All pills are not snake oil

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  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    OP, please show me where people have told those on prescribed medications for medical conditions to stop taking their (not at all snake oil) snake oil supplements? I've never witnessed it. Nor have I seen people told not to take vitamin and mineral supplements if they are still working on getting all they need through diet (I take some supplements myself).

    What I do see is a lot of people advising others not to spend their hard earned money on things that are proven not to work to aid weight loss, whether it's a cleanse, raspeberry ketones, teatox, green tea, whatever. Just because you're still clinging onto the false hope that you don't just have to get a grip on your calorie intake doesn't make these products any less snakey or oily.

    Really? Now I personally don't have a grip on my calorie intake? Ok yet another example of somebody commenting on something they know nothing about. Smh

    The irony of this post has broken my internet.
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
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    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    OP, please show me where people have told those on prescribed medications for medical conditions to stop taking their (not at all snake oil) snake oil supplements? I've never witnessed it. Nor have I seen people told not to take vitamin and mineral supplements if they are still working on getting all they need through diet (I take some supplements myself).

    What I do see is a lot of people advising others not to spend their hard earned money on things that are proven not to work to aid weight loss, whether it's a cleanse, raspeberry ketones, teatox, green tea, whatever. Just because you're still clinging onto the false hope that you don't just have to get a grip on your calorie intake doesn't make these products any less snakey or oily.

    Really? Now I personally don't have a grip on my calorie intake? Ok yet another example of somebody commenting on something they know nothing about. Smh

    The irony of this post has broken my internet.
    smh

  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
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    ndj1979 wrote: »
    this may qualify as one of the most useless threads every generated....

    But, but, but SIX PAGES and it hasn't been shut down yet! w00t!!!

    LMAO
    I'm addicted to sugar.

    tumblr_inline_mn2c2wuCX71qz4rgp.gif
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,646 Member
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    Patttience wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    I'm sorry I just get annoyed that I've read so many questions about supplements, and people just cut and paste "only a calorie deficit works". Or instantly post the thing doesn't work and is snake oil and will only lean your pockets. People have posted about medical issues and that's the response without reading, i.e. "my doctor prescribed such and such for my bad liver. will it make me gain weight"? response: "there are no magic pills." smh.

    I realize there are no pills that you eat whatever you want and live on the couch and lose 50 pounds a day. But some supplements might effectively curb your appetite, or give you the energy to work out, etc. and even if it is a placebo effect on some of them, so what? If you're eating better and working out more and blame the pill, what's the harm unless it's actually dangerous. I think posting that a supplement is snake oil without knowing anything about it is just as reckless as promoting something you know nothing about. Supplements obviously work for some people. I think it makes more sense to talk about specific research and what the pros and cons and potential dangers are rather than just jumping on people whenever they mention any sort of pill. If you don't know, you don't have to answer.

    I completely agree with you OP.
    Not surprised after your response on yoga headstands and "bunching" muscles. There's much more to supplement manufacturing than the public knows about. They figure it's in a bottle, so like medicine it's safe and works. Not the truth though.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
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    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    Jozzmenia have you tried any of these weight loss products, and have they made a dramatic difference to your weight loss?

    Like I said, the only thing they did for me was make me poorer..

    I've taken alot in my 35 years on earth the only ones to havr a significant memorable effect were metabolife and adipex in terms of pills. Finding a protein i liked was also a godsend for my weight loss. Had a trainer recommend lipo 6 black but told me to drink extra water because it's bad for the liver. Smh. I've done medical weight loss, weight watchers, and different shakes.

    That would terrify me. That said, I've done none of the "diets" you listed and lost weight.


  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
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    Bghere1 wrote: »
    Agree with Jozz. All things are not snakeoil. Everyones circumstances and life are different and require differing approaches. I am 48 and i work at night. 12-14 hours at night and a goodly portion of the next day is spent sleeping. Hey, guess what i am vit. D deficient what a surprise. Oh you say i should eat better, guess again i eat great. Oh get more sun. Guess again again, i have to sleep. Is that not important to my health? So sue me i take a vit. D supplement and has helped enormously. I also use protein as well as creatine and supplement my B12 via... Wait for it. INJECTIONS. Oh my heavens.
    Heads out of the sand people and sometimes outside the box also.
    My 2 cents

    So you are treating medical conditions with targeted supplements. Exactly what this thread is NOT about. Many of us do that.

  • 123user456
    123user456 Posts: 68 Member
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    ndj1979 wrote: »
    this may qualify as one of the most useless threads every generated....

    *like*
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
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    earlnabby wrote: »
    Bghere1 wrote: »
    Agree with Jozz. All things are not snakeoil. Everyones circumstances and life are different and require differing approaches. I am 48 and i work at night. 12-14 hours at night and a goodly portion of the next day is spent sleeping. Hey, guess what i am vit. D deficient what a surprise. Oh you say i should eat better, guess again i eat great. Oh get more sun. Guess again again, i have to sleep. Is that not important to my health? So sue me i take a vit. D supplement and has helped enormously. I also use protein as well as creatine and supplement my B12 via... Wait for it. INJECTIONS. Oh my heavens.
    Heads out of the sand people and sometimes outside the box also.
    My 2 cents

    So you are treating medical conditions with targeted supplements. Exactly what this thread is NOT about. Many of us do that.

    So much this.

    I take a calcium supplement because I used to get sufficient calcium from drinking a lot of milk. I no longer drink milk because I'd rather eat my calories. ;) I'm over 60, so getting sufficient calcium is a concern that my diet can no longer adequately address. So I take a calcium supplement.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,401 MFP Moderator
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    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    Caitwn wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    Actually the only reason I didn't respond was because I have a job and a long commute, and my response would be too long. But I will respond more when I get home. But I was referring not just to diet pills specifically but to everything in the realm related to anything that goes in your mouth and is posted on MyFitnessPal. That includes vitamins and prescription medications. I was pointing out how a lot of people will respond and say it snake oil and there are no miracle pills without even reading the entire post or looking at the point or without knowing anything about the product That was my frustration. But I will respond more later.

    Where did anyone say that prescriptions and vitamins are snake oil? The worst I've seen said about prescriptions (aside from the side effects) is that if you don't learn better habits while taking it, you won't have success when you eventually come off it, as they're only meant for short-term use. As for vitamins, if you aren't deficient in something, it doesn't do any good. Those things are both true.

    Ugh i just said it. I've seen it plenty of times because people don't even read the topic fully they just have the same response to everything because they think anyone posting an inquiry wants to lose 50 pounds in three days.

    Please try not to generalize. We actually could have a respectful conversation about this.

    A lot of us here end up feeling protective of people because we DO see so many posts from those wanting to lose too much weight too fast, or wanting a solution for weight loss that simply doesn't exist.

    It's really hard to see people insisting that there must be a good reason to spend a lot of money they don't need to spend and take miracle pills (some of which are straight-up dangerous; most of which are demonstrably useless) or buy wraps (also known to be useless) or whatever.

    One big problem is that the supplement industry in the U.S. is not regulated. I could put, say, some ginger and some beetle wings and some cinnamon and some honey into capsules right now, sell it as 'Metabolism-Boosting Tiger Energy' supplement at $20 a bottle, and make any claim I want to about it as long as I don't make specific claims about being able to prevent or cure medical conditions. Wanna buy some? I have testimonials from 20 of my best friends about how well it works.

    That's a problem. And pointing it out doesn't mean those doing so are being close-minded.

    I could be respectful anyway. Some people resort to personal attacks... for attention i suppose. I must be morbidly obese if i have any difference of opinion. Smh.

    And for those who bothered to read my initial post, i didn't say i support all pills or supplements or don't think people should provide information on them. But speaking of being general, the blanket and sarcastic statements don't help anyone. If someone said "does anyone know anything about metabolife" (old i know). I might say how i took it in college and it have massive energy to do more cardio and i lost about 15 pounds but one day woke up in the middle of the night with my heart racing. That would be need to know info. Saying there are no miracle pills, considering the person didn't ask if there were any miracle pills, is useless and condescending. And the term miracle pill implies someone is looking for a miracle. Thus the 50 pounds a day commenr. Asking if something curbs appetite or gives energy or curbs cravings, etc. Is not a miracle.

    While you may believe that its useless and condescending, it is disingenuous to not tell people what sciences has proven... that diet pills and most supplements do NOT work. In the 6 yrs + that I have been hear, the only time people recommend getting off a doctor prescribed pill is when it comes to an appetite suppressant (so people learn how to stay full by themselves, which will help long term success). No one has even told someone to get off of the iron, vitamin D or etc.. supplement to address a deficiency, especially when under a doctors/specialist care. Many people, especially women, require supplements to address deficiencies.

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
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    CSARdiver wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    I'...and even if it is a placebo effect on some of them, so what? .

    So you're for the promotion of things that don't work?

    A placebo is something that doesn't work (an inactive or inert substance). When there's a placebo effect, it means there was a beneficial effect.

    f5b1d3ad9e69058ddb506280e1b0b8ee.png






    I'll remember this at my next FDA review panel.

    You know, whenever we ask principle investigators to justify a placebo being used in a trial, I have no idea why they just don't say "because placebos work too"... They always have to think too hard and provide scientific rationale and stuff.
  • caroldavison332
    caroldavison332 Posts: 864 Member
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    I think that we need to stop focus on losing weight and instead focus on optimizing health. Power up your body with lots of veg, sufficient protein, fat and carbs and you will feel better, get off the couch, move, feel better and loose weight. Putting supplements, otherwise known as "speed" into your body eventually has an negative impact, meaning that you can no longer use it, and doesn't contribute to long term health. Stop looking for a magic pill. One of the reasons I am here is to avoid pills.
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
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    OP, please show me where people have told those on prescribed medications for medical conditions to stop taking their (not at all snake oil) snake oil supplements? I've never witnessed it. Nor have I seen people told not to take vitamin and mineral supplements if they are still working on getting all they need through diet (I take some supplements myself).

    What I do see is a lot of people advising others not to spend their hard earned money on things that are proven not to work to aid weight loss, whether it's a cleanse, raspeberry ketones, teatox, green tea, whatever. Just because you're still clinging onto the false hope that you don't just have to get a grip on your calorie intake doesn't make these products any less snakey or oily.

    well said.

  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
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    Caitwn wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    did OP ever come back..?


    And we learned that @slideaway1 crawls on his belly like a reptile (bonus points if you know the Ray Stevens lyrics). Photo of actual snake oil salesman below included to facilitate easy recognition.
    swbtls80317h.gif



    aww.what a cute little snake.
  • ki4eld
    ki4eld Posts: 1,215 Member
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    ndj1979 wrote: »
    this may qualify as one of the most useless threads every generated....

    But, but, but SIX PAGES and it hasn't been shut down yet! w00t!!!

    LMAO
    I'm addicted to sugar.

    Low carb is the only way to lose weight! *stomps foot*
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
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    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »

    If you want to swallow the stuff, I'll support your decision and wish you well. Good luck.

    So your saying it's dangerous to take them but you will support said dangerous decision??

    That's like saying it's not safe to jump off the Brooklyn bridge, but I'll support your decision to do it.


    She's probably tired of people getting b*tthurt and tell her she's mean for telling them the truth.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
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    smantha32 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »

    If you want to swallow the stuff, I'll support your decision and wish you well. Good luck.

    So your saying it's dangerous to take them but you will support said dangerous decision??

    That's like saying it's not safe to jump off the Brooklyn bridge, but I'll support your decision to do it.


    She's probably tired of people getting b*tthurt and tell her she's mean for telling them the truth.

    Probably, but not telling the truth is more harmful.

  • crazyjerseygirl
    crazyjerseygirl Posts: 1,252 Member
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    I think that we need to stop focus on losing weight and instead focus on optimizing health. Power up your body with lots of veg, sufficient protein, fat and carbs and you will feel better, get off the couch, move, feel better and loose weight. Putting supplements, otherwise known as "speed" into your body eventually has an negative impact, meaning that you can no longer use it, and doesn't contribute to long term health. Stop looking for a magic pill. One of the reasons I am here is to avoid pills.

    All for this!
    Except we're in the weightloss forum so we're kinda preoccupied with the losing weight thing.
  • crazyjerseygirl
    crazyjerseygirl Posts: 1,252 Member
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    auddii wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    I'...and even if it is a placebo effect on some of them, so what? .

    So you're for the promotion of things that don't work?

    A placebo is something that doesn't work (an inactive or inert substance). When there's a placebo effect, it means there was a beneficial effect.

    f5b1d3ad9e69058ddb506280e1b0b8ee.png






    I'll remember this at my next FDA review panel.

    You know, whenever we ask principle investigators to justify a placebo being used in a trial, I have no idea why they just don't say "because placebos work too"... They always have to think too hard and provide scientific rationale and stuff.

    Oh duck, the FDA is here?!?!
    *scrambles to get notebooks in order*
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
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    auddii wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jozzmenia wrote: »
    I'...and even if it is a placebo effect on some of them, so what? .

    So you're for the promotion of things that don't work?

    A placebo is something that doesn't work (an inactive or inert substance). When there's a placebo effect, it means there was a beneficial effect.

    f5b1d3ad9e69058ddb506280e1b0b8ee.png






    I'll remember this at my next FDA review panel.

    You know, whenever we ask principle investigators to justify a placebo being used in a trial, I have no idea why they just don't say "because placebos work too"... They always have to think too hard and provide scientific rationale and stuff.

    Oh duck, the FDA is here?!?!
    *scrambles to get notebooks in order*
    Ha, don't worry, I'm not FDA. Just work for an IRB at a local institution.
This discussion has been closed.