Juice. It has been a staple of American breakfast tables for decades. Over the years it's been introduced to kids' packed lunches, vending machines and even toddlers' bottles. Not to mention the "adult" juice beverages, some of which are packed with things like antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients.
Marketing tactics would have you believe that juice is a healthy beverage option – far better than sugary sodas or energy drinks. Phrases like "All Natural" and "No Sugar Added" bolster that mentality.
You've heard of Naked Juice, right? Those very colorful and robust-looking juices and smoothies which promise a myriad of health benefits? Perhaps you've even had one of these Naked Juices. Being "all natural," they are very popular with the health-conscious consumer. They have even been touted as being free of GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, which is an increasing concern for many Americans. And a valid concern at that. These organisms, which can range from seeds to fish, are engineered for faster growth and more resilience to damaging forces and have been shown to cause everything from digestive distress to rapid tumor growth.
Here's the thing; you've been duped. In fact, PepsiCo., which is the parent company to Naked Juice, recently settled a class action lawsuit and agreed to pay $9 million dollars to get themselves out of steaming hot water after it was discovered the juices were neither all natural nor GMO-free.
The $9 million is to go to a pool of consumers who believe they were misled by the company's claims. But if you're one of those consumers, don't quit your day job just yet. Each member of the class-action pool is only allotted a maximum of $45.
Forty-five dollars. That sure makes ingesting potentially dangerous preservatives and GMOs all worth it, don't you think?
Naked Juice isn't the only offender. Let's take the Welch's brand of juices, for example. This company brands itself as "Family Farmer Owned," and promotes its products as "Fruity and Refreshing." With flavors such as Strawberry Peach, Dragon Fruit Mango Cocktail and Orange Pineapple Apple, you'd think you're getting all the nutrition you need in a glass of fruity delightfulness.
The company was actually started by a family farmer; that much is true. And today the company continues to be owned by a cooperative of 1,150 grape farmers. But that's where the truth ends.
In fact, a single 8-oz serving of these supposedly better-for-you-than-soda juices actually has more sugar than eight ounces of soda. Not only that, but these juices actually contain more corn syrup – the high fructose kind – than fruit juice; up to 80 percent of the "juice" is comprised of corn syrup and water, while only 20 percent is actual fruit juice.
Did I mention the possibility of GMOs? Well, maybe likelihood is a better term. With all that HFCS, there's sure to be some GMO corn in the mix. But you'll never know that, because GMO labeling is not required in any state in the U.S. – even though 61 other countries around the world have GMO labeling regulations.
You may remember California tried to pass that initiative in November 2012, but was unsuccessful... mostly in part to the massive amount of money the opposing groups spent to keep GMOs off food labels. How much money, you ask?
Total amount spent by Monsanto alone in opposition: $8.1 million (nearly as much as the total efforts of the other side).
Remember Pepsi Co.? Owner of Naked Juice? They were just one member of the rest of the opposing group, each of which spent between $2 and $5 million to strike down the initiative.
When did the wants of the people succumb to the almighty (and seemingly unlimited) dollar of big corporations?
And I'm not just talking about the big guys, like Monsanto and Dow. Companies who manufacture foods you probably eat every single day do everything they can to hide the fact that their products contain GMOs... and why wouldn't they? Profits are at risk. The American people are becoming smarter and more health-conscious, and these food companies know it. If "GMO" is slapped right there on the label, for all the world to see, their top executives' bonus checks might take a hit – and when you're part of the top one percent, you'll do anything to prevent that from happening.
Even companies that you might think are taking the path of health and wellness would shudder if you knew their products contained GMOs. Healthy Choice, Smart Ones, Nature Valley, Power Bar, V-8, Kashi... they are all GMO offenders.
Here's the bottom line: they're not going to tell you, unless they're forced to tell you (and if that day ever comes, they'll be sure to find a way around it). You have to make the smartest choices for you and your family, and in order to do that, you need to be informed. Do your own research, your own investigating, and you'll soon figure out that you have to be your own health advocate.
It won't be easy, especially with corporations fighting tooth and nail to keep you in the dark. But it can be done.
Buczynski, Beth. "GMOs Force Naked Juice To Drop 'All Natural' Label." Care2.com. Care 2 Make a Difference, 22 July 2013. Web. 26 July 2013.
Women of all ages, regardless of height, weight, or parental status, are susceptible to stretch marks. This is a simple fact.
Another fact, which will hopefully make you feel a bit better, is that supermodels (yes, the bikini models you see in Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret advertisements) also have stretch marks.
Dr. Kirk Brandow, founder and director of the Brandow Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery who has appeared on national programs such as Good Morning America and 20/20, offers insights on cosmetic surgery and shares the real deal on stretch mark solutions with several facts on popular procedures and topical options to prevent and remove stretch marks.
Gelatin powder has been suggested as a great way to get more collagen into your system. Coconut oil mixed with beeswax is said to prevent stretch marks especially when applied throughout the day. Eating foods rich in vitamin C can help prevent stretch marks from the inside out. Adding things like red peppers, parsley, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts are good bets.
Many women who have post-pregnancy stretch marks turn to lasers to eliminate this unwanted scarring. Kim Kardashian recently announced via her Snapchat that she would undergo laser treatments to rid her stretch marks. The Coolbeam laser, which is the one Kim Kardashian is going with, requires up to five treatments at around $5,000 per treatment, which adds up to $25,000. Lasers are known for high level of safety and efficacy and most patients come away very pleased with the result. The treated area heals rather quickly, within a week to three weeks.
“Lasers are far less invasive than a tummy tuck, which has a much longer recovery time. Lasers do have some risk, in that they can burn the skin or cause tissue damage. Therefore, it’s very important to choose a doctor who knows what he or she is doing,” advises Dr. Brandow.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been around for the past two decades and used to help athletes like Tiger Woods and Alex Rodriquez recover from injury. A few years ago, the “Vampire Facial” made headlines when micro-needling was added to the procedure, offering a vibrant, smooth, flawless complexion. The results were so great, that cosmetic surgeons started to explore other parts of the body, such as stretch marks on the buttocks, breast, arms, thighs and abdomen.
This calls for blood to be taken from the patient, then put into a machine that separates the platelet-rich plasma from the blood. It is then spread over the face after the micro-needling is completed. The micro-needling is a process where a pen-like tool with several tiny needles at the tip is carefully guided over the affected area, making microscopic holes on both the outer and inner layers of skin. These holes are so small that they heal within a few hours.
The process triggers a healing response in the dermis layer, which is what causes the fast fading of stretch marks. Doctors recommend micro-needling with PRP over any other treatment, because the results are significant and the cost is about $1000 per session. “Micro-needling with PRP is a combination that offers a fast, in-office option, with excellent results and is less costly than lasers,” explains Dr. Brandow, who was recently on TV speaking of the procedure.
Dr. Brandow adds that the advantage of micro-needling with PRP for stretch marks over lasers is a lesser chance of scarring and skin discoloration. “Skin on the body is more susceptible to hyperpigmentation than on the face, making micro-needling a safer option for ethnicities with varying skin tones. This is a big advantage over cool beam lasers, IPL or chemical peels,” he explains.
This is the gold standard, offering the best results. However, it’s invasive and the recovery time is longer.
Known as abdominoplasty, the procedure removes excess skin in the abdominal region and tightens the muscles. The stretch marks below the belly button are discarded, along with the excess skin.
“The tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that comes with risk, so typically candidates must be non-smokers in good physical health and certain they will not want more kids after surgery. It’s is the only option for complete and permanent stretch mark removal. Recovery time can be up to six weeks, and again, it is critical that one chooses a reputable doctor. A botched tummy tuck can lead to off-centered belly buttons, long thick scars, and dangerous infections,” warns Dr. Brandow.
Ultimately, stretch marks are an unfortunate reality that comes with pregnancy, puberty and any other weight or muscle gain where the skin is stretched. There are preventative measures one can take.
Be very weary of anything that seems too good to be true, and always consult with a credentialed doctor when considering any kind of cosmetic procedure.
Dr. Kirk Brandow is a board certified plastic surgeon with practices in the Philadelphia metro area. Named a “Top Doc” in Plastic Surgery by Philadelphia Magazine as well as nationally recognized for one of America’s “Best Plastic Surgeons” of this decade, Dr. Brandow is a trusted expert who has developed many innovative, minimally invasive procedures for the face, body and skin. These procedures include the Boomer Lift™, the 48 Hour Facelift™, the Scarless Breast Implant, the Multilayered Micro-Lipo Augmentation, the Tumescent Technique for Liposuction and the CO2 Laser Blepharoplasty.
He has been featured on local, national and international television programs including 20/20, CNN’s Headline News, Good Morning America, ABC Action News, TV Globo and Telemundo to provide updates and opinions on the latest trends in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Brandow where he has spoken out on the controversial issues of cosmetic surgery, advising viewers to take a more responsible and more realistic approach to the latest fads and gimmicks in Cosmetic Surgery.
Dr. Brandow served as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Aesthetic and Restorative Surgery as well as a preceptor for many live surgical training conferences where he helped teach other doctors advanced techniques in Cosmetic Surgery.