Michael Rosenthal

(6/2023) I’ve written before about food supplements. Some are useless, some are harmless, and some are dangerous. Consumer Reports published an article recently on food supplements that is a good update on what supplements are not only of no value but are risky to health. These findings are the result of consultation with a panel of experienced doctors and researchers, and written by Lisa L. Gill. One generality that arose was the finding that risk increases with a larger dosage and the longer the supplement is taken. Unapproved or illegal ingredients should be watched or, such as tianeptine, methylsynephrine and phenibut. I am going to summarize the findings here as stated in Consumer Reports by Lisa Gill.

Chaparral, also called creosote bush, greasewood, Larrea divaricate, Larea tridentata, or larreastat. It is claims to benefit weight loss, ease inflammation, and treat colds, infections, rashes, and even cancers. It has been found to cause kidney problems and liver damage.

Coltsfoot, also called coughwort, Farfarae folium leaf, foalswort, or Tussilageo farfara claims to relieve cough, sore throat, laryngitis, bronchitis, and asthma. It has been found to be a possible carcinogen and may cause liver damage.

Comfrey, also known as blackwort, bruisewort, slippery root, or Symphytum officinale claims to relieve cough, heavy menstrual period, stomach problems, chest pain, and has been a cancer treatment. It has been found to be potential carcinogen itself and can cause liver damage.

Germander, also called Teucrium chanaedrys or Teucrium viscidum, claims to benefit weight loss, alleviate fever, arthritis, gout, and stomach problems. It is found to cause liver damage or hepatitis in some cases.

Greater celandine, also called celandine or Chelidonium majus, claims to alleviate stomach ache but may cause liver damage.

Kava, also known as ava pepper, kava kava, or Piper methysticum, claims to ease anxiety and help achieve sleep. Potential harm includes liver damage, exacerbation of Parkinson’s Disease, and impairs vehicle driving.

Lobelia, also called asthma weed, Lobelia inflata, vomit wort, or wild tobacco, claims to help respiratory problems, and support smoking cessation. Potential harms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, confusion, seizures, hypothermia, and coma.

Pennyroyal oil, also called Hedeoma pulegioides, and Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal oil, also called Hedeoma pulegioides or Mentha pulegium, claims to improve breathing problems and digestive disorders. Potential harms include liver and kidney failure, nerve damage, and convulsions.

Usnic acid, also called beard moss, tree moss, or usnea claims to benefit weight loss, and offer pain relief. Potential harm is liver injury.

Yohimbe, also called Johimbi, Pausinytalia yohimbe, yohimbine, or Corynanthe johimbi, claims to benefit low libido and erectile dysfunction, depression and obesity. Potential harms include raising of blood pressure, rapid heart rate, headaches, seizures, liver and kidney problems, heart problems, and panic attacks.

I like to report on the energy sources used to generate electricity for our region as reported periodically by Potomac Edison. In the report for 2022, gas provided 40.08 percent of our energy. Nuclear sources produced 32.69 % of our energy, and coal provided 20.16 % of our energy. The total renewable energy provided was only 6.76%. Smaller amounts of energy were provided by non-renewable fuel cells, oil and renewable energy such as captured methane gas (.21%), hydroelectric (.99%), solar energy (1.11%), energy from solid waste (.48%), wind (3.79%) and energy from wood and other biomass (.19%).

Also reported are air emissions, in units of pounds per megawatt-hour of electricity generated. Not surprisingly the major emitter is carbon dioxide at 810.84 pounds per megawatt hour of electricity generated followed by 0.44 pounds per megawatt-hour of sulfur dioxide and 0.33 pounds per megawatt-hour of electricity generated of nitrogen oxides.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which may contribute to global climate changes. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react in the atmosphere to form acid rain. Nitrogen oxides also react to form ground level ozone, a component of smog.

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California has once again taken the lead in seeking carbon neutrality by moving to eliminate gas-burning power plants. This matter was reported in the Washington Post on November 17, 2022. The state is moving toward finding ways to discourage power plants that burn gas. It is not clear to me whether the ban is still in the works or has been instituted, but there is definitely the strong feeling in California that would support the ban on construction of new gas-burning power plants. If this is successful, planet warming emissions could fall some 85 percent below their 1990 levels! Governor Gavin Newsom favors the proposal, comparing it in magnitude to the industrial revolution. Agreement with the plan has not been unanimous, some people feeling it was too risky and others not confident it was strong enough. One of the things that slows down such advances is a fear of blackouts.

Proposals have been made to build new battery systems that can store energy during the day to use at night if blackouts occur, especially on hot summer nights. There seems to be agreement that the old plants will remain in operation, but a ban would be introduced for construction of any new natural gas plants, even those with a more modern technology that would reduce emission. There has also been a ban on new sales of natural gas heaters. There is not any proposal to close down all gas burning operations, as it would be too much of an impact on day-to-day life. The plan would prevent new applications utilizing natural gas to be implemented. In principle I certainly agree with a plan to eliminate gas-burning as a source of energy. Implementation the plan will however require patience and cooperation and technological innovation.

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