Five-Hour Energy Linked to Heart Attacks, 'Spontaneous Abortion'

Yahoo! News ^ | 11/14/12 | Adam Clark Estes | The Atlantic Wire

[NormsRevenge]

You know those little vials of who-knows-what that TV bills as a healthier alternative to energy drinks. Turns out they might make you die. Or to be more specific, the flavored energy shot "has been mentioned in some 90 filings with the F.D.A., including more than 30 that involved serious or life-threatening injuries like heart attacks, convulsions and, in one case, a spontaneous abortion," according to a New York Times investigation.

...

Don't worry, 5-Hour Energy fans, Monster Energy drink is a culprit, too. Following a review of FDA records, The Times found that 5-Hour Energy was implicated in at least 13 deaths over the last four years, while Monster was cited in five deaths in a review last month. Both the paper and the FDA are careful to point out that correlation does not equal causation in these horrifying examples of pick-me-ups gone wrong. Nevertheless, we're pretty sure coffee will remain our stimulant of choice for the foreseeable future.

...

The scariest thing about the Times report isn't necessarily the threat of heart attack or spontaneous abortion. It's the fact that nobody really knows what's going on with energy drinks -- or in 5-Hour Energy's case "dietary supplements" -- that become implicated in fatalities. Even scarier, is that the companies making these potions know that it's happening. They're required by federal law to report cases that link their products to fatalities to the FDA. They don't want to talk about it either. "I am not interested in making any comment," Manoj Bhargava, the chief executive of Living Essentials, the company that makes 5-Hour Energy. (Go ahead and let the irony of that company name sink in.)

[Busywhiskers]

This talk about abortion is just a thinly disguised marketing ploy to sell more product to Democrats.

[Ladysmith]

I tried a bottle on someone’s advise to get through a day after insomnia. Never again! Felt like I was going through a stress test while already exhausted.

[stuartcr]

Probably not

[MarineBrat]

>>I’ll stick to coffee, I think it’s good for you this week.

ROFL! I love that.

[ThomasThomas]

You will find a higher correlation with people on the john and heart attacks.

[bgill]

I’ve never had one and don’t care to start now. The idea never made any sense and sounded dangerous from the beginning. I’m surprised it hasn’t caused more health problems years ago.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. I wouldn’t touch those ‘pep’ drinks.

I knew they were bad news from the start.

Some of the ways they advertised them made me cringe.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Some of the ways they advertised them made me cringe

Look what happened to "Old Reliable" Jim Furyk. He blew three final rounds this year (one the US Open). Jim also went bald.

[arthurus]

Vitamin B-12 does all that?

[Buckeye McFrog]

Spontaneous abortions?

So.....Obamacare requires the Catholic Church to pay for Five Hour Energy now?

[arthurus]

Sub lingual B-12 tabs. I worked nights only for 6 years. The first two years I was always fighting to stay awake and did not sleep well in the daytime. I discovered sublingual B-12 and started 500 units at the beginning of a work shift. It doesn’t “wake you up” as coffee does but several hours later I noticed that I was not nodding. Those hings let me turn my days around immediately and successfully. I stayed awake just fine at work and slept well in the daytime. Get them at Walmart.

[arthurus]

All it is is B-12 in a liquid form which is the most efficient way to take it after injection. Sports figures often take mega B-12 injections before games. It is legal, unlike steroids et al.

[headstamp 2]

The amount of alcoholics in supposed “recovery” I see drinking this type of crap is amazing.

I guess it enables them to work around the edges before they “go for the gold” again.

Then there is always some “Jungle Juice” to get started with.

[CommerceComet]

I agree. I wouldn’t touch those ‘pep’ drinks. I knew they were bad news from the start. Some of the ways they advertised them made me cringe.

Says the smug lady in the light blue pantsuit, patting an impressive stack of papers: "Ask your doctor. We've already asked three thousand!"

If you listen closely to the carefully hedged statement of the results, she actually tells us that of the doctors who actually responded and whose patients use energy drinks that 73% would recommend that their patients use a low-calorie energy drink. Some ringing endorsement, huh? In all likelihood, about 100% of those doctors would recommend that their patients NOT use any energy drink but 73% say if their patient is going to use them, then at least don't take on empty calories.

I don't know why the FTC doesn't force them to pull that advertisement - it seems so obviously deceptive.

[DoughtyOne]

Ouch.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with your take on this advertising tactic.

It would seem that the FTC should step in. I’m rather surprised the FDA hasn’t gotten involved.

I know people don’t like the FDA, and there are times when I have problems with it too.

None the less, these products are a bad idea.

The body gets tired for a reason. It needs rest. If you start over-riding that need, in time problems will result.

[Docbarleypop]

Ive used B-12 before rugby matches for 17 years and had injections for a few of those years. It didnt pep me up, but when I had to dig down to find extra reserves they were there. Now that I only play socially I drink a 5 hour energy before a match, I notice the caffiene kick in and it helps the rest of the time. Ive used ephedrine and other substances to give me a boost or an edge, 5hr doesnt make you crash like alot of the rest of them.

[Talisker]

I know people don’t like the FDA, and there are times when I have problems with it too. None the less, these products are a bad idea. The body gets tired for a reason. It needs rest. If you start over-riding that need, in time problems will result.

And that. my FRiend, is exactly what they want you to think - even though, as has been pointed out on this thread, the number of problems is statistically insignificant.

You ever look at the dangers of prescription meds? Do so. Really, I mean it - spend some time researching the massive coverup going on of deaths and injuries at huge statistical values of patients on prescription meds. If you do, you'll never be fooled by pap like this story again.

Look, everyone needs to understand that they aren't just going after herbs and spices (and why the HELL should they be able to do that?) - they're also trying to classify food itself as a drug - fruits, vegetables, meats. They're arresting milk producers with ZERO complaints with SWAT teams and smashing their equipment and siezing their computers and literally dragging these people off like they're murderers. And that's not all - they want to openly, flat-out own your body and everything you do with it. And if you still snort, then consider your children's future under such a regime. Can't happen here? LOL, look at the White House - is IS happening here.

[manic4organic]

It’s the Niacin that gives you a flush. My dad used to take that. I’d be more worried about the phenylalanine than the vitamins in 5-Hour.

[DoughtyOne]

I know people don’t like the FDA, and there are times when I have problems with it too. None the less, these products are a bad idea. The body gets tired for a reason. It needs rest. If you start over-riding that need, in time problems will result.

And that. my FRiend, is exactly what they want you to think - even though, as has been pointed out on this thread, the number of problems is statistically insignificant.

I realize that's a rational come back to what I have posted.  I would submit that all the data is not in yet.  If something causes flush and rapid heartbeat, you should seriously think about whether it's something you wish to use.  We're talking about your health and mortality here.  Is that really something you want to risk for a few hours of elevated energy?

When viewing statistics regarding these types of products, I want you to keep something in mind.  I reviewed claims of competing pharmaceutical houses for over 25 years.  At times there were three competing companies.  Each could provide studies to prove their product was safer, was better, and that the other firm's medications had problems that should cause me to avoid using their product.

I'm not addressing you with this, but there's an old saying, and there's more than a kernel of truth to it.  Liars figure and figures lie.    

You ever look at the dangers of prescription meds? Do so. Really, I mean it - spend some time researching the massive coverup going on of deaths and injuries at huge statistical values of patients on prescription meds. If you do, you'll never be fooled by pap like this story again.

Without realizing it, you have made my case here.    

I said I have problems with the FDA, and now you know one of them.  Now, do you honestly think only the meds approved by the FDA have problems like this?

Look, everyone needs to understand that they aren't just going after herbs and spices (and why the HELL should they be able to do that?) - they're also trying to classify food itself as a drug - fruits, vegetables, meats.

I agree.  I do not approve.  That does not mean there aren't problematic products that do need to be addressed.  Do we want the FDA to turn all vitamins and food additives into regulated items?  Absolutely not.  Does that then mean that we don't want them to monitor any vitamins for food additives?  I don't think so.

They're arresting milk producers with ZERO complaints with SWAT teams and smashing their equipment and siezing their computers and literally dragging these people off like they're murderers.

That's true.  I don't approve of it.  That still does not mean the product we're addressing here shouldn't be addressed.

And that's not all - they want to openly, flat-out own your body and everything you do with it.

That's true.  I don't approve of it.  That still does not mean the product we're addressing here shouldn't be addressed.

And if you still snort, then consider your children's future under such a regime.

Not exactly sure what you're advocating here.  I'll take a pass on a response.

Can't happen here? LOL, look at the White House - it IS happening here.

I'm addressing one energy drink.  I think it's reasoned to extrapolate that I would feel the same about others.  If you wish to object to my thoughts on this product or product line, that's okay.

I try to advocate for what I believe to be sound public policy.  I do think there are rational opposing positions.  So far I'm not moved to surrender my position and adopt yours.