Got Love?Okay, I'll admit I'm probably not the best person to peddle advice on this subject, but with February 14th being Valentines Day, I thought I'd let you in on a fantastic gift idea. It seems that we are always competing to give the sweetest chocolate, the biggest bouquet or the shiniest diamond on Cupid's special day, when what we should be focused on is giving a piece of our heart. That's what the occasion is all about isn't it? Love and special thoughts, right?
This year, instead of trying to buy something perfect for that special someone, try putting your money where your mouth is. Tell him or her how you FEELabout them. If you LOVE someone - tell them. If you think someone is GREAT - tell them. If someone does the Snoopy dance through your dreams on a nightly basis - stand at a safe distance, keep your hands where they can see them - and say it. It's truly the perfect gift…doesn't cost a dime, but is so very valuable.
God gave us the ability to not only FEEL love, but to SHARE it. Don't keep the special feelings that you have for someone all bottled up, guarded and hidden. Unfortunately, that true, once-in-a-lifetime, unable to catch your breath type love is a rarity in this world. If you think you've found it, stop wasting time by waiting for that perfect moment, or a preferred set of circumstances. If it is…it is. Consider yourself blessed.
Sure you run the risk of looking a little bit silly or turning as red as a Valentines rose, but look on the bright side…How silly was it going through life keeping it a secret? Life is short. Things happen. None of us are promised a tomorrow. Say what you have to say; you'll never regret it.
At the absolute minimum, you'll make a person feel fantastic. There probably aren't too many things in this world that feel better than finding out that another person holds you in the highest regard. And who knows…maybe the object of your affection was looking for a dance partner.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYBODY!
As you may have heard, the FDA is close to approving an over-the-counter version of the fat blocking drug orlistat. If drug manufacturers have their way, the FDA will clear the drug for non-prescription (or rather, non-policed) sale by the end of this year.
Orlistat, more commonly known by its prescription name, Xenical, was first approved for medical use back in 1999. Touted as a “fat blocker”, orlistat attaches itself to the fat digesting enzyme lipase, preventing excessive fat absorption. Unabsorbed fat is then voided through the gastrointestinal tract (use your imagination). Studies indicate that orlistat is successful in blocking about one-third of any ingested fat (along with a hefty volume of fat soluble vitamins), accounting for a deferral of approximately 150-200 calories.
On the surface, Xenical appears to be an example of the “magic pill” that this country has been yearning for. But you know what they say about something sounding too good to be true… it usually is. While orlistat has shown promise in a closely regulated medical environment, making it available without a doctor's prescription could open up a whole new can of worms. Modern miracle, or another gag in the dietary supplement industry's already overstuffed bag of tricks?
• Research trials were limited to a MAXIMUM of six months. If orlistat were to be sold over-the-counter, package labeling would recommend the same period of use, however, there would be no way to police the product. In addition, user screening would be very difficult to enforce. Are we really trying to solve a problem, or are we just giving anorexics, bulimics and/or teenagers with self-image issues another tool to add to their health-destroying arsenal?
• Patients who discontinued orlistat use displayed a progressive weight GAIN. Surprising? Not really. Successful long-term weight loss is associated with a change in behavior and permanent lifestyle modification. Patients who lost weight by using orlistat alone changed few, if any factors in their lives that led to their personal weight problems. Continue to do what you have always done and you will continue to get, well… you know the rest.
• Even magic pills have a price. Common side effects include (reported in approximately 50% of users): Urgent and frequent bowel movements, incontinence, gas and oily discharge. Nice! And remember…you're paying for this. You may want to throw a box of adult diapers into your shopping cart as well.
• HALF the dose. The over-the-counter version would contain only 50% of the orlistat that is present in prescription Xenical. Does that make you feel any better about your teenager getting their paws on it? I didn't think so. Plus, remember the first few rules of successful marketing.
- IDENTIFY YOUR AUDIENCE. (That was easy).
- CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT. (Even easier).
- MAKE SURE THEY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT. (Not as hard as it seems).
A lower dosage could translate into users either taking more than is recommended or staying on the product for longer, neither of which is an encouraged option. What more than likely WILL result is long-term dependency, which leads us to the next point…
• The buck STARTS here. Projections estimate that anywhere from 5-6 million Americans would purchase a diet-aid like Xenical if it were made available for non-prescription sale. That translates into approximate revenues totaling 1.5 BILLION dollars per year. And these estimations are based on a single product. Just imagine how much money could be generated by a product package including orlistat “juiced” snack bars and “spiked” nutritional beverages.
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