Dr. Mehmet Oz talked before the U.S. Senate subcommittee where he was questioned for saying a weight-loss product, “a miracle in a bottle.”
One of the products he was grilled about is Pure Green Coffee, which has been promoted online using clips from the Dr. Oz. Dr. Oz has said he has asked them not to use his name and/or make it appear he had endorsed their product, even if he did say favorable things about it on his show.
According to WebMD, Pure Green Coffee has the following side effects:
- Abnormally high levels of homocysteine. Consuming a high dose of chlorogenic acid for a short duration has caused increased plasma homocysteine levels, which may be associated with conditions such as heart disease.
- Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in green coffee might make anxiety worse.
- Bleeding disorders: There is some concern that the caffeine in green coffee might make bleeding disorders worse.
- Diabetes: Some research suggests that caffeine contained in green coffee might change the way people with diabetes process sugar. Caffeine has been reported to cause increases as well as decreases in blood sugar. Use caffeine with caution if you have diabetes and monitor your blood sugar carefully.
- Diarrhea: Green coffee contains caffeine. The caffeine in coffee, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.
- Glaucoma: Taking caffeine which is contained in green coffee can increases pressure inside the eye. The increase starts within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.
- Heart disease: When taken at high doses over a short time period, a certain component of green coffee may increase the levels of a particular amino acid in the body (known as homocysteine) that is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Also, other components of green coffee (known as diterpenes) have been associated with increased cholesterol levels, which are also associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
- High blood pressure: Taking caffeine found in green coffee might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect might be less in people who consume caffeine from coffee or other sources regularly.
- High cholesterol. Certain components of unfiltered coffee have been shown to increase cholesterol levels. These components can be found in green coffee as well. However, it is unclear if green coffee can also cause increased cholesterol levels.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Green coffee contains caffeine. The caffeine in coffee, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.
- Thinning bones (osteoporosis): Caffeine from green coffee and other sources can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. This might weaken bones. If you have osteoporosis, limit caffeine consumption to less than 300 mg per day (approximately 2-3 cups of regular coffee). Taking calciumsupplements may help to make up for calcium that is lost. Postmenopausal women who have an inherited condition that keeps them from processing vitamin D normally, should be especially cautious when using caffeine.
He was reprimanded by the Senate Subcommittee for Consumer Protection for “melding medical advice, news and entertainment in a way that harms consumers.”
“I recognize that my enthusiastic language has made the problem worse at times,” Oz said in a statement after the hearing made headlines.
“For years I felt that because I did not sell any products that I could be enthusiastic in my coverage,” Oz said in his post-hearing statement, “and I believe the research surrounding the products I cover has value. I took part in today’s hearing because I am accountable for my role in the proliferation of these scams and I recognize that my enthusiastic language has made the problem worse at times.”
This is not the first time Dr. Oz was in trouble. Previously, he considered himself as a “cheerleader” for the audience and that he does not actually endorse any of the products he talks about on his TV show, so he should not be held responsible for what is said online when his name is used without his permission.
In Washington, D.C., Senator Claire McCaskill chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance told the Dr. Oz that, “The scientific community is almost monolithic against you in terms of the efficacy of the three products you called ‘miracles.’ ” She said his endorsements gave viewers “false hope,” whether intentional or not.
“As a physician,” said an article published by the Daily Beast on June 14, “Dr. Oz’s credentials are truly impressive. He is the vice-chairman of surgery at one of the nation’s top medical schools, after all. But somewhere along the way he decided that his fame was more important than his credibility.”
We recently spoke to an Internal Medicine physician who received a patient that was suffering from muscle inflammation. He commented that her muscles were breaking down. The patient later admitted she was taking a supplement promoted by Dr. Oz.
Dr. Oz has said that he plans on toning down his language on the show even though he really believes the supplements do work.
What do you think of the situation? Do you think Dr. Oz really believes in what he is saying? Do you think the money got to Dr. Oz’s head and cared less about the viewers of his show? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts!
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