Distorted supplement survey;

I received a small magazine in the mail, one which i do not pay for, i am guessing it is from the vitamin shop to be used as a promotional tool. Anyway, as i was skimming the mag i came across an article titled "Polling a fast one, distorted supplement survey leaves out key facts".
The short article goes on to describe a misleading report that blanketed the media regarding a survey that was taken over the phone regarding weight loss supplements. A national telephone survey of one thousand four hundred and forty four people were asked about their views concerning the the integrity of over the counter weight loss supplements. Those interviewed expressed confidence in the integrity of over the counter weight loss supplements, yet the media stories on the survey promoted the impression that consumers were being duped simply because fifty four percent of them believed that over the counter weight loss supps. were approved by the FDA. As we are all aware the FDA only approves prescription medications and has very little to do with anything classified as a supplement, other than playing a role in faulty or misleading labeling.
It turns out that this survey was was funded by the huge drug conglomerate GlaxoSmithKline! And it just happens to have a new weight loss drug hitting the market!
This brings me to my point, No where in the article or media report does it give any information about the ages of those surveyed or what kind of fitness orientation or supplements those interviewed were into or taking. Not only does this apply to this survey but to any and all surveys and research done on any and all supplements. Be careful about what you read and try to find out who did the research or survey and how many people were involved and for how long those people were followed. Otherwise any amount of research could be "spun" to give anyone the results that they are after as with the case in point of the previous article.
This brings to mind a memory that my mom used to tell me while she was watching the news. There would always be a report on the eleven o'clock news regarding coffee, for instance, one week, and how it was bad for you. However the week after coffee was considered allright. After hearing this i began to watch just to see what it was all about and to my surprise, during the weeks when coffee was good for you it just so happens that the commercials in between news reports just happened to be commercials for maxwell house! Go fiqure! The list of examples is too long to list here and i won't bore you with the details, i just wanted to bring this to your attention and hopefully help you be a little wiser when it comes to reading or watching reports regarding supplements. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of legitimate researchers out there trying to do good work, you just have to find them and sometimes you have to dig a little to uncover the truth!

The end of 2006;

Two thousand and six was an amazing year for me as well as ted and glen, coming off of ted's fifth place finish at the masters nationals, two thousand and six is going to be a hard year to beat and one i will always remember. Two thousand and seven is going to be all about training and getting ted ready for the two thousand and eight masters nationals. I will keep you informed as often as i can regarding ted's progress on a monthly basis and any and all new and worth while training techniques and nutrition information that i come across.
Ted has mentioned to me, however, that he has it in the back of his mind that he wants to see what he looks like come this year's masters nationals and maybe, just maybe, he might enter the two thousand and seven show, but that remains to be seen and will rest heavily on the progress we make as far as his training is concerned. The question remains open and no one can answer that until several months from now, but i will keep you all informed on any developments as i receive them.
I hope everyone has had a great year personally and training, i hope everyone has met and surpassed any goals that they may have set for themselves for two thousand and six. Two thousand and seven is approaching quickly and now is the time to sit down with a pen and paper and to write down the new goals for the upcoming year ahead. Just remember to remain realistic with your goal setting and be honest with yourself and don't be afarid to get the input of some close friends. I look forward to helping you all anyway i can with those goals and keeping you informed as best as i can regarding training, nutrition and all things related to working out, just remember to train hard and smart and you can't go wrong. Happy New Year!!!!!!!