14) "AS YET UNPROVEN" SUPPLEMENTS
b) The Good and the Bad
Typically the articles found in popular media are a mixture of good and bad, mixing well researched recommendations with recommendations for which there cannot be found any apparent meaningful statistically significant research. Many "recommendations" are just someone's "expert" opinion which ends up with a life of its own, where even the best news organizations can take up the call. For instance, on November 15th 2006, AOL ran the following:
"Blueberries
These amazing berries are on anyone's list of super foods. Recent research shows that they're brain food -- feeding blueberries to rats actually slows their age-related mental decline. Blueberries contain pterostilbene, a plant compound recently shown to have cholesterol-lowering properties. Their ORAC value (antioxidant rating) is the highest of any fruit. And blueberries are rich in fiber. Tip: Try them frozen. They taste like sherbet!Guava
Among the super foods of the world, guava is a sleeper. With a taste that's been described as "part strawberry and part pear," one low-calorie cup of this vitamin rich fruit contains a whopping 8 grams of fiber. And in one widely used test of antioxidant power, guava scored only second to blueberries, right behind kale. Guava also contains cancer-fighting lycopene.Kale
Kale is a member of the brassica family -- vegetable royalty that boasts cabbage and broccoli among its relatives. It's rich in potent cancer-fighting substances called indoles, and loaded with bone-building vitamin K. Kale has the highest antioxidant rating of any vegetable and is ridiculously low in calories. Try it tossed with olive oil, a few dried cranberries and some pine nuts.Sardines
The best kept secret in the world when it comes to health foods and the secret weapon of travelers looking for a cheap, portable, easily available source of protein. Sardines are rich in omega-3 fats, and one of the least contaminated of any seafood since they rank so low on the food chain. Eat them out of the can or throw them on some salad.Apples
The juicy red or green apple's reputation for keeping you out of the doctor's office is well deserved. Loaded with pectin (an important fiber), apples are one of the best sources of boron, a little known nutrient that helps support strong and healthy bones. An apple with a glass of water is a great natural appetite suppressant. Highest antioxidant value: Red Delicious.Coconut Oil
This superb oil has been long neglected as a healthy oil because it contains saturated fat. But not to worry: the saturated fat in coconut is a very healthy kind called MCT (medium chain triglycerides) which is easily burned by the body for energy. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, a natural anti-viral and anti-microbal. And today's excellent virgin coconut oil -- unlike the inferior products of a few decades ago -- doesn't contain trans fats.Green Tea
A superstar beverage if there ever was one, green tea helps with weight loss and helps fight against cancer. It contains EGCG, a catechin (plant compound) which stimulates metabolism and has anti-cancer properties to boot. Green tea also contains theanine, a natural relaxant which helps explain why the caffeine in green tea doesn't make you nearly as jittery as coffee.Flaxseeds
Flaxseed oil is one of the only plant sources of omega-3 fats, but the flaxseeds themselves provide the added benefit of fiber along with omega-3. Flaxseeds can be thrown on salads, tossed into smoothies, or sprinkled on vegetables. They also contain lignans, a group of plant nutrients that have been studied by the National Cancer Institute for their cancer preventive properties."If a researcher looks at all the research, there are apparently only two statements in this entire list for which there are any statistically significant studies which confirm the accuracy of the statement. We have underlined those two statements, both statements concern omega 3 oils; fish oil and flax seed oil are omega 3 oils and omega 3 oils are unquestionably good for anyone. We could not find good statistically significant experimental research which supported any of the rest of the statements in this media report. Some of the statements, while technically true, are misleading. For instance, blueberries, like many fruit including guava and flax seeds, have most of their fiber tied up in small hard seeds, which does not benefit the person eating them. And coconut oil is specifically not recommended for individuals with diabetes as it can create ketones, which a diabetic liver can have difficulty handling. The highly concentrated calories in highly refined coconut oils are also saturated fats and only recommended for those individuals who have difficulty absorbing enough fats and calories because of rare mal-absorption diseases. Coconut oil is also definitely not recommended for someone with high blood lipids who needs to lose weight.
And the last paragraph makes a very common unjustified leap. It says "lignans, a group of plant nutrients that have been studied by the National Cancer Institute for their cancer preventive properties." There are hundreds of thousands of compounds which have been studied at the National Cancer Institute, so what? Simply because a compound is "studied" in no way means that it works. Yet making that statement implies that there is some relationship. In reality there has been no relationship shown between lignin and the occurrence of any type of cancer.
Current Chapter: 14) "AS YET UNPROVEN" SUPPLEMENTS
a) Introduction
b) The Good and the Bad
c) Vitamins and Antioxidants
d) Calcium and Dairy Intake
e) Potassium
f) Phytonutrients, Catechins and Flavonoids
g) Cinnamon
h) Herbal Supplements
i) Other "Panaceas"
j) Alcohol and Coffee
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