Wednesday, June 6, 2007

SUPPLEMENTS INVADE IRAQ

An overseas military newspaper called “Stars and Stripes” published an interesting article recently. Apparently, two soldiers currently serving in Iraq felt compelled to try the weight loss supplement Hydroxycut (I can’t imagine losing weight would be my first priority if I were in Iraq, but anyway…)

Both men ended up in the emergency room. One of them, 20 years old, had a change of mental status and collapsed. The other, a 19 year old, had a potentially fatal arrhythmia. Colonel Frederick C. Good, the treating ER physician wrote a letter stating:

“Hydroxycut … should not be used in a combat zone with the inherent problems encountered in regard to hydrating adequately and eating regularly,” according to the letter. “… The use of this product or any similar products is strongly discouraged, and any remaining product should be discarded. This product and any similar products are not a shortcut to fitness, and no substitute for a regular Physical Training program.””.

Seems like straightforward advice that’s pretty sound.

Starightforward that is, unless you’re Dr. Marvin Heuer, MD!!!

You see, Dr. Marvin is the head of Iovate, and they make Hydroxycut. Here’s his take:

“My gut feeling as a physician who has worked in the emergency room is that there were tons of other factors there that may have had an influence,” said Heuer in a telephone interview…

So he’s telling our soldiers “It’s perfectly safe!” and it sounds like he’s encouraging its use, EVEN THOUGH a military doctor is advising our soldiers to avoid it. Now, I’m not sure what effect these supplements played in these soldiers’ medical problems. However, since they are fighting for our country, and since there’s potential for harm, and very little benefit, maybe Dr. Heuer could do the responsible thing and just shut the f%$# up.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Seems much more likely they thought it would keep them wired. No soldier misses chow.

Anonymous said...

The services have pretty strict rules about weight and if the two men were overweight they were undoubtedly told to lose it...or else. So taking the Hydroxycut shortcut probably looked good to them. Hopefully they are recovering and will consider the better weight solutions of exercising and cutting down on bread and sweets.
God bless them all.

Rob said...

Good Lord. Did this guy take the Hypocritical Oath by mistake? Shilling for money is one thing but putting soldiers in combat at risk is another. Does this guy do any work for the Bush administration by any chance 'cause then this would all make sense.

Anonymous said...

Most likely, as with ANY supplement, you have to be careful with how you are living, eating, working, especially with a weight loss supplement, Hydroxy cut is made up nutrients and teas that help increase metabolism and energy. If you have any knowledge of nutrition you could easily see that hydroxy cut is safe...under the right circumstances. Caffeine, green tea pills, B-vitamins, o MONSTER drinks, RED BULL, are ALL HARMFUL if taken excessively or in severe circumstances, such as HOT WEATHER, HEAVY CARDIOVASCULAR activity or STRESSFUL SITUATIONS…….Hmmm like the military. If you are in a hot climate like Iraq, JUST taking green tea regularly (as I do) and not being well hydrated or eating well, or being physically fit, (or even doing all that well) could STILL lead to a hospitalization. If you decided to take an energy boosting supplement you have to be very careful with what you are doing, and have to watch your body very carefully. Most people do not do this, they simple take whatever they want, and not paying attention to all the other details that will affect their health. Dr. Heuer's response is precisely what I think it should have been. He in no way saying that is was perfectly safe in that condition. What he was saying is that there are no inherent problems with Hydroxy cut. That does not absolve people from the misuse of his products. By the way, I am a Marine.

Anonymous said...

You have to realize that Iraq isn't at all like everyone imagines. It is a permanent duty station as far as I am concerned, much like S. Korea. The only difference is that people are still getting killed. I'm not going into the whole political thing, so I'll cut it short. The majority of people that go there stay on a Forward Operating Base or a Camp and rarely IF EVER leave. These are secure (as you can get) facilities, with MANY modern conveniences, including Gyms. Now unless somethings changed the PX (Post Exchange, Think Wal-Mart but much smaller) sells supplements in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no reason why soldiers shouldn't be eating 3 meals a day, or 4 in fact with midnight chow and drinking enough water, it's everywhere on pallets. This is a case of individual stupidity and failure to follow instructions and will most likely affect those people who are using the product according to the label.

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