I have found that when athletes use PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) there is the possibility of side-effects from using such drugs. Although some of these drugs or supplements are deemed as safe for human consumption by the FDA, there are still concerns of overuse, abuse, allergic reactions, and other issues that might affect one individual differently than another. The user needs to accept the responsibility to read product labels and conduct their own research to best determine what ingredients are used and if they are safe for the individual user and not the general public as a whole.
When examined as a societal issue, I think that it sends the wrong message that it is fine to bypass the hard work, time and effort that is often sacrificed in order to achieve a particular goal relative to better physical performance for whatever sport one is pursuing. With the competition that is inherent within most organized sports, PEDs are bound to cause issues of jealousy and envy as some athletes will develop animosity towards others that are seen as cheating or acquiring an “edge” over other competitors.
This discussion can again lead back into last week’s talk about people looking for and relying upon pharmaceuticals to cure all our illnesses and diseases. However, in this case it would be drugs to not only fix our health problems, but to maybe fix issues of low self-esteem, ego, and other psychological imbalances due to the highly competitive nature of organized sports.
I don’t really see much of a difference between illegal and legal PEDs, when it appears as if many of the supplements that go unregulated as well as those approved by the FDA for prescription use only, are widely available to anyone looking to purchase and use these products at their own risk. Perhaps the whole industry and the FDA are in need of closer scrutiny as to conflicts of interest when it comes to regulating products that have become such a large health issue in sports on all levels.
I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
Underage drinking on US college campuses has skyrocketed over the last few years, as our youth and seemingly everyone, struggles to cope with mental ailments of depression, anxiety, ADHD and others. The apparent ease of obtaining fake ID’s makes it abhorrently obvious that these institutions and their relative law enforcement, care to turn on blind eye and let the alcohol abuse continue, as long as they themselves are not held responsible or liable when the shit goes sideways. How ironic it is that if someone is caught in the possession of a fake ID, they could be facing a third-degree felony charge, and a potential 5 year jail sentence, and a fine up to $5000, depending upon the state that they get caught within – in spite of the fact that fakes are readily available online (https://blogote.com/10-best-fake-id-websites-complete-reviews-2022/)
If you are a parent of a kid away at school and don’t think that yours is drinking, smoking and trying whatever drug they please, you my friend are living in a fantasy land, a state of denial or what is more likely described as cognitive dissonance. “Cognitive dissonance is the unpleasant emotion that results from holding two contradictory beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors at the same time” (Halton, 2022). Examples of how are society embraces cognitive dissonance would be:
The whole tobacco/vape industry. The tobacco industry is probably the only industry which the FDA willfully allows (but not approves of) to operate in spite of the scientific studies that prove the harmful effects to humans. So, while the FDA is basically in place to protect the American population against substances that endanger the health and well-being of humans, they continue to pander to this deadly industry. It has even been proven that the tobacco companies conspired to make their products more addictive, but these companies are still allowed to operate and earn profits (Kodjak, 2017).
We know that our population is dangerously unhealthy, nutrient deprived, overweight or obese, affecting our health, well-being and even the security of our defense as most young adults cannot pass the physical exams to be in the military. Yet, we and our government do little to make this a priority. In the words of Dr. Jerome Adams, the former surgeon general of the United States, “You know what will make you and your community healthier but still, you choose not to do it.” He goes on to state that 7 out of 10 of 18-24-year olds are ineligible for military service. They cannot pass the physical, can’t meet educational requirements, or have a criminal history (TEDx Talks, 2020).
It is common knowledge that our population, and especially our youth have been experiencing more stress, more depression, more anxiety and more suicides than any other time and even prior to our recent health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, we and our government leaders seem to accept this, by not making it a high priority.
These issues and many others will not improve due to a lack of money or resources but rather a lack of moral character and fortitude to actually do what it takes to fix our broken culture. Our government can print a few trillion dollars at a moments notice, often billions of dollars for other countries needs and agendas. But won’t do what it takes to fix our own problems. Why? Because fixing some of these problems would put a lot of companies out of business and investors would lose their ill-gotten gains.
This topic of underage usage of legal substances of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco products is quite relative to current cultural and societal issues. As a parent of two college-age kids, I now have a different perspective than when I was their age and even as a young parent. I personally did much of my experimentation in my early teens as I had access to all of the aforementioned. My parents were either unaware or chose not to appear to know of my actions. I think that back in the 70’s and 80’s many kids were experimenting regardless of what their parents knew or didn’t know. So, what I have learned as a parent is that the more you try to shield or restrict kids from whatever behavior, they will pursue it more out of curiosity, defiance, and rebellion. If we teach and explain issues from a point of concern, love, and respect we have a much better chance of youths making better informed decisions on their own.
I have had pretty much this same conversation with both of my now grown kids, letting them know that I do not encourage underage use, nor “of age” abuse of any of these substances. I also let them know that I am not naïve as to what young adults are doing and the peer pressure that they live within on a daily basis. I am their parent, their guide and sometimes their lifesaver, and I remind them of this.
Drug legality is more of a function of social, political, and economic factors not necessarily related to the toxicity or pharmacology of a particular substance. Some drugs are deemed as unsafe by the powers that be (FDA), while others are judged to be safe but can be just as abused and dangerous. Those that offer adverse or deadly side effects are mostly the ones that become illegal. As social acceptance changes, along with peoples’ individual beliefs, legal status of drugs will continue to be in a constant state of change and adjustment. During the early years of the twentieth century, drugs such as opium, morphine, and cocaine were openly sold but later banned is illegal substances. Marijuana was legal throughout the US until 1937, then it was illegal and now it is becoming more legal again throughout much of the United States (Tikkanen, n.d.).
If we look at the seemingly unlimited resources of the US federal government to fund the “war on drugs” we can see that money, arrests and prison sentences has not been working for the last decades. However, with unlimited resources used more wisely for early education, I feel that knowledge is a root component to not just fix problems in our society, but rather to prevent or decrease the negative consequences. When I saw a movie called “Scared Straight” in middle school, a documentary about life in prison, I received the message. When I saw movies about STD’s in middle school with pictures and interviews of diseased people, I got the message. When my school had a completely crushed car from a DUI accident with a fatality, prominently displayed in the courtyard, I again received the message. From here it was up to me to be responsible to make wise decisions that would affect my life and those around me.
I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
– Depression (10%) and anxiety (63%) at all time highs (especially for teenage girls 60%)
– Being overweight (30%), obese (41.9%) and diabetic (11.3%) at record highs
– Vitamin D deficiency (42%) at record highs due to less outside activity involving sunlight
– Osteoporosis rate is skyrocketing due to poor diet and less physical activity
– Most people don’t consume enough daily fruits and vegetables
The root causes:
poor diet
low physical activity
loss of purpose and life direction
Try a class within a community of like-minded health-oriented people:
Tai chi/qigong/wellness classes at:
The University Club of Winter Park
841 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Thursdays, 11:30am-12:30pm
Winter Park Presbyterian Church
400 S. Lakemont Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Mondays and Fridays, 11:30am-12:30pm
$10 for drop-in class or quantity discounts
Contact to confirm attendance at 407-234-0119
I also offer instruction and lectures for qigong, Taoist yoga, tai chi, martial arts, ship pal gye, hapkido, fitness, wellness and many other avenues to improve health and well-being.
I am currently accepting new clients for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva and Longwood areas.
When discussing public healthcare, the same issue seems to come about how much money is needed versus how much money is wasted? I have a difficult time believing that more money is needed for whatever cause, when there are so many reports of resources being spent on trivial endeavors or corrupt activities. The US government seems to be able to print and distribute millions-billions of $$$$ when they feels it fits the agenda.
I mentioned in other posts about the frivolous expenditures like those reported by Forbes such as taxpayers funding Hookers for Jesus ($530,190), space alien detection ($7 million), a social media war on tanning beds ($3.3 million), webcast-live streamed eclipses ($3.7 million), and subsidizing the airport on Martha’s Vineyard ($12 million). The Forbes article goes on to report that US governmental agencies receiving the highest amount of funding for 2017-2019 was the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) having received $1.5 trillion in grants. Again, I think the government should be held more accountable for these enormous amounts of money that is possibly being spent on inconsequential projects that do not help US citizens as a whole. Our government leaders waste so many resources on these types of projects that the truly important ones get no attention.
So who stands on the moral ground to decide who should receive free healthcare or even paid healthcare? Do drug addicts deserve free help and/or counseling? Does an alcoholic qualify for a liver replacement? Do we not treat the person who gets hit by a car because they weren’t looking or tripped into traffic? Do un-vaccinated, but insurance-paying people still receive coverage? Do football players injured during a game, get refused medical care because they knowingly accept that they may be injured?
As for anyone thinking that “someone ought to know better” is such an ignorant statement as many healthcare issues come about due to socioeconomic as well as psychological issues that often result in them making poor decisions. Our duty as informed citizens would be to support legislation that helps provide for those who cannot, not those who choose not to or will not provide for themselves. Many public health issues are global where eventually all people, animal and plant life and environments of the whole world are affected. Therefore, I feel it is somewhat shortsighted to think that what is happening in other parts of the world won’t eventually come knocking on our door. This is exactly what happened in the early days of COVID-19 being discovered in China, where we might have thought that it was their problem and not ours, until it was.
Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.
I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
Many months have gone by with the world and the United States dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Much has been learned as more data has been compiled to determine patterns of who has been infected. This data is of utmost importance in finding solutions to contain and diminish this severe contagion. In order to produce effective prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, future research needs to understand the sources of severity and complications.What has been determined is that specific demographics of people seem to have been affected much more than other groups. Certain factors such as individuals with comorbidities (multiple chronic illnesses), specific ethnic backgrounds and older aged people have had a greater risk of contracting the disease. Being obese puts someone more at risk for many serious chronic diseases. Over the last 3 years, obesity is one of the issues that has trended towards making an individual most susceptible to becoming affected by COVID-19 (Mal, et al., 2022).
There is much scientific data that supports why biological and physiological mechanisms that fight off disease and illness become compromised due to the various health issues associated with obesity. COVID-19 and its relevance to adiposity are major predictors of severe disease and illness. Hypercytokinemia, immunological, endothelial dysfunction, dysregulation, and cardiovascular impairments are all possible mechanisms, where excess adipose tissue can increase an acute hyper-inflammatory state. This condition is typical of major SARSCoV-2 infections and relative negative symptoms. Increased levels of the pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin, in combination with the anti-inflammatory-acting ACE2 receptors in the lung epithelium of infected individuals, inhibit the innate immune response from being cleared, resulting in a ripple effect of tragic consequences for patients. When adipose tissue and associated immune cells increased cytokine secretion, the immune system can potentially overcompensate as a side-effect of pro-inflammatory “priming,” resulting in a cytokine storm. As a consequence of the immune system’s inability to produce a sufficient immunological response, virus clearance is compromised. High-risk patients that are at an advance age and/or those with obesity, may be more affected from a less robust immune system response and a lower lasting immunological memory, resulting in limited vaccine effectiveness (Mal, et al., 2022).
The CDC has stated “Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and Native American adults have a higher prevalence of obesity and are more likely to suffer worse outcomes from COVID-19. Racial and ethnic minority groups have historically not had broad opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health, and these inequities have increased the risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 for some groups. Many of these same factors are contributing to the higher level of obesity in some racial and ethnic minority groups.”
The pursuit of a healthy lifestyle that can impact the trajectory of COVID-19 disease, has been one of the most important insights reaped from this catastrophe. Hopefully, this insight will not be squandered until the next public health crisis. Government and political leaders stress that everyone should take action to slow the spread of COVID-19, for the benefit of all. We seem to have major public health issues occurring every few years. Personal accountability for ones own health, is indeed a way to change our current “sickcare” system to more of a “selfcare” system where people don’t wait to become sick before adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Systemic change does not happen overnight. Long-term weight loss is a work in progress. Some immediate steps that individuals can do to help protect themselves as well as their families during a pandemic are:
Eat a healthy diet
Use supplements as necessary and not as a substitute
Become more active
Execute regular physical activity
Get adequate sleep
Learn how to cope better with stress
Get adequate sun exposure to promote vitamin D production and natural immunity
These actions can help most individuals with obesity by improving their overall health. These actions can help to lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, and lower blood sugars. With a lower body mass index or BMI, the risk of severe illnesses contributing to contracting COVID-19, as well as many other common diseases and illness can be reduced.
Mal, P., Mukherjee, T., Upadhyay, A. K., Mohanty, S., & Pattnaik, A. K. (2022). Connecting the dots between inflammatory cascades of obesity and COVID-19 in light of mortal consequences-a review. Environmental science and pollution research international, 29(38), 57040–57053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21461-x
Mohammad, S., Aziz, R., Al Mahri, S. et al. Obesity and COVID-19: what makes obese host so vulnerable?. Immun Ageing18, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-020-00212-x
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Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.
I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
United Martial Arts Association 