3 Harms of Quackery caused by Outbreaks Revealed! Part 3 from Fitness Elements Express!

Secret Truths of Nutrition Economic Quackery 107

3 Harms of Quackery caused by Outbreaks Revealed! Part 3

This will be a four part series on Harm done by Quackery that will include: indirect harm by omission, psychological harm, economic harm, social harm, and direct harm by commission. This four part series will discuss how the harm caused by quackery fits into these categories.

Indirect Harm

Quackery can seriously harm or kill people by persuading them to abandon, delay, or fail to seek effective medical treatment for grave medical conditions (Barrett and Jarvis, ADA 2008). This is considered indirect harm by omission (Calif. Medical Association). While the number of people lured away from effective treatment into disability or death cannot be ascertained, it is apparently not large enough or obvious enough to provoke a public outcry (Barrett and Jarvis).

Direct Harm

Direct harm is considered harm by commission such as poisoning, maiming, malnutrition, or injury (Barrett and Jarvis). This category includes dangers posed by herbs, herb and drug interactions, contaminated and adulterated supplements, excess vitamins and minerals, and the macrobiotic diet. The L- trytophan tragedy will be discussed first since it is good example of the harm that can occur when dietary supplements are sold without proof of safety, efficacy, potency, or purity (Foster and Tyler).


Economic Harm

Here is an example of what direct harm can do and why it is up to you to be preventative and use true wisdom before it is life threatening to you or anyone you know and care for. Most victims of Quackery are harmed economically rather than physically (Barrett and Jarvis). The true cost of quackery is difficult to calculate, but is likely in the tens of billions of dollars, especially when considering the cost of purchasing products (such as some supplements) that may do no harm but also provide no benefit (ADA,2008 Updated).

Quackery that involves small sums of money and no bodily injury is often considered harmless. For example, a person who buys a protein supplement from multilevel marketer is going to go broke. This is your choice on the matter I personally use my own products but I am clear and upfront with all my customers and clients. Retail shopping is always an o.k. way to shop too, but honesty is always what you want in dealing with any Health Care professional. Use your Gut on this matter!! However, this practice may indicate confusion on the part of the person and vulnerability to more serious (and expensive) forms of quackery (Barrett and Jarvis).

Americans spent $5.8 billion or more each year on multilevel health products (Nutrition Business Journal, 2008). Those that have nutritional value (such as vitamins and low-fat foods) are, without fail, overpriced. Do me a favor look at quality and how long a product will last you that is fairly priced for the proven quality suggested by a Licensed Health Care professional not someone off the streets that knows nothing about supplements. The products promoted as remedies are phony, unproven, or intended for conditions that are unsuitable for self-medication. Also, people who distribute multilevel products are generally not qualified to give health advice(NCAHF 2008; Barrett and Herbert). Just use good judgment on this topic my health and fitness friends and make sure you are taking advice from a Health and Nutrition expert that will not harm you or make you a product of Nutrition Quackery.

This article was not written to scare you or make you afraid of everything out on the market, because I see no point in being scared of everything that is no fun and not my position at all. I do want you educated, and informed on what you put into your body. You also must get as credible as possible sources of information to what you truly need. These are scary times we are living in and all kinds of things are coming out of the wood works so please be advised.

To conclude: As you know Government actions against multilevel organizations have not been energetic by any stretch at all, so you must be you own good consumer and do your homework. Remember these companies are left alone unless their advertising is so flagrant and their sales volume so great that regulatory agency is obliged to intercede. Best advice be your own advocate, get the facts, and the real truth.

Have a healthy and happy day!!

To yours in Health, Fitness, and serious Nutrition talk,

Natalie Pyles

References: Nutrition Dimension, Ellen Coleman, (Barrett and Herbert), (Foster and Tyler).

NSA Speaker, Author, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist, Health, Fitness, and Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator