Food Stamps & Phenylalanine

Here’s MY question: why is this pig drooling? Is Piggy Snax actually endorsing cannibalism? Edgy!

In an unprecedented move, today I will actually answer my own mail! Since I’ve taken up answering other people’s mail, I think some of you must have felt bad for me and decided to fill that void. As always, what would I do without all of you to make me think about the odd, the obscure and the downright nutty?

Food Stamps and Fatness
Question:
Is there a link between food stamps and obesity? Shouldn’t we make rules as to what people can use food stamps to buy?

Answer:
There certainly is a link between low socioeconomic status and obesity. So it is logical to conclude that since it is only the poor who use food stamps (a fact that my own experience disputes), then a rise in food stamp usage would correlate with a rise in obesity. Not true. Not in any of the many studies that I read examining the existing data, going back as far as the seventies. Although in typical numbers-tell-no-lies-but-reporters-sure-do fashion, different articles reported the same findings (an insignificant 0.3 rise in BMI for women on food stamps and none for men) with completely opposing titles. “Food Stamps and Obesity: Ironic Twist” goes head-to-head with “Hunger Hysteria: Food Stamps and BMI”

As for making rules as to what people can buy with their food stamps, I’m assuming you mean banning twinkies and giving them a free season pass to the produce aisle. And while I’m all for a twinkie-free world populated instead with organic pineapples (and please oh please Carmen Miranda!), aside from the obvious few, most foods are hard to categorize as “good” or “bad.” I mean, even Cookie Monster knows that cookies are a “sometimes food.” For instance, what if a person wants to use food stamps to buy a box of “made with whole grain” mac ‘n’ cheese? I would say that food is not healthy but I know plenty of moms that would beg to differ. Besides, even if it isn’t a healthy food, aren’t people allowed to choose their own diet? Even people living on charity?

DL-Phenylalinine
Question:
I’ve heard that DL-Phenylalinie is the new weight-loss supplement of choice – do you know anything about it?

Answer:
What?? Why on earth would people give up their horse tranquilizers and cocaine? They work so well!

That said, if you are really considering taking DL-Phenylalinine as a supplement there are a few things you should know (and I’m sure that Dr. J & Gena will have lots to add to my list!):
– DL-P is the synthetic form of a naturally occurring amino acid, meaning that everyone needs it and our bodies don’t make it so we have to get it somewhere.
– That somewhere however, doesn’t have to be pills. Phenylalinine, besides being the ingredient in aspartame that warrants all those PKU People WILL DIE warnings, occurs naturally in many foods like most animal and soy products as well as some nuts and seeds. (Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever met a phenylketonuric? I mean, I used to obsess about those warnings – like I do about all warning ’cause I’m like that – and then one day I realized that I have never met, nor even heard of someone with PKU.)
– DL-P is used to treat Parkinson’s Disease, vitiligo (weird white patches on your skin – no, not leprosy but did your mind just jump to that too? That’s it, no more bible before bedtime for me.), and depression. It turns out that it is a mild SSRI – kinda like prozac but, you know, in yogurt:)
– This is probably the answer you were actually looking for: no studies done by people other than the companies selling and making the supplements have shown any significant correlation between taking the supplement and weight loss. Sorry!
– Also, too much causes irrevocable nerve damage. I’d say “ouch” but you wouldn’t feel it anyhow.

In conclusion, I still kinda can’t believe that people actually trust me to answer questions but you know I get a huge rush out of it! Big wet kisses to the two intrepid souls who sent me these questions! So if any of the rest of you ever have a pressing question, I suggest sending it to someone qualified to answer it. But in the meantime I’d love to help you out! Just try mailing it to me in the a.m. as I get snarkier as the day goes on.

9 Comments

  1. I am astonished to hear that Phenylalinine could possibly be considered a weight loss supplement, is this a joke? (no, not joking, lol). I was surprised to learn about how dangerous it is when I researched it for a post last year and to hear this is quite surprising, But, I’m not surprised that it could get past the FDA, sadly.

    I really enjoyed reading your post, I heard about your blog on workoutmommy.com, keep up the great work! 🙂

  2. DL-phenylalanine, well. In a search of the hardcore research (from reputable universities and such, not drug companies), there is no mention of this compound and weight loss. Most of the studies indicate that it may help in pain reduction when taken with pain meds, but that appears to be highly debatable. Also in treatment of depression, but again, highly debatable and inconclusive.

    The only references to weight loss were from companies (unless you found something else, Charlotte) touting the compound as an appetite suppressant, but referred to no actual studies.

    Given the potential side effects and the lack of substantial research into it’s weight loss benefits, I’d say it’s a crock (yes, that’s a highly scientific term, crock). That and, why put even more synthetic things into your body? If I come across anything else, I’ll report back!

    As for the FDA, I seriously doubt it has FDA approval for any uses. Most weight loss drugs and nutritional supplements you buy at the local health store aren’t approved.

  3. Hey Jolynn! Thanks for coming on over – hope you stay:) And as for this being a joke, I’m quite sure the writer wasn’t kidding. It is certainly being advertised as such on the web. Although I’d never heard of it before.

    Gena – Sorry, my post was worded funny. The only studies I found talking about DL-P in conjuntion with weight loss were done by the people selling and/or marketing the stuff. I found nothing by anyone reputable. Although there were a couple of foot notes in research on plain phenylalinine that mentioned weight loss as a possible side effect of treating the depression. Thanks for your help! I knew you’d know more!!

  4. Can’t add anything to perfect! I still like the old system of fitness. Healthy diet and have a good time exercise!

    We’ve known what works best for quite a while. It’s just a matter of each person fine tuning it for his or her individual variations and goals.

    Dr. J

  5. You weren’t worded funny, I just didn’t know if you had found anything I missed.

    And thanks for stopping by my blog, hope you find something you like!

  6. My Ice Cream Diary

    I actually had someone tell me that their son was a phenylketonuric and couldn’t drink a certain soda. But that family seemed to have every ailment under the sun.

    That is a good, charitable way to look at the food stamp issue.

  7. This is not a difficult dilemma nor is it surprising that people on food stamps have a higher BMI. You can not feed anyone nutrious food for $27 per person per week. This is the current food stamp benefit amount.
    Well a 99 cent bag of chips and a pack of hot dogs will feed a family of four supper for only a couple of bucks, but if you are going to eat healthy such as chicken breast salad or any fresh fruits and veggies you are going to pay a premium. You cant do it. Food Stamps and Proper nutrition don’t go together when junk food is so much cheaper than fresh.

  8. Love your Phenylalinine post. I know it exists, but I too have never met or knew someone who knew someone with PKU.
    You are very funny. I like your posts.
    Thanks

  9. Thanks Liz! Glad you found me- I hope to see you around here more often:)