LETTERS
Mirror feature dubious at best
In the April 23rd edition of The Mirror, an article appeared in the column DIY Health titled “Weight Loss”. The author made unscientific claims and has perpetuated myths about food safety and the process of human digestion.
1) “Fat can also form in the body from incompletely digested fats…”
Untrue! Most humans digest fat efficiently, except in cases of fat malabsorption syndromes that accompany pancreatic disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease. In these cases, steatorrhea (loose, oily, floating, foul-smelling stool) is the symptom.
2) “…cooking with a microwave – besides upping the carcinogenic content in food…”
Untrue! Microwaving food does NOT increase carcinogens. In fact, studies show that pre-cooking meat in the microwave prior to frying or BBQing can significantly decrease the amount of Heterocyclic Amines present.
3) “Including fat-burning foods…such as grapefruits and pomegranates”
Untrue! Although both of these fruits have a low glycemic index and make a good addition to a sensible diet, there has been no evidence that they actually “burn” or even help metabolize fat.
4) “Fat on the body is usually firm, whereas water weight is soft and jiggly.”
Untrue! The genetically determined composition of one’s skin and connective tissue determines how stiff/compliant your tissue is. Muscle tone, age, and rapid weight gain/loss can also be factors.
5) “The body can hoard water…we’re eating the wrong kind of salt.”
Untrue! Both sea salt and iodized salt (i.e. Mortons) contain 99+% NaCl. Sea salt may contain other trace minerals, clay and other impurities. Iodized salt contains none of these, but does contain traces of iodine, a necessary nutrient for thyroid health. According to the AMA, excess sodium intake (of either variety) greatly increases the chance of developing hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
6) “…most people are carrying around 5 to 10 pounds of undigested food…caked in the small and large intestines…shows as a bulging gut”
Untrue! Even those with slow transit time and/or chronic constipation do not have UN-digested food in their gut (Undigested food typically makes a rapid exit!).
7) “Oxy-Powder™…oxygen is the main active ingredient”
Untrue! This product’s main ingredient is Magnesium Oxide. Magnesium, in large quantities, is a laxative and works by drawing water into the bowel and Magnesium Oxide is known to be one of the least absorbable types of Mg on the market. The claims for its oxygenating benefits are false – O2 is a gas and will find its way out of the intestines in either direction. Breathe it, don’t eat it!
Colon cleansing, as advocated by the author, can be dangerous. According to Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco M.D., “The only appropriate use for colon cleansing is in preparation for a medical examination of the colon. Your colon normally eliminates waste material and bacteria and absorbs water and sodium to maintain your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. Some colon-cleansing programs disrupt this balance and can be harmful by causing dehydration and salt depletion.”
- Kim LeMoon
- Highland Park, NJ