Energy Drinks!  Are they good for you?

Summer is upon us in Arizona.  The weather forecasters are predicting a very
hot and dry summer.  With this in mind, many of us turn to alternative
energy drinks to satisfy our nutritional needs and energy levels. Generally
we feel that if water is good then energy drinks must be better.
Commercials lead us to believe that more energy will promote better athletic
performance. Even though energy drinks can be found in every grocery store,
this does not mean they are safe.  Many energy drinks contain natural
ingredients that are stimulants.  Since they are natural ingredients the
Food and Drug Administration does not regulate them.

The most potentially dangerous of these ingredients is Ephedra, and/or Ma
Huang; a chemical related to powerful stimulants found in cold medications,
Ritalin, and even speed. Ephedra can cause the heart to race, high blood
pressure, seizures, strokes, even death, especially when combined with other
stimulants like caffeine, guarana, and ginseng.  These combinations of
ingredients are common in these drinks. Other lesser side effects include
insomnia, nervousness, headache, nausea and heart palpitations.  There is an
increase in chemical effects that energy drinks have on a dehydrated body.
These stimulants also will greatly affect someone with heart conditions.  If
you are taking stimulants while playing golf, these drinks may cause you to
shake, have less concentration and play worse not better. If the drink does
not affect you physically, it may affect your pockets.  These drinks are
expensive!

Please donšt confuse ENERGY DRINKS with SPORTS DRINKS.  Sports drinks are
like Gatorade and PowerAde.  Sports drinks give you energy through
carbohydrates.  They supply your body with electrolytes not natural
stimulants.  Use sports drinks in combination with plain water to stay
hydrated. 

Take responsibility and read the label of all drinks and see what you are
ingesting into your body.  The use of energy drinks may enhance your
performance in the short term, but may hinder you in the long term.  Weigh
the risk!  Remember, eventually all substances will be urinated out of the
body.  You may have the most expensive urine on the golf course.  Be safe,
be well hydrated and play good golf.  Have a great summer.

For more information, call (602) 996-9300 to reach Dr. Howard D. Fern,
Chiropractor, whose offices are located in Mesa and Paradise Valley. Dr.
Fern takes a special interest in preventing and treating sports injuries.