The Himalayan Super Berry-Goji Berry: Research Paper and Prospectus
What if you heard that simply consuming a handful of a tart little red berries could make you live a longer, lose weight and feel better? Like millions of other consumers you would probably jump at the idea. With these claims, its no wonder the new health craze in the Himalayan Superfruit, the Goji berry, has become prevalent in supermarkets across the globe. The health claims of the Goji berry are endless; from its anti-inflammatory properties to its dietary benefits and anti-cancerous properties, the health prospects are immense (Xanthe 2013). However, do these nutritional benefits hold any true merit? With this in mind, this research paper will discuss how the Goji berry
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I would like to compare the advertised dietary and health claims against the scientific literature and experimentation that supports the truth behind these alleged health benefits. For instance, many enterprises claim that the Goji berry is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin C and dietary fiber. The Goji berry is additionally asserted to be high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and a number of vitamins and minerals. It is declared to have strength building qualities and is associated with an increase in lifespan. (Amagase 2011). Packaging claims consider the Goji berry a Superfruit for its incredible nutritional value and for having one of the highest rankings on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), which measures its antioxidant activity (Amagase 2011). My goal is to learn which of these claims are actually scientifically supported as well as to discover how this benefits our health. The scientific literature I have found specifically examines how the incorporation of Goji berries in our diets has antipyretic, anti-inflammation and anti-senile properties. I would also like to look at different ways in …show more content…
“The Lycium barbarum fruit is most often incorporated into complex herb formulae in traditional medicines in which its dose is in the range of 6-18g as dried material. However, the recommended dosage varies based on what the Goji berry is used to treat. Folk medicine for diabetes recommends 10g of Lycium fruits 2 to 3 times a day. As food therapy to strengthen the elderly or debilitated it is cooked with lean pork, bamboo shots or Chinese flavoring and the daily dose is 15-30g. As a dietary supplement for eye health a dose of 15g per day supplies the adequate amount of zeaxanthin. Chinese clinical cancer studies indicate that the dose in complex formulas of 6-18g shifts to a dose of 15-30g when it is the main herb, thus a recommended volume of 30 ml four times a day is recommended (150 g of fresh berries)” (Amagase 2011). These doses are of course all estimates. Fortunately, the L. barbarum berry is non-toxic and there have been little to no reported side effect to overconsumption of the fruit. However, there has been one case study in which a 58-year-old female’s diet included 1-2 liters a day of Goji berry juice daily. The excessive iron content in the Goji juice increased her ferritin levels and led to higher liver function tests, resulting in lower energy levels and disruption in the digestive system. Fortunately, these consequences were reversed through diet regulation and reduction in the intake of
The pseudoscientific claim that will be discussed is a claim made by Applied Nutritional Research, a company based out of Colorado, which claims that it is a distributor of nutritional health products.
In 1954, Japan debuted the world’s first radioactive “king of all monsters”, Gojira. Gojira director, Ishiro Honda, sets the first scene with a destructive power emerging from the sea that would ignite a burning panic throughout Japan and force catastrophe in its wake—much like the atomic bomb it was birthed from. Gojira had a single purpose, to rampage across Japan and decimate everything in its path. As much as they tried to stop the monster, Japan’s defenses fell victim to Gojira’s indestructibility. As Japan’s last resort, they found hope in Dr. Serizawa’s emergence of new science and technology to dismantle Gojira. In the end, the bittersweet success of defeating Gojira with Dr. Serizawa’s Oxygen Destroyer was not dared to be forgotten or thought of lightly. Because if placed in the wrong hands, nuclear weapons testing may continue and another monster might appear again.
Vastag, Brian. "FDA Reviews Expanded Claims On Health Benefits Of Certain Foods." JNCI: Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 96.16 (2004): 1198-1199.
With all the unregulated dietary supplements being sold and recommended, our health insurance costs will continue to rise. If the product causes severe side effects, it should no longer be permitted to be sold in stores. The only way to touch the minds of many people is to inform them of the dangers of consuming dietary supplements. Disposing of all incorrect information in product labeling and ingredient lists is important. People need to recognize the faults that plague many advertisements. In addition businesses should promote safe products instead of the harmful ones that they advocate for. The United States Congress should consider regulating dietary supplements to maintain safety. If people are aware of the many lies companies present, then dietary supplements will be one less problem to worry about.
When I found out I qualified to be a candidate for the NJHS, I knew I had to take this chance. This group is made up of people who depict leadership, character, citizenship, academic success, and service and I would love to join. These characteristics wouldn't just be valuable for a candidate to have, but for everyone to have to exceed in life. If I were to be in the National Junior Honor Society, it would give me an opportunity to ameliorate my future and motivate me to do better.
Abraham and Mira warnes in 1988 that health educators and health professionals should weigh up carefully the benefits of weight loss against the risks of inducing psychological disturbances such as eating disorders and adverse physiological side effects such as dieting and severe weight loss…(37)(ajn).
Calioglu, Arpi. “Eating Healthy.” Total Health 17 (1995): 42. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Roesch Library, Dayton. 18 Oct. 2002 <http://library.udayton.edu>.
Obtaining a secure supply of food is one of the most important parts of life. Acquiring food and its preparation is changing with the times, but the age-old art of preparing a healthy diet from natural ingredients is being put to use even today. After harvesting wild vegetables, those which are not eaten right away are dried and stored. It is important to provide an ample supply of food, because the summers are short and the winters are long in Hokkaido. The Ainu have made it a rule not to pick more than necessary, and of what was collected all o...
Some examples of claims are "low-fat", "lite", "light", "reduced", "%fat free" and "No added". The food industry is very keen to make health claims on food labels, and the ANZFA has considered lifting the ban that stops them from doing so. Many disagreeable claims are made regarding the ability of nutrients to prevent certain diseases. Food manufacturers are now only allowed to make the following well-established claims concerning relationships between diet and disease: Calcium and a reduced risk of osteoporosis. Fat and increased risk of cancer.
We, as consumers, are always trying to find new products to buy in which to improve ourselves. In modern-day American culture, improving oneself has become synonymous with feeling younger and healthier. Gingko biloba extract is one of the popular herbal supplements being marketed to mainstream consumers as a "smart" and "anti-aging" drug (http://www.stevemorow.com/food.htm) which will work to help to increase their overall brain functioning in the normal population, as well as, those who suffer from mental impairment due to aging. Gingko biloba extract has also been labeled an anti-aging drug due to its antioxidant properties, its supposed free radical scavenger properties, as well as its reported increases in people’s overall mental functioning. You see advertisements for it on television, as well as, the Internet making a large number of different kinds of claims of Gingko biloba’s benefits. The claimed benefits range from increasing overall brain functioning in normal people to people with mental impairment, to being a mood enhancer (http://www.televar.com/alpha/biloba.html), to helping with such slight conditions as cough and asthma, to helping increase circulation in patients suffering from painful vascular diseases to actually having "slimming" applications (http://www.mmpinc.com/WHATS.HTM). If all these claims are true, then Gingko biloba extract sounds like a "mulit-cure"drug for the entire population. This paper will attempt to reduce the confusion associated with the large number of claimed benefits of taking Gingko biloba by explaining what the research literature has to back up these claims. I had a hard time myself keeping track of all the reported claims. At this time, Gingko bil...
Vitamins, a group of organic substances required in our diets in small amounts for growth and nutrition, are usually found in foodstuffs or taken as supplements. Yet vitamins probably present a wider gap between myth and reality in the layman's understanding than almost any other area of our diet. Surveys have found that while a majority of Americans do take vitamin supplements on a regular or occasional basis for reason of health concerns, there exists enormous confusion about the actual purpose and benefits of this practice ("Use of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the United States," 1990:161). Most people have a recognition that Vitamin C prevents scurvy, that Vitamin A is found in fish-liver oils, or that Vitamin D is found in dairy products; many people believe that Vitamin E preserves youth and prevents sterility, or that Vitamin C can present colds and cancer. Beyond this, however, there is still considerable ignorance and widespread myth.
Back in 2014, TINA.org approached consumers to participate in Coca-Cola’s preparatory settlement over deceptive labelling and advertising of its Glacéau Vitaminwater beverages. Glacéau vitaminwater beverages make unjustified health claims, such as it could promote healthy joints, lessen the risk of eye disease as well as to support immune functions. (http://www.businessinsider.sg/coca-cola-glacau-vitaminwater-misleading-advertising-lawsuit-2014-10/?r=US&IR=T#.VoZjCjZn9g1)
For a moment, imagine you are a very health conscious person. You start the mornings off with a brewed cup of coffee, a newspaper, and your favorite cereal. As you eat, you are comforted in seeing the bold print on the packaging that reads, “Loaded with vitamins and minerals.” However, you become curious and decide to investigate the back panel of ingredients to see if it is as wholesome as it leads you to believe. The number one ingredient is enriched wheat flour. You are content as you swallow the next to last spoonful of your shredded richness. The second ingredient is honey, another that reinforces your feelings of responsible eating. Ingredients three, four, and five are foreign to you. They read soy lecithin, niacin, and high fructose corn syrup. Now the first two you have a good feeling about. Soy is a good source of protein in place of many meats and niacin must be one of those vitamins or minerals the food tycoon General Mills boasted about on the box. However, the latter of the three is what prompts you to do some research on your computer. The results yield studies and illustrations which surprise you. “From crackers to raisins, cans of soda to cans of soup, high fructose corn syrup is in virtually every list of ingredients. Even for consumers that are vigilant about steering clear of it, it’s hard not to avoid” (Mangano). As you finish your last bite of cereal it does not seem as satisfying as the first. Uncertainty is the lingering taste and you wonder what high fructose corn syrup really is, why it is in all of the foods you eat, and if it could affect your health negatively.
Suzuki, Y., Miyoshi, N., & Isemura, M. (2012). Health-promoting effects of green tea. Proceedings of the Japan Academy, 88(3), 88-101.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “despite the emphasis by nutritionists and other health professionals on the importance of fruit in a well-rounded healthy diet,” a survey taken during 1994-1996 revealed that “only 57.8 percent of people age 19 and younger ate fruits on a given day” (Fisher, 2004, p. 16).