstorageandfat

burningandhCGisnotoneofthem.Theendocrinesystemisthenaturalwayin

whichourbodyproduceshormones.Hormonessuchas“epinephrine,

norepinephrine,cortisolandhumangrowthhormoneallcontributetoincreasedfat

releaseandusageduringprolongedexercise.”8Hormonesare“chemicalsubstances

thataffecttheactivityofanotherpartofthebody.”13Whenahormonereachesa

targetsite,itbindstoareceptorandtransmitsamessagethatcausesthe“targetsite

totakespecificaction.”13Hormonescaninfluencesexualcharacteristics,growth,

digestion,reproduction,energyfueluse,andmuchmore.Althoughhormones

circulatethroughoutthebody,eachtypeofhormoneinfluencesonlycertainorgans

andtissues.Somehormonesaffectonlyoneortwoorgans,whereasothershave

influencethroughoutthebody.13

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Figure 9:

(http://www.suburbanwoman.net/story.php?ID=150) Figure 9 illustrates the different sections of the endocrine system that can produce hormones.

An example of a fat energy usage hormone is the human growth hormone. The

human growth hormone (HGH) can signal your body to utilize fat instead of glucose as

fuel directly or indirectly. For an indirect approach, it increases the amount of IGF-1 that

a liver excretes. IGF-1 prevents insulin from storing glucose into a cell, which causes

your body to burn fat. Glucose is the main source of energy our body uses as fuel but

because IGF-1 prevents the storage of glucose, fat reserves are used as fuel instead. 39 A

direct approach of fat usage is when the HGH binds to receptors on fat cells, which

stimulates the fat cells to “break down triglycerides and suppress their ability to take up

and accumulate circulating lipids, also known as fat.” 39 Leptin can also contribute to fat

usage or storage because when fat reserves are low, leptin is released and signals the

brain to tell us we are hungry. 8

Hormones are a natural process the body uses to control metabolism but a person

can assist in what fuel source they use by exercising as well. Your body has many options

as to what fuel source it will use to create energy or ATP. These sources include

36

carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Typically, the body first utilizes glucose, which is

released during carbohydrate breakdown. When the storage of carbohydrates falls short,

fats are next on the list to create energy. If for some reason fats are not available or we

are exercising anaerobically, the body will use proteins as a last resort. Exercise can help

with what fuel will be used based on the intensity level. Long and light intensity exercises

will lead to more fat usage because fat can create more ATP than carbohydrates and we

need a lot of energy if we are going to be working out for extended periods of time.

Endurance training has been shown to burn more fat than carbohydrates overall, which

shows that exercising regularly can help burn more fat than carbohydrates. Even your diet

can affect what fuel source is used because if your diet contains a high amount of

carbohydrate rich food, it will utilize this source first before switching to fat metabolism.

Fat cannot be removed in specific areas of the body so for the HCG diet to claim

that fat can be lost in stubborn areas is something that is just impossible. Your body will

use fat from either adipose tissue or intramuscular fat, which is stored in muscle fibers,

but directing which fat storage in what part of the body is used just doesn’t happen. When

you lose weight, fat loss occurs throughout your entire body at once. Fat is not only used

as fuel but as insulation as well. If your body lost fat in one specific area, then there

would be an uneven balance of insulation through out the body. Overall, your body loses

fat throughout the entire body and not just one specific area to maintain homeostasis.

What Works: The most effective way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. It

is helpful to know how many calories you eat per day and how many calories your burn

in your everyday life. “To lose one pound of fat, you must burn about 3500 calories over

and above what you already burn doing daily activities.” 45 This will be slightly different

37

for every person because people have different metabolic rates and perform different

activities everyday. An effective way to get started with weight loss is to calculate your

basal metabolic rate, (BMR) which tells you “the estimated amount of calories your body

needs to maintain basic bodily functions like breathing and digestion.” 45 This number is

the minimum amount of calories you need to take in each day to keep your body running

smoothly. Below is an estimated formula to calculate your BMR.

Women:BMR=655+(4.35xweightinpounds)+(4.7xheightininches)‐(4.7xageinyears)Men:BMR=66+(6.23xweightinpounds)+(12.7xheightininches)‐(6.8xageinyear)(http://exercise.about.com/cs/weightloss/a/howtoloseweight.htm).

Next, you should calculate how many calories you burn in your day-to-day

activities such as sitting, standing, or exercising. A heart monitor can help keep track of

this number. Lastly, keep track of how many calories you consume every day. “Sum your

BMR number with your daily activity calorie burn and subtract your food calories from

that total. If you are eating more than your BMR + your activity calories, you are at risk

for gaining weight.” 45 There is not one specific exercise that can burn more fat at a faster

rate than another, but the more you exercise, the more calories you burn! Here are nine

helpful tips that can lead you to a healthier lifestyle in terms of weight.

1. Snack on healthy food items throughout the day. This will help you keep from eating too much food in one meal because you are not going from an extreme feeling of hunger to very full with three meals a day.

2. Eat with others or eat without doing any other activity. Typically, if we are distracted while we eat, more food is consumed than necessary to satisfy us because we are not paying attention to how much we are eating.

38

3. Consistently look at a scale. If “your regular weight increases several days in a row, it's a red flag letting you know you need to cut.” 35 This will help you keep track of your weight gain or weight loss but be careful not to get obsessive because if you are not seeing results right away, you could become discouraged and quit trying to be healthier.

4. Building muscle or maintaining muscle mass increases metabolism allowing more calories to be burned every day. Five minutes each of push-ups, lunges, and squats (in 30-second intervals) is recommended to keep and build muscle mass.35

5. Distraction. If you start to crave a junk food, distract yourself with an activity. “Research shows that cravings only last about 5 minutes, so by the time you talk to a friend or end an activity, the urge to devour junk will have subsided.” 35

6. Eat breakfast because an early meal can jump start your metabolism and make you feel less hungry through out the day until close to dinner time.35

7. Limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol contains a high amount of calories and does nothing to quench your thirst.

8. Consume fruit twice a day. Fruit contains vitamins, no fat, and is mostly water, so you will feel full before consuming a large amount of food.35

9. Sleep longer. “Getting to bed just 30 minutes earlier and waking up 30 minutes later than you normally do can help you make better food choices, researchers report.” Sleep can also lower snacking habits when feeling fatigued or stressed.

Answers to HCG Diet True or False Questions: 1. True 2. False 3. True 4. True 5. False

39

Conclusion:

Although it may be tempting, not all supplements can be trusted. Some

manufacturers will say or do whatever is necessary to convince you to buy their product,

even if it means stretching or distorting the truth. In order for research to become

generally accepted as true or fact, several steps have to be taken. One positive outcome

from a study does not mean that information applies to a whole. We saw this in the

MacroMicro Cleanse supplement with the ingredient Milk Thistle. One study found

medical benefits from it but other studies showed no benefits at all or placebos producing

the same positive benefits as Milk Thistle. Manufacturers will also exaggerate their

product to make it sound like the biggest break through in medicine yet. Immune Assist

24/7 used this technique when the manufacturers stated indirectly that their supplement

would prevent people from getting sick. Sometimes, results can actually match the claims

made by manufacturers. Many people were discovering they lost a large amount of

weight after following the HCG diet but were naïve to give credit to the supplement it

self. It was found that the extremely low calorie intake was the main culprit for the

weight loss that people were witnessing. Above all, supplements have become too easy to

fall back on when our body is not at its peak of health. Improve your health the natural

way because unlike supplements, exercise and a healthy diet work!

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