FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

FDA Lists Drugs Under Investigation

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Ever been prescribed a drug by your doctor and wondered how safe or unsafe it is?

The FDA has recently begun posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for safety problems on its site. Currently there are only about 20 meds on the list, but the FDA will continue to update it each quarter. If a medication you're currently taking is classified as under investigation, don't freak out. Continue taking your medicine as prescribed and make an appointment to talk to your doctor as the potential risks may not outweigh the benefits of taking the medicine.

For all other prescription drugs check out my new Health Guide where you'll find thousands of overviews of common medications. It's very helpful, especially if you've thrown away the little foldout pamphlet that comes with all prescriptions.

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FDA Gives the OK on Eating Tomatoes

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If you've been avoiding certain tomatoes since this horrific salmonella outbreak, go ahead and bite into any tomato you want. Since no strain of salmonella Saintpaul was found on any farms that were tested, the FDA believes that consumers can now enjoy all types of fresh tomatoes.

The mystery still stands though as to what caused this outbreak in the first place, which has now sickened 1,220 people in 42 states — the earliest case on April 10 and the latest so far on July 4. Hot peppers are still on the list of things to watch out for, so people with weakened immune systems and the elderly should avoid fresh jalapeños and serranos.

I'm wondering, have you been avoiding tomatoes recently? If so, will the FDA's announcement settle your mind and let you enjoy tomatoes again, or are you still a little leery?

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You Asked: Is Homeopathic Medicine Regulated by the FDA?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering.

Dear Fit,
I recently went to see a naturopath about my eczema and she gave me some homeopathic medicine. I'm a little nervous about taking these weird little pills. Are they regulated by the FDA?
—Skeptical Stacey

This is a great question since many people are trying alternative and complementary forms of medicine when the Western medicine route doesn't work. To see my answer, just

Antibiotics Causing Tendon Troubles?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I thought antibiotics were beneficial in fighting infection, but it looks like some antibiotics may be causing some harm as well. The FDA is forcing companies to put a black box warning on certain antibiotics because they've been found to lead to tendinitis and ruptured tendons. Yikes! Flouroquinolone drugs, the potent class of antibiotics which include Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Proquin, Noroxin, Floxin, and other medications are the drugs in question.

The FDA says that if you are currently taking any of these antibiotics and are suffering from tendon pain or inflammation, you should stop usage and contact your doctor. You want to be able to fight infections, but keep your tendons intact, too.

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Artificial Food Dyes Linked to Hyperactivity?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Fruity Loops, Fruity Pebbles, and other technicolor cereals could be bad for kids, and not just because of the sugar high. Turns out, the food dyes used to create such candylicious treats could be contributing to childhood hyperactivity and other behavior issues.

Last week, the Center for Science in the Public Interest began urging the Food and Drug Administration to outlaw eight artificial food dyes, citing three decades' worth of studies that suggest the artificial dyes could exacerbate kids' behavioral problems. The FDA, meanwhile, disputes the claim. Here's more:

Over the years, the FDA has consistently disputed the center's assertion. . . Julie Zawisza, an FDA spokeswoman, said Tuesday that color additives undergo safety reviews prior to approval for marketing and that samples of each artificial coloring are tested. She said the agency reviewed one of the studies that the center cites in calling for a ban.

"(We) didn't find a reason to change our conclusions that the ingredients are safe for the general population," Zawisza said.

For more details on the debate and to see what I think,

Is Stevia Safe?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:30:00 -0700

If you're trying to eat healthier, you may be trying to ditch foods made with white sugar and artificial sweeteners. What about the sweetener stevia? Have you ever heard of it? People are adding it to their coffee, flavoring their iced tea, and baking with it. Stevia is an herb from South America, and since the leaves from this plant have a sweet flavor that is 30 times sweeter than sugar, it's being used as an all natural sugar substitute. People watching their weight like the idea of stevia because it's calorie free. Is it safe though? To find out

Label Able: Treated by Irradiation

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:30:00 -0800

When you're buying chicken at the store, and the package says "treated with radiation," those little words may make you think twice. I know it sounds like something really bad for you, to eat meat that's gone through radiation, but it's actually a process approved by the FDA. If foods have been irradiated, the FDA requires that they are labeled with a statement such as "treated with radiation” or “treated by irradiation.” They must also show this international symbol for irradiation called the radura.

Don't worry — eating food that's been treated with radiation won't make your eyes glow, or affect the nutrients in the food. What it will do is decrease your chance of eating food contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

Radiation is basically invisible waves that move through the air. Light, infrared heat, and microwaves are all forms of radiant energy. So are radio and TV waves, and toasting and broiling. Irradiation uses shorter wavelengths than radiation, and they're capable of damaging microorganisms, like the ones that can contaminate your food. It won't get rid of all the heeby jeebies that can make you sick, but it can definitely decrease your chances of food poisoning.

Downloadable Nutritional Charts

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

The government (and your mother) wants you to eat more veggies. In an effort to encourage retail stores that sell raw fruits, vegetables, and fish to participate in the voluntary point-of-purchase nutrition information program, the FDA has created downloadable posters for printing. It's hoping that you will see what is good for you and buy lots of fruits, veggies, and fish.

These posters show nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables, and fish in the United States. I think it's interesting to see what the most consumed foods are, but you can also download these charts for your own personal use. They're pretty handy and good to check out so download them by clicking the links below:

FDA to Food Makers: "Time to Cut the Salt"

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

The Institute of Medicine says just 1,500 mg of sodium a day, a little less for older adults, is enough to regulate the body's fluid balance. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of salt is 2,300 mg, yet the average American consumes between 3,300 and 4,000 mg of sodium a day. So some say it's time for the government to get involved with what we're consuming.

Public health specialists are pressuring the Food and Drug Administration to require food makers to cut the sodium, calling such government intervention, "Crucial for fighting heart disease." What's more? The American Medical Association says cutting half the sodium in processed and restaurant foods within 10 years could wind up saving 150,000 lives annually.

This whole ordeal sort of reminds me of the whole trans fat drama and whether or not it was OK for the government to tell food makers to cut the trans fat — and so the saga continues, just with another heart stopping vice.

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Drugs Manufactured in Filth

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

I hope you haven't been using any drugs or supplements made by General Therapeutics. U.S. marshals in St. Louis took more than $300,000 worth of drugs, vitamin supplements, and pet treatments from the company.

Why? The FDA found that some of their products lacked FDA approval and were manufactured under grossly unsanitary conditions. Inspectors found one of their products infested with live and dead beetles, as well as dead cockroaches and rodent droppings near the manufacturing equipment. Um, gross.

That's not all. Roof leaks resulting in water damage and contamination of food and drug containers were also discovered. Officials also found deteriorating chemicals that were potentially explosive. Sounds lovely.

General Therapeutics Corp. makes products such as Vitrin, a multivitamin; NC Solution, an antifungal product; and Pyran-50, a pet de-wormer. So check your bottles and ditch any products you have made by this company.

Fit's Tip: Always buy supplements with the USP Verified label. The USP label means an independent lab has verified the contents of the supplements have been made under good manufacturing practices.
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Skate Like The Dog Whisperer: LandRoller Skates

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:30:00 -0700

As a dog owner I must admit, I really enjoy watching "Cesar Milan - The Dog Whisperer." I'm not saying that I agree with everything he does, but I do LOVE that he encourages dog owners to exercise with their pets. He's not talking about casual walks in the park either. He's into heart pumping, muscle moving, panting and sweating. I'm into that too.

On his show, he often "walks the dogs" wearing unique looking rollerblades - LandRollers. They have amazing angled wheel technology. Want to hear more about them? Then

Count Your Stars: Four Star Sunscreen

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:30:00 -0700

The FDA hopes drugstores will soon be serving up 4 star sunscreen.

In a move to help consumers select a wide spectrum sunscreen, the FDA has proposed a star ranking system to indicate how effective a sun protection product is at blocking UVA rays. The SPF ratings are only for UVB rays, the sun rays that tend to burn your skin, but UVA rays, considered the tanning rays, are just as dangerous to your skin.

If the FDA proposal becomes final, sunscreen products would list both the SPF alongside a new four-star rating system, with one star representing the lowest protection and four stars the highest. Additionally, if the sunscreen leaves you completely defenseless against the sun's UVA rays, the label will explicitly state "no UVA protection" on the front label of the product.

We could start seeing the four star system as early as next spring.

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FDA Safety Labs To Stay Open

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

After the recent rash of food recalls, I found this headline slighting re-assuring: FDA delays plans to close food safety labs.

It seems the Food and Drug Administration’s commissioner has suspended plans to close more than half the agency’s field laboratories as the FDA awaits recommendations from a presidential panel about how to better guarantee the safety of imported food and other products. On July 18, President Bush established the Import Safety Working Group asking for recommendations in 60 days.

The FDA is considering plans to consolidate its lab network to modernize its food safety efforts. Hopefully these recommendations will improve the FDA's ability to test imported and domestic food because I am getting sick of writing about all these recalls!

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Anatomy of a Tattoo

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I am ever curious about how the human body works, and recently I pondered the permanence of tattoos. Skin is always shedding layers of dead cells (especially if you exfoliate), so how can a tattoo remain year after year?

Let's start at the beginning with how a tattoo is created. Tattoos are made by inserting pigment into the skin with an electrically powered solid needle that punctures the skin between 50 and 3,000 times per minute (makes me think of a sewing machine - yikes!!). The needle penetrates the skin by about a millimeter and deposits a drop of insoluble ink into the skin with each puncture.

When you look at a person's tattoo, you're seeing the ink through the epidermis - the outer layer of skin. The ink resides in the dermis - the second layer of skin, just below the epidermis. Dermis cells are far more stable than the cells of the epidermis, so the tattoo's ink will stay in place, with only minor fading and dispersion (spreading out), for a person's entire life!

Fit's Tips: FYI - tattoo parlors are NOT regulated by the FDA and not ALL states require tattoo parlors to be licensed. If I were you, I'd go to a place that is licensed and inspected by the state. The licensed places will definitely follow all the correct sterilization and sanitation procedures. Since tattoos involve needles and blood, you want to make sure there is little risk for the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and STIs. These regulations may make tattoos safer, but it sure won't make those needles hurt any less!

Want to see some interesting tattoos? Then

E.Coli Testing Kit: A Germ-A-Phobe's Best Friend

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Food recalls seem to be at an all time high this year. From peanut butter to Listerine to pet food, nothing seems to be safe anymore. So while we wait for the FDA to get a handle on the situation, you may want to take matters into your own hands...

The MMS Safe Strips Food Testing Kit ($19.95) contains: Two E.coli test strips, two Salmonella test strips, a bottle of buffer solution and instructions on how to do it. Basically users will be mixing food with distilled water and buffer solution, preferably in a blender. The salmonella test strip produces results in thirty minutes, while the E.coli test takes an hour, so make sure you give it some time before digging in. Buy it from FoodTestingStrips.com.

Fit's Tip: While I think that testing everything you eat may be a bit excessive, even for me, you may want to consider taking a kit along while traveling or think about keeping it around the house in case another spinach recall hits the fan.

The Skinny On: Natural Trans Fats

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Fat. It keeps us full. It flavors our food. It gives us energy. It also clogs our arteries and raises our cholesterol levels. While some fats are better than others, others are just plain bad for you - like trans fats.

Trans fats are generally formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process called hydrogenation. Hydrogen is added to oils to make them more solid and food processors love to use them to extend the shelf life of food, as well as to better taste and texture. Not all trans fats are manufactured though, some do occur naturally, in small amounts. They can be found in some meat, a quarter pound of ground beef has 1.33 grams of trans fat, and one cup of milk has .24 grams.

Fear not New Yorkers, the city is only banning artificial trans fats, so you will still be able to eat cheeseburgers in the Big Apple. The truth is, the majority of Americans eat more artificial trans fat than the naturally occurring kind,

The FDA, however, has a different take, and they group all trans fats, be they artificially or naturally occurring, all the same. In 2006, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to list on their products if they contain a half a gram or more of trans fat per serving. The amount must be included on the food label and the food can’t be called trans fat-free, even if butter (naturally occurring) is the only fat. Another reason to read ingredients carefully.

Want to know about trans fat and Starbucks? Then

Yet Another Recall: Olives

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

As if we haven't had enough of recall madness, yet another item has been recalled.

The FDA has put out a release announcing the recall of olives made by Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, of Bari, Italy. The reason for the recall? Apparently the olives may be contaminated with the deadly bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum, which can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness. What's more? Charlie Brown and Co. initiated a recall of these olives on March 27, 2007 but to date, the company has not contacted importers with specific instructions on the recall so the FDA had to step in.

The olives are sold under the following brands: Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado's, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia, and have codes that start with the letter "G" and are followed by 3 or 4 digits. All sizes of cans, glass jars and pouches of Cerignola, Nocerella and Castelvetrano type olives are affected.

Symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. If you have further questions you can contact the Charlie Brown Company at 011-039-080-7839073 or by email (charliebrownbari@yahoo.com).

Grazie!

Is it Bad to Freeze Disposable Water Bottles?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 03:00:17 -0800

There has been much buzz about the chemicals in plastic water bottles. I've heard that freezing a disposable water bottle can be bad for you.

If you're worried about chemicals like dioxins seeping out of the plastic and corrupting your water, have NO fear. This is just an urban legend, a bad rumor, and not at all true.

Actually, freezing your water bottle will work against the releasing of chemicals, which do not diffuse very well in cold temperatures, like in your freezer.

Another fact to set your mind at ease: Most plastic water bottles, and microwave containers do NOT contain the chemicals that form dioxins. Also, in order to form dioxins, those chemicals need to be at extremely high temperatures (above 700 degrees).

Still not convinced? The FDA said "With regard to dioxins, we have seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins and know of no reason why they would.”

So freeze and microwave your little heart out. The only thing I'd worry about is using that disposable water bottle over and over again - there's no way to clean it or get rid of bacteria.

Should Cloned Animal Products Be Labelled?

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:30:00 -0800

The Associated Press reports that when the government approves consumption of food from cloned animals, and approval is expected within the next 12 months, The Food and Drug Administration isn't planning to require any special labeling. The theory is that if the food's safe to eat, its source doesn't need to be identified. The only way that consumers will be able to make sure that they don't buy cloned products is by looking for the organic green seal as organic animal products will not come from cloned animals.Personally I want to know if the animal products I am buying come from cloned animals. What do you think?

Should Cloned Animal Products Be Labelled?

I would rather see a special label as I am not sure about this cloning thing just yet.

I don't need a special label -- Meat is meat, cloned or not.

I could care less.

Other. Tell us below.

First Over the Counter Diet Pill Approved by FDA

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

I have a pretty bad opinion of weight loss pills, I am not convinced there is a magic bullet. Nor am I convinced that diet pills are the answer to losing weight.

The FDA doesn't agree with me and has recently said the fat-blocking weight-loss pill Orlistat (aka Xenical), which has been available by prescription, can be sold in a reduced-strength version over the counter. The new version will be sold as alli (pronounced AL-eye by GlaxoSmithKline) and is the first nonprescription diet pill to be approved by the FDA. Alli is intended for people 18 and older to use along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise.

Alli will contain half the dose of Xenical prescription capsules and is expected to run $1-$2 a day. The company estimated 5 million to 6 million Americans a year would buy the drug over the counter. The important safety information directly from Myalli.com are as follows:

When using this product:

Take a multivitamin once a day, at bedtime. alli can reduce the absorption of some vitamins.

Follow a well-balanced, reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. Try starting this diet before taking alli capsules.

Alli capsules work by preventing the absorption of some of the fat you eat. The fat passes out of your body so you may have bowel changes.

You may get:
-gas with oily spotting
-loose stools
-more frequent stools that may be hard to control.

In studies, most people lost 5-10 pounds over 6 months.

To these points I say: Scary. Duh. Weird. Gross. That's it?!?!

The FDA also said that people who have had organ transplants should not take OTC Orlistat because of possible drug interactions. In addition, anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using Orlistat.

I am seriously outraged that the FDA will approve something that causes anal leakage yet Stevia, the non-caloric herb has yet to gain the FDA's approval.

This is a backwards world we're living in.

"Lean" on Labels: What It Now Means

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:25:00 -0800

The use of the term "Lean" on Food Labeling has a new, expanded meaning as announced recently by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Under the new rule, labels on meals-on-the-go (such as burritos, pizza rolls, egg rolls, and sandwiches) can carry the word lean if the items have less than 8 grams total fat, 3.5 grams or less saturated fat and less than 80 milligrams of cholesterol per amount customarily consumed (140 grams).

Before this rule change, the nutrient content claim of lean was limited to seafood and game meat products, as well as to meal and main dish products.

Why the change? In the recent news release:

The FDA acknowledges that meals-on-the-go have made their way into consumers' diets as a convenient meal option. With controlled nutrient and portion size, these foods serve a useful purpose in assisting consumers in selecting a diet that is consistent with recommended U.S. Dietary Guidelines...

Everything in Moderation, Even Tylenol

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:12:36 -0800

Here is a caution if you have a cold and are taking medication to control the symptoms: It is really easy to overdose on acetaminophen.

Time and CNN recently reported that:

The Food and Drug Administration wants you to think twice about all that self-medicating you're doing with over-the-counter remedies. Every year, the agency says, about half of the deaths associated with taking painkillers containing acetaminophen are due to unintended overdoses.

It seems the acetaminophen is the primary ingredient in Tylenol as well as many over-the-counter cold and flu remedies. Folks are often not aware of that and are taking too many of both medications at once. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, since it is the liver that breaks down and metabolizes the drug. About 200 of the 20 million Americans taking acetaminophen die of accidental over dose each year.

The FDA is proposing a warning label on all medications containing acetaminophen and you should know that the average adult should not exceed 4g of acetaminophen a day . Until the label becomes law be sure to read the ingredients of all your over the counter drugs and follow the recommended dosage. It is also a good idea to drink plenty of liquids when you're sick and this will help your liver too.

I'm Thinking... Cut the Trans Fat

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:00:00 -0800

As of May 1, 2007, Arby's restaurants will no longer be thinking trans fat as they will no longer serve french fries with trans fats and 75 percent of its menu items will contain less than half a gram of trans fats. Arby's is following the healthy restaurant trend to stop serving trans fats with the likes of Taco Bell and KFC in an effort to help combat the rise in obesity. Several cities are already on their way to trying to ban trans fats.

To Arby's I say, why not cut all of the trans fats? But hey, at least it's a start.

The Skinny On: Stevia

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:30:00 -0800

Stevia is perhaps one of the most controversial herbs since, well herb.

Stevia is reportedly to be 250-300 times sweeter than sugar and contributes no calories to the diet. How great is that?

Problem is that the FDA has not yet approved Stevia to be used as a sweetener (or food additive) or to be GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and so no-one is technically allowed to use Stevia unless it is specifically labeled and used as a dietary supplement. In fact the FDA has had an alert out since 1996 stating that if it is found to be labeled as a sweetener, search and seizure are to follow. In Japan and other countries, Stevia has been known as "nature's natural sweetener" and used by millions of people for those purposes for over 25 years.

Whoa, right?! Where does that leave us then when it comes to Stevia? Many people believe that the government is trying to protect the booming sweetener economy in the USA and that by allowing a cheap, noncaloric herb in, the competition will be crushed.

All politics aside, while we wait for the FDA to figure this wonderful little herb out, you can still use it and buy it as a 'dietary supplement.' It comes in the same forms as sugar would (powders and liquids).

Fit's Tip: I usually buy it in a liquid form and use it as I would honey in my coffee or tea to... um 'dietary supplement' it. 2-3 drops is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of sugar.

I'm Lovin It!

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 10:00:00 -0800

We all know that health officials have banned smoking in several cities throughout the United States with more on the way because of the harmful effects of smoking on everyone. But did we ever think that they would be able to ban fat? To find out if they have,

FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

FDA Lists Drugs Under Investigation

FDA Gives the OK on Eating Tomatoes

You Asked: Is Homeopathic Medicine Regulated by the FDA?

Antibiotics Causing Tendon Troubles?

Artificial Food Dyes Linked to Hyperactivity?

Is Stevia Safe?

Label Able: Treated by Irradiation

Downloadable Nutritional Charts

FDA to Food Makers: "Time to Cut the Salt"

Drugs Manufactured in Filth

Skate Like The Dog Whisperer: LandRoller Skates

Count Your Stars: Four Star Sunscreen

FDA Safety Labs To Stay Open

Anatomy of a Tattoo

E.Coli Testing Kit: A Germ-A-Phobe's Best Friend

The Skinny On: Natural Trans Fats

Yet Another Recall: Olives

More Pet Food Problems

Is it Bad to Freeze Disposable Water Bottles?

Should Cloned Animal Products Be Labelled?

First Over the Counter Diet Pill Approved by FDA

"Lean" on Labels: What It Now Means

Everything in Moderation, Even Tylenol

I'm Thinking... Cut the Trans Fat

The Skinny On: Stevia

I'm Lovin It!