Energy drinks are a phenomenon that began almost 20 years ago but have increased in popularity over the last 10 years. The problem is they claim to be healthy, but that is far from the truth. They contain harmful chemicals and artificial sweeteners that damage your health.
If you are tired, there is a reason for it. One must get to the root cause of one’s fatigue and handle what is causing it instead of masking it with Red Bull, Monster Energy Drink, 5 Hour Energy, RockStar, Zipfizz just to name a few. These energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which can cause other health issues such as heart damage, kidney problems and insomnia.
The large dosage of caffeine in these drinks can also lead to caffeine overdose symptoms:
- Heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat
- Tremors or shaking
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Inability to deal with even mild stress
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Increased urination
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Convulsions
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Insomnia
- Increase cortisol production, which leads to abdominal weight gain
- Heart damage
- Adrenal failure
- Heart attack and even death
Unfortunately, there have been hundreds of deaths linked to energy drinks, some of whom have been children. I was only able to find the statistics prior to 2012, which were as follows: 2004 to 2012, 22 deaths associated with 5 Hour Energy, 11 deaths linked to Monster and one death linked to RockStar. Recently there have been multiple deaths from Red Bull and others, which have wrongful death lawsuits pending.
These energy drinks also contain other toxins such as sucralose, an artificial sweetener that Splenda is made out of. This toxic substance has been linked to birth defects in unborn fetuses, splenomegaly (abnormal enlargement of the spleen) and even burst spleens. Other symptoms from sucralose include gastrointestinal symptoms, seizures, dizziness, migraines, blurred vision, allergies, increase in blood sugar and weight gain.
There are many reasons for tiredness or chronic fatigue. Some are mineral deficiencies such as potassium, poor nutrition or diet, food allergies and additives, too much sugar or carbohydrates consumption, medication side effects, too much caffeine consumption, which damages the adrenal glands, depression, heavy metals and other toxins and certain disease processes.
The intelligent thing to do is to obtain a blood test, or better yet, a hair mineral analysis to look for heavy metals and mineral deficiencies, which is offered at A Slimmer You PA. You need to investigate what is causing the tiredness or chronic fatigue and handle the cause instead of masking the symptom with an energy drink that could destroy your health or even worse, could cause your death.
If the cause of the fatigue is heavy metals, this can be handled with oral chelation, and if the cause is a mineral deficiency, you can be prescribed the correct dosage of minerals to relieve the fatigue.
Hope this helps. And if there are any questions you may email me at doctorvalentine@aslimmeryou.us.
Dr. Valentine is a weight loss consultant, a health consultant and a chiropractor. You can reach her at 855-771-SLIM (7546) or stop by A Slimmer You at 10300 49th St. N, Suite 211. Log on to www.aslimmeryou.us for more information.
