Health and Fitness : Tip-Offs to Find Rip-Offs

Rachel Wall, Nutrition and Health Specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach

By Rachel Wall

Every day we hear about a new super­food, the next miracle cure, or a pill that provides overnight weight loss. Health fraud scams have been around for hundreds of years. Manufacturers behind these “miracle” products prey on consumers’ desires for easy solu­tions to difficult health issues to pad their bottom line.

Fraudulent products not only will not work, they could cause serious injury. The U.S. Food and Drug Administra­tion (FDA) found over 100 weight-loss products that were illegally marketed as dietary supplements contained sibutramine, an ingredient pulled from the U.S. market in 2010.

FDA offers these tips to spot rip-offs:

• One product does it all. Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases.

• Personal testimonials. “I’ve been cured” is an easy statement to make up and is not a substitute for scientific evidence.

• Quick fixes. Beware of any claim to eliminate a disease or condition quickly.

• “All natural.” Some natural plants are poisonous and can cause death when consumed. FDA has found products containing hidden and dangerously high doses of prescription or untested active ingredients.

• “Miracle cure.” Alarms should go off when you see this claim. If a real cure had been discovered, it would be widely reported through the media and prescribed by a health professional.

• Conspiracy theories. Claims stating that the authorities are hiding information about a “miracle cure” are untrue and unfounded.

It can be difficult to spot fraudulent claims. They can be promoted by popular televi­sion personalities or by persons perceived to be in positions of authority. If you are tempted to purchase a product with a claim, check with your health care profes­sional first.

Research-based reliable sources include: public health agencies, hospitals, govern­ment sources and websites ending in .gov, universities and websites ending in .edu, or qualified nutrition experts, such as a registered dietitian (RD) or a Nutrition and Health Program Specialist at your local extension office.

Rice Salad with Mango and Black Beans

Serves: 4 (Serving size: 11/4 cup)

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

¾ cup diced, fresh mango in ¼-inch pieces

½ cup chopped and seeded plum tomato

1⁄3 cup chopped green onion, green and white parts

Dressing:

1⁄3 cup orange juice

1 – 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 serrano chile pepper or 1- to 2-inch piece jalapeno pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 – 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Combine rice, beans, mango, tomato, and onion in mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving salad.

2. Dressing: Whirl together in blender: orange and lime juices, chile pepper, cumin, and oregano until chile is ground up.

3. Add oil and whirl to blend. Refrigerate dressing up to two hours before serving.

Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutrient information per serving

284 calories, 5 g total fat (less than 1 g saturated fat), 201 mg sodium, 51 g carbohy­drates, 10 g dietary fiber, 10 g protein

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(e-mail: wallr@iastate.edu, website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/families/) and phone: 319-337-2145)