Sunday, August 9, 2020

Health Benefits of a Mediterranean, Paleo, Weights Watchers, and Zone Diets

 

A Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest that can be consumed by individuals. This is because it contains such health foods as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, in addition to fresh fish. These foods would often be topped with olive oil, which enhanced the diet, which more often than not did not contain such foods as red meat, poultry, and sweets. This diet is fundamental because it significantly reduced the risk of individuals developing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. However, while it brings down the risk of strokes and heart attacks, it cannot be used for weight loss. For those individuals that already have established obesity, a Mediterranean diet is essential in helping them mitigate some of the problems associated with the condition. This is one of the best diets for healthy people to follow because it ensures that there is the reduction of risks of disease while at the same time helping them achieve a high level of fitness.

A paleo diet, on the other hand, is also extremely beneficial for individuals that indulge in it. This is because it is a diet that emphasizes the consumption of meat, eggs, and fish over other sources of protein. A consequence is that it promotes the achievement of weight loss while at the same time reducing incidents of heart disease and strokes. It is also a means through which consumers can be able to achieve optimum health and athletic performance to such an extent that they are physically fit at all times. Therefore, a paleo diet, which essentially follows the same diet as that used in the Stone Age, ensures that individuals are able to avoid the diseases that have come about because of sedentary living.

The Weight Watchers diet is one that seeks to ensure that individuals are able to sustain their weight at healthy levels. This means that there is an emphasis on weight reduction diets that seek to ensure that there is the advancement of the health of consumers while at the same time helping these individuals avoid those foods that can cause them harm. A result is that they are better able to ensure that they consume a healthy low-fat diet while not putting too many restrictions on the consumer. Consumers are also provided with means through which they can ensure that they continue consuming the foods that they enjoy, and this enables them to make sure that they enjoy the process of dieting.

The Zone diet is one that seeks to ensure that the consumers are able to lose as much weight as possible in the shortest time. This is an extremely pertinent means of making sure that there is wellness for the longest period of time. It also ensures that individuals are able to perform better in such a way that they are more than capable of thinking faster than average. It is also believed to be a very good diet to follow by those individuals who want to slow down their aging process.

Health Benefits of a ‘Walking’ Program

 

One of the most fundamental aspects concerning a walking program is that it allows individuals to achieve better health. This is especially considering that walking allows individuals to avoid such medical conditions as cardiovascular disease as well as the reduction of high blood pressure. The achievement of this goal can be extremely important especially in a situation where individuals live more sedentary lives than their counterparts in previous generations. A consequence is that having a 30 minute walk on a daily basis ensures that there is a significant burning of calories in the body. 

Having the same walking time and at an increased distance ensures that individuals are better able to burn even more calories and this is to such an extent that they achieve healthier lives. It also ensures that the risk of various diseases is considerably reduced and allows individuals who make the walks to lose weight. Weight loss is an essential need in the contemporary world, especially for those individuals that are overweight, because they can be able to reduce the risks associated with considerable weight gain such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Daily walks are also essential because they help older individuals to reduce the risk of developing dementia as they grow older. Therefore, walking for about 6 miles per week can help individuals ensure that they are able to prevent the shrinkage of their brains while at the same time keeping their memories intact. Under such circumstances, walking makes it possible for individuals to have more fulfilling lives.

There are other health benefits of a walking program which are essential and should be recommended to all patients. One of these is that frequent walks allow individuals to obtain vitamin D, which is essential in the improvement of bone health as well as the immune system. There are also instances where individuals tend to spend so much time indoors that they fail to obtain the benefits of spending time outside. Therefore, undertaking a walking program is vital in getting the benefits of being outdoors while also helping individuals obtain more energy. This is especially the case considering that walking at a brisk pace on a daily basis is one of the most important and fastest natural energizers. This is especially considering that it increases circulation and blood supply to all parts of the body to such an extent that the individual involved feels more alive and alert. 

Such a situation makes it possible for those participating in walking to obtain the means through which to ensure that they achieve a level of happiness because walking enables individuals to avoid a lifestyle where they are cooped up all the time. By participating in exercise, it becomes possible for individuals to get to know more about their bodies and this is to such an extent that they are able to exercise the different parts of their bodies that really need to be worked out. Therefore, undertaking a walking program is essential for the advancement of the overall physical and mental health of individuals.

Friday, August 7, 2020

The Use of E-cigarettes and the Cessation of Smoking

 

The electronic cigarette is an electronic device that delivers nicotine to steam, and it allows the individual to take in nicotine without experiencing some of the negative effects of smoking. This is especially considering that the steam produced does not contain tar or carbon monoxide. Studies have shown that electronic cigarettes can help smokers stop smoking, so they can be tried instead of other remedies that are often recommended by practitioners (Adriaens et al., 2014). As with other approaches, they are most effective when using support smoking services such as the NHS Smoking Support Service, among others. Currently there are no available electronic cigarettes by prescription, but it is likely that as soon as the medicinal products with electronic cigarettes become available, general practitioners, who wish their patients to stop smoking, will be able to prescribe them. The report examines several scientific studies that analyze the harm and benefits of electronic cigarettes, and argues that devices that evaporate liquid nicotine can successfully help smokers end their dependence on nicotine. Although the report acknowledges that electronic cigarettes are probably more harmful when compared to other nicotine replacement treatments because they are not manufactured under the same safety standards, it is likely to be the best method because it has a less harmful effect than smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes (Malas et al., 2016). Therefore, the utilization of e-cigarettes may be instrumental within the accomplishment of smoking cessation as a result of its being solely less harmful than typical tobacco cigarettes; it conjointly ensures that there's the advancement of suggests that through that people square measure ready to cut back their dependence on nicotine.

The increasing use of electronic cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco smoking has been the topic of abundant dialogue, with a lot of speculation regarding their potential risks and profit. A study that was conducted on the matter stated that to meet almost all the problems associated with these products, it is essential to increase studies concerning their long term effects (Brown et al., 2014). It concludes that with cheap regulation, electronic cigarettes will build a big contribution to the interference of premature death, sickness and social inequity in health, that smoking is presently one amongst the most important causes. It additional suggests that smokers within the United Kingdom ought to be confident that these product will facilitate them quit all tobacco use for good. this is often in distinction to the U.S., wherever the Centers for Disease Control and interference focus in the main on the potential dangers of electronic cigarettes, particularly with relation to smoking among adolescents (Camenga et al., 2014). These harmful effects that are focused on come about because since electronic cigarettes are still not regulated in the US, they come in a diversity of flavors such as chocolate and cherries, which are liked by teenagers. The use of these flavors is often banned in normal tobacco cigarettes, which ensures that the safety of individuals is catered for. One of the most significant developments that have taken place in recent years is that electronic cigarettes have ended up overtaking conventional cigarettes in middle and high schools in the US, and this has been cause for concern. In the study, the researchers suggest that in the United Kingdom there is no proof that electronic cigarettes encourage the smoking tobacco.  They further suggest that these products are instead a better means of ensuring that there is a reduction in the use of conventional cigarettes. Moreover, the study focuses more on how electronic cigarettes can be used to effectively remove smokers from conventional cigarettes containing tar and other chemicals that cause cancer.

Electronic cigarettes are relatively new to the market, and it is obvious that much remains to be learned about the personal and broad impact of these products on the health of individuals. However, there is no doubt that electronic cigarettes are very popular, and they give rise to serious disagreements among health professionals (Yong et al., 2014). In particular, the researchers have sought to examine whether the use of electronic cigarettes can reduce or eliminate the use of conventional cigarettes among current smokers. In two randomized controlled trials, electronic cigarettes were compared with non-nicotine control therapy with the outcome being that both tests showed a low or very low quality of evidence. Nevertheless, participants receiving electronic cigarettes more than twice as often experienced a 6-month abstention from cigarettes when compared with the participants in the control group. Another cohort study comparing electronic cigarettes with a nicotine patch showed that 2 products contributed to similar 6-month abstinence rates from conventional cigarettes. Other studies have shown that smoking electronic cigarettes is associated with a significant reduction in the smoking of conventional cigarettes. These data are useful for electronic cigarettes, but are limited and far from final. A recent report from Public Health England (PHE) has sparked controversy over electronic cigarettes, and the analysis of this product visibly calls into question the origins and conclusions of the report; showing the considerable controversy that is still involved concerning electronic cigarettes (McNeil et al., 2016). This study, however, shows positive outcomes when it comes to the use of electronic cigarettes as a cessation method, and it is likely that they will be proven true.

Electronic cigarettes, that are called electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) were originally developed in China in 2003 and have since become wide on the market throughout the world, particularly being oversubscribed on-line. ENDS is heated and vaporized with an outcome containing nicotine, and which has lesser effects than regular tobacco cigarettes (Kalkhoran and Glantz, 2016). Some proponents of nicotine reduction from tobacco smoke indicate that these products are considered viable substitutes for cigarettes, since they turn out fewer toxins within the vapor delivered to the user. However, there certain issues regarding unknown long term safety, inadequate data on content and emissions, particularly with long use associated with nicotine that involve unsupported claims to this product as an aid to quitting smoking. There may additionally be causeless consequences related to the utilization of ENDS, together with the power to cause nicotine dependence in non-smokers or to take care of dependence in smokers. Additionally, some issues of concern were expressed that ENDS may undermine the advanced restrictions on smoking within the premises and therefore the policy relating to the absence of tobacco smoke. This study is so pertinent as a result because it seeks to indicate that there are still several unreciprocated queries regarding the utilization of electronic cigarettes as a cessation tool once it involves encouraging people to quit smoking typical cigarettes. It presents the hope that future studies will be able to finally determine, without a doubt, that electronic cigarettes are the best means through which to discourage cigarette use in the UK. It seeks to show that despite the considerable issues and controversies involved in the use of electronic cigarettes, it is still a viable option to replace regular cigarettes.

Samples of current and former smokers interviewed within the four largest English-speaking countries showed important awareness of electronic cigarettes: from seventy three within the U.S. to twenty in Australia. Among those that grasp, Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire tested electronic cigarettes (7.6% of the full sample), and among those that tried electronic cigarettes, 39% (2.9% of the sample) were current users (Adkison et al., 2013). In numerous countries, awareness of those relatively new products within the market was higher among younger, non-minority teams with higher incomes. The testing and use of electronic cigarettes were related to smoking standing and smoking frequency, with smokers World Health Organization don't seem to be the foremost frequent users on a commonplace, most frequently making an attempt to use electronic cigarettes, though there have been few smokers within the sample. Current use was related to an oversized reduction in cigarettes per day over time, compared to non-electronic cigarette users, and this was proven among those participants wherever knowledge was on the market. Despite this being the case, users are not inclined to quit smoking than non-users. The latter finding can be considered to have come about because quitting smoking can be an extremely lengthy process that requires that the individual has time to handle the various effects. The achievement of this goal can be furthered by the use of electronic cigarettes because the latter ensures that the individual maintains a level of nicotine consumption while at the same time helping these individuals avoid the adverse effects of smoking.

The comparatively higher prevalence of use of electronic cigarettes among non-smokers might have many explanations (Wills et al., 2015). First, smokers do not take cigarettes on a daily basis will supplement nicotine intake from alternative sources, since smoking is restricted publicly places, and cigarettes are getting costlier. As a lot of knowledge becomes available, it will be necessary to assess whether or not the utilization of electronic cigarettes is related to the addition of smokeless behavior policies because of smoking restrictions reception, within the geographical point or in alternative public places. The on the market knowledge for this sample failed to show a distinction within the electronic cigarette take a look at between respondents did this compared to those that failed to have a whole ban on smoking reception, though additional use was a lot of doubtless among respondents within the U.S. failed to have prohibitions on smoking reception.  Secondly, the use of electronic cigarettes can encourage smokers to reduce the overall smoking of cigarettes to a non-standard pattern. The achievement of the goal of reducing smoking among smokers can therefore be aided by the use of electronic cigarettes. This study shows that individuals are more likely to reduce smoking, with the latter essentially becoming less frequent. The possibility of ceasing to smoke is actually quite high and it is possible that it might end up bringing about a situation where electronic cigarettes become the norm.

To date, one study has assessed electronic cigarettes as a means of reducing harm and quitting smoking with encouraging results. However, a considerable number of individuals that participated in the study reported that they used electronic cigarettes as a method of obtaining nicotine in smokeless places (Hummel et al., 2015). This is an extremely significant observation because it indicates that electronic cigarettes are also used to satisfy nicotine dependence during periods of temporary abstinence. With the addition of future waves of review of the International Tobacco Control, it will be possible to track whether those who choose to use electronic cigarettes independently from those who do not use electronic cigarettes are more or less successful in their attempts to refrain from smoking. This study shows that one of the most significant achievements of electronic cigarettes is that it has led to a situation where individuals are more likely to quit smoking because they have the means to obtain the nicotine that they need from time to time (Gravely et al., 2014). It is also a fundamental study because it advances the idea that individuals are more than capable to ensuring the advancement of means through which to bring their smoking under control because they have an alternative to actually using conventional cigarettes. Therefore, electronic cigarettes have become a method through which to bring about an end to considerably higher harmful effects brought about by conventional cigarettes.

Levels of awareness, testing and use have been found to be surprisingly high in a number of countries where electronic cigarettes are nominally illegal. This situation is instrumental in showing that there is a diverse number of ways through which individuals are able to obtain a ready supply of electronic cigarettes (Adkison et al., 2013). Among the foremost necessary information that can be found online, that is very necessary in promoting the merchandise, especially, considering the convenience within which product may be sold illegally and used privately. Indeed, those that responded with a computer survey that will indicate a bigger use and familiarity with the web sources a lot of doubtless to report data of electronic cigarettes. This knowledge show however straightforward it is to limit product limitations within the age of the web, and this could be necessary for regulators. Future research should explore how electronic cigarette users get their devices; determine the market share of various electronic cigarette products used, and how products and marketing influence the patterns of use (Buonocore et al., 2017). Such a study will ensure that there is a greater understanding of the status of electronic cigarettes in society while at the same time enabling regulators to bring about a situation where they are able to establish methods for the regulation and legalization of the use of these devices.

Discussion

Assessing the likely impact of cigarette smoking on public health, it is essential to take into account the astonishing number of deaths and illnesses caused by smoking all over the world. In this context, attempts should not be made to prevent new promising approaches that can change this image. Like any new approach that might presumably result in cessation of smoking, there ought to be an overall analysis of electronic cigarettes on the idea of accessible data, recognizing that an overall analysis of all potential long effects would require a multiannual study. The data within the literature review shows that electronic cigarettes will safely facilitate folks quit smoking. a substantial range of studies have return to the conclusion that link the overwhelming majority of smoking-related diseases to smoking product, rather than nicotine to tobacco product and electronic cigarettes. Nicotine may be a substance that's extremely addictive; however it is not the reason for cancer, respiratory organ sickness or lung sickness seen in smokers. Though the rejection of all nicotine-containing products is also a perfect target, smokers who try and stop alone have less of an opportunity of long success and solely slightly a lot of people that these have the chance to receive the mandatory health care. It is therefore essential to make sure that there is the advancement of initiatives aimed at bringing about a reduction of conventional cigarette smoking through the use of electronic cigarettes. The latter can be used as a long-term solution towards cessation because it will ensure that individuals cut down on the number of cigarettes that they smoke.

In this context, the possibility of switching from cigarettes to tobacco in electronic cigarettes containing nicotine but not burning offers great prospects as a way of saving lives. Researchers from authoritative organizations, including the Tobacco and Alcohol Center in the United Kingdom, and the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Geneva have come to the conclusion that electronic cigarettes contribute to reducing or eliminating tobacco use. Recently, the UK government in a bid to regulate conventional cigarette smoking has approved electronic cigarettes as a cure for this problem (Zhu et al., 2017). This position also supports common sense, since any other form of nicotine replacement that has been studied so far has shown that it helps people stop smoking; including studies conducted concerning nicotine gum, nasal spray, inhalers and inhalers. In addition, compared to these therapies, electronic cigarettes can more effectively satisfy the smoker's desire with the rapid injection of nicotine as a cigarette and also satisfy the usual aspects of smoking. As electronic cigarette technology improves, these devices will certainly become more effective tools to help smokers break their dependence on fuel cigarettes. It is possible that the use of these devices will ensure that individuals are better able to gain control over their smoking habit to such an extent that it brings about complete cessation. The achievement of this objective through the use of electronic cigarettes has the potential of making conventional cigarettes a thing of the past and will enable society to significantly reduce the healthcare expenditure that involves cigarette smoking.

The available knowledge confirms by an awesome majority the study that electronic cigarettes are fairly safe and by far very necessary; meaning that it is much less dangerous than cigarettes. Despite the agreement of specialists, some researchers have centered their attention on alternative health issues. Studies involving the negative aspects of electronic cigarettes square measure of dramatic quality and infrequently receive in depth coverage by the press. parenthetically, some initial reports recommended that electronic cigarettes turn out methanol, a venomous substance found in cigarette smoke (Ghosh and Drummond, 2017). However, recent studies have shown that below traditional in operation conditions, electronic cigarettes turn out abundant less methanol than tobacco cigarettes. Moreover, the negative study mentioned shows that electronic cigarettes might not be effective for smokers who need to prevent smoking. The report received extensive but incorrect coverage in the press, as smokers who go to electronic cigarettes may be an independent group with particular difficulties to stop smoking. The gold standard for efficacy assessment is a randomized clinical trial and two experiments so far have shown that electronic cigarettes can help smokers stop smoking. One of the most fundamental issues that are not addressed in this study is that there is little consideration that most of the recommended remedies for cessation of smoking do not often work. Emergency approaches are desperately required particularly considering that the WHO predicts that one billion deaths are going to be related to smoking within the twenty first century (Nemati et al., 2017). Electronic cigarettes have an incomparable ability to scale back the result of smoking on smokers and non-smokers by permitting smokers to exchange smoking habits and nicotine from smoking while not becoming victims of the venomous effects of combustion.

Patients use the electronic cigarette for a variety of reasons, but the most common are many who stop smoking to reduce the number of cigarettes smoking per day and use a product that is considered "healthier" than cigarettes smoking. The use of electronic cigarettes is therefore a safer means of smokers obtaining a dose of nicotine when compared to other forms of nicotine administration. Thus, electronic cigarettes may have an advantage over other smoking cessation treatment as it approaches optic and behavioral smoking. Many of the aesthetic and behavioral aspects of smoking, which smokers are trying to stop usually - for example, non-nicotine rewards and the aesthetic kinetic effects of hand-mouth, visual or throat emotions are shaped using electronic cigarettes. The use of these devices end up leading to the advancement of treatment for smokers in such a way that they end up being discouraged from continuing to make use of conventional cigarettes. It also ensures that there is a viable option that can be adopted in a bid to achieve cessation because there are instances where individuals are not willing to cease smoking immediately, and the process has to be conducted at a slower pace. A consequence is that the use of electronic cigarettes allows for the advancement of smoking cessation over a long term; ensuring that there are lesser occurrences of individuals returning to conventional cigarettes.

One of the most important findings made by the studies above is that electronic cigarettes could help smokers reduce the number of smoked cigarettes compared to other methods of bringing about cessation. Although it is not known whether "dual use" - using electronic cigarettes, and the continued smoking, albeit less, cigarettes - is only one step in the process of smoking cessation with the help of electronic cigarette or if it can prolong the duration of smoking. It is well known that reducing the number of conventional cigarettes is a useful strategy for smoking cessation and ultimately leads to less exposure to harmful toxins than continued smoking. The studies in the literature review have shown that reducing the number of smoked cigarettes before the scheduled use of electronic cigarettes led to a reduction in smoking, abrupt smoking, without reducing the number of smoked cigarettes. In a small study in the UK, smokers who were given electronic cigarettes as part of a specialized treatment to "stop smoking" and who failed in an attempt to stop but continued to use electronic cigarettes to reduce the amount of toxins, ended up being positively affected when compared to those who continued smoking only smoke cigarettes, offering short-term "dual use" associated with reducing damage. Therefore, the use of electronic cigarettes can be considered an essential method, if not the most effective, in helping smokers reduce smoking conventional cigarettes and eventual cessation.

Conclusion

Uncertainty about hypothetical damage that might be caused by electronic cigarettes does not always justify the imposition of sanctions. This is especially where the costs and dangers of such a restriction are likely to be much higher than the costs and to prejudice the "light touch" regulation based on what we know about the toxicology of electronic cigarettes. Currently there are data on the chemical properties of aerosols in the electronic cigarettes, so it is difficult to think that the scope of any adverse health effects, even decades’ accumulation will rival what is derived from decades of toxic smoke inhalation. Even if there were an adverse health effect unknown, the authorities could probably wait several decades before there was any sign. One of the most significant suggestions that can be made is that those who offer to wait have an ethical obligation to specify what kind of evidence would convince them to lift the sales ban in the electronic cigarettes. Appropriate approach would be to enable product availability, while ensuring a stable regulatory requirement for product ingredients and to use surveillance and compliance at all levels of tobacco control and point of sale. In this way, it will be possible to ensure that there are adequate controls aimed at reassuring users as well as the public concerning the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in bringing about cessation of smoking.

Many people will ask about electronic cigarettes, may have tried them, perhaps use them on a daily basis, or intend to use them. They should be informed that the electronic cigarettes are the safest options to continue to smoke tobacco and are probably equally effective in quitting smoking, such as nicotine replacement therapies. Those who do not want to quit smoking or who have tried the range of evidence-based but non-smoking yet repeated approaches should actively discontinue trying or continue using electronic cigarettes if they are using them already. Rather than being discouraged, these individuals should be supported and should be warned that if they use electronic cigarettes, it is used more safely without further smoking, even a cigarette. If they find it difficult to cut out smoking altogether, then "dual use" should provide for a limited period of time, with the intention of reducing and eventually ceasing to smoke cigarettes.

In addition to the wide range of products within the electronic cigarette group, several of the new inhaled nicotine devices that appear to be promising are in development. These include products developed by tobacco companies such as "unheated cigarettes", aerosol systems with metered dose inhaler and a nicotine-pyruvate. Such products, especially those developed by the tobacco industry and its subsidiaries, pose a challenge to community tobacco control, although they have potential as new opportunities for many smokers seeking help to quit smoking and improve their health. It also raises the issue of reducing the harmful effects of smoking as a valid smoking strategy and raises questions about industry commitment. As there is the development of new products with reduced levels of harm, it is vital that healthcare professionals adhere to the innovation and evidence in this area in order to guide people who smoke in public and politicians to advance the use of electronic cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes are thought of by its critics as a cause for long harm. The chance of harm from the long use of electronic cigarettes can't be rejected because of the inhalation of ingredients other than nicotine, however most likely abundant smaller and significantly below the results of smoking with acceptable product standards. To minimize exposure to alternative elements ought to be attainable to additional reduce physical health hazards. Though it is unimaginable to accurately assess the long health risks related to electronic cigarettes, studies indicate that it is unlikely to exceed five percent of those in regard to smoking tobacco product and should be considerably less than that figure. The studies and discussions above show the necessity for proportional regulation, however recommended that regulation should not be able to considerably impede the adoption and use of the electronic cigarettes which might end up hurting smokers. The restrictive strategy ought to be a balanced approach to making sure product safety, to change and encourage smokers to use the merchandise rather than tobacco and to notice and stop the results that are contrary to the objectives of the tobacco management policy.

 

 

 

 

 

References

ADKISON, S. E., O'CONNOR, R. J., BANSAL-TRAVERS, M., HYLAND, A., BORLAND, R., YONG, H.-H., CUMMINGS, K. M., MCNEILL, A., THRASHER, J. F. & HAMMOND, D. 2013. Electronic nicotine delivery systems: international tobacco control four-country survey. American journal of preventive medicine, 44, 207-215.

ADRIAENS, K., VAN GUCHT, D., DECLERCK, P. & BAEYENS, F. 2014. Effectiveness of the electronic cigarette: an eight-week Flemish study with six-month follow-up on smoking reduction, craving and experienced benefits and complaints. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11, 11220-11248.

BROWN, J., BEARD, E., KOTZ, D., MICHIE, S. & WEST, R. 2014. Realworld effectiveness of ecigarettes when used to aid smoking cessation: a crosssectional population study. Addiction, 109, 1531-1540.

BUONOCORE, F., GOMES, A. C. M., NABHANI-GEBARA, S., BARTON, S. J. & CALABRESE, G. 2017. Labelling of electronic cigarettes: regulations and current practice. Tobacco control, 26, 46-52.

CAMENGA, D. R., DELMERICO, J., KONG, G., CAVALLO, D., HYLAND, A., CUMMINGS, K. M. & KRISHNAN-SARIN, S. 2014. Trends in use of electronic nicotine delivery systems by adolescents. Addictive behaviors, 39, 338-340.

GHOSH, S. & DRUMMOND, M. B. 2017. Electronic cigarettes as smoking cessation tool: are we there? Current opinion in pulmonary medicine, 23, 111-116.

GRAVELY, S., FONG, G. T., DRIEZEN, P., MCNALLY, M., THRASHER, J. F., THOMPSON, M. E., BOADO, M., BIANCO, E., BORLAND, R. & HAMMOND, D. 2014. The impact of the 2009/2010 enhancement of cigarette health warning labels in Uruguay: longitudinal findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Uruguay Survey. Tobacco control, tobaccocontrol-2014-051742.

HUMMEL, K., HOVING, C., NAGELHOUT, G. E., DE VRIES, H., VAN DEN PUTTE, B., CANDEL, M. J., BORLAND, R. & WILLEMSEN, M. C. 2015. Prevalence and reasons for use of electronic cigarettes among smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26, 601-608.

MALAS, M., VAN DER TEMPEL, J., SCHWARTZ, R., MINICHIELLO, A., LIGHTFOOT, C., NOORMOHAMED, A., ANDREWS, J., ZAWERTAILO, L. & FERRENCE, R. 2016. Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: a systematic review. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 18, 1926-1936.

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Thursday, August 6, 2020

Labeling GMO Products

 

The issue of labeling genetically modified organisms (GMO) has been a contentious one for many years. This is because it has involved a situation where companies producing these products believe that the obligation to label them leads to higher food costs. On the other hand, a majority of individuals in society believe that it is essential for these companies to label their GMO products because to do so would help them ensure that they have an understanding of what they are consuming. The real issue in this case is one concerning labeling rather than one that involves individuals undertaking a crusade against GMO products in general. This paper argues that it is essential for the USDA to ensure that it requires manufacturers to label their GMO products at all times because it is in the public interest to do so.

One of the most important reasons for having labels on food is that rather than only involving matters concerning safety, it is also informational. The information provided to consumers is essential in the advancement of their knowledge concerning the products that they are using. All consumers have the right to have knowledge concerning what they are eating because to do so ensures that they are able to make informed decisions (Hanes). Undertaking a science-based approach in the process would be fundamental in enhancing consumer knowledge because they will come to the realization that the food manufacturers care about their welfare while at the same time allow them to only consume those products that are of their own choosing. Having knowledge concerning the material differences that exist between food that has been bioengineered and those that are produced traditionally could help in creating a situation where consumer choice is greatly advanced. The requirement that companies label their GNO products is therefore essential in advancing their interests of consumers because it will ensure that their safety is promoted. It will also help in the promotion of initiatives aimed at helping consumers make informed decisions concerning what they would like or not like to consume. This situation will also provide government agencies with the initiative to confirm that products are actually what they are labeled so that government oversight on consumer safety can be advanced effectively. Therefore, the USDA has to ensure that the requirement of GMO product labeling is made mandatory so that consumer safety and information can be made a priority.

One of the most significant factors concerning labeling GMO is that it promotes lesser confusion when it comes to consumers making decisions concerning food purchases. Labeling is an essential action because it allows consumers to make sure that they know about the sources of their food and the process through which these foods were manufactured. This argument has been countered by the food industry, which for the most part considers GMO labels as being restrictive to such an extent that they are likely to increase food costs. Food manufacturers have further argued that labeling could increase production costs because they would be forced to ensure that they have different supply chains and delivery mechanisms for their products (Kimbrell and Fedoroff). This argument does not have merit because it is the responsibility of food manufacturers to ensure that they promote the interests of their consumers. Without undertaking such actions, they would be putting their consumers at risk because the latter will not have knowledge concerning the food that they are consuming. Basic labeling would also not be costly for food producers because they are required to label all their products, especially when it comes to their content. Therefore, it is hypocritical of them to state that they would incur higher production costs because of the requirement that they label their GMO products. These companies seem to be using the argument that labeling will only confuse their consumers to serve their own interests, especially at a time when many of them have the desire to undertake to produce GMO foods on a larger scale than they are already.

Labeling GMO products is essential because despite these products having been used for many years, there have not been independent long-term studies concerning their effect on human health. In this case, it is important that labeling is conducted so that consumers can choose whether or not to use these products. The same can be said when it comes to the credibility of manufacturers because the latter have argued that for the most part, they do not find any safety issues with their GMO products (Rosen; Haspel). Under these circumstances, the credibility of products as well as their manufacturers would be considerably undermined because consumers will have serious trust issues when it comes to the products that they find on retail shelves. Consequently, companies have to make sure that they label all their products based on their origins so that it can be possible for consumers, who are concerned about their health, to make informed decisions concerning what they are consuming. It will also ensure that there is an increase in the level of trust that consumers have towards food manufacturing companies. A major example of successful GMO labeling is that conducted in EU countries, which despite the process having been conducted have seen no increase in food costs, and have not had problems with consumer confusion over products (Bakar Webb). Instead, consumers have had confusion over foods alleviated through labeling; advancing their interests over those of manufacturing companies.

The labeling of GMO products by food manufacturers is an important step towards the promotion of the peace of mind of consumers. It will allow these individuals to ensure that they make informed decisions concerning the products that they are consuming, especially keeping in mind issues such as their health and safety. Because long term effects of GMO products have not been researched on independently, labeling these products could go a long way towards protecting consumer interests. It will further allow research on the subject to be more effectively conducted in the interest of finding out what the effects of GMO products on health are, in both the short- and long-term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Bakar Webb, A. "Declare Support for GMO-Free Zones." New Straits Times, 15 Mar, 2016, pp. 16, SIRS Issues Researcherhttps://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Hanes, Stephanie. "GMO Labels: The Great American Food Fight." Christian Science Monitor, 25 Jun, 2016, pp. n/a, SIRS Issues Researcherhttps://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Haspel, Tamar. "In the GMO Debate, we have to Weigh the Risks of Roundup." Washington Post, 07 Oct, 2015, pp. E.4, SIRS Issues Researcherhttps://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Kimbrell, Andrew, and Nina Fedoroff. "Should Companies be Required to Label Genetically Modified Foods?" Wall Street Journal, 13 Jul, 2015, pp. R.1, SIRS Issues Researcherhttps://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.

Rosen, Ben. "GMO Crops are Safe, Say Scientists. should they be Labeled Anyway?" Christian Science Monitor, 17 May, 2016, pp. n/a, SIRS Issues Researcherhttps://sks-sirs-com.dcccd.idm.oclc.org.