The Future is Here

Some people have expressed the idea that the world depicted in the book 1984 is very close to becoming a reality. With more and more surveillance cameras in public areas, security cameras in homes and businesses, and a camera in everyone’s purse or pocket, Big Brother is always watching.

But there is another way the sci-fi of the past is slowly becoming today's reality, meals in a pill. In many early science fiction novels, the hero never had to slow down to eat. Instead he would pop a pill with all the nutrients, and presumably calories, he needed to continue his mission of saving the universe without missing a beat.

This comes to mind whenever I see or hear an ad for one of those supplements specially formulated for people who don’t have the time or inclination to eat as many fruits and vegetables as they should. They simply go on line and buy a jar of powder or a bottle of pills and, for only about two dollars a day, they can continue their mission of saving their personal universe without missing a beet!

I have heard many customer reviews on the radio over the years and seen some on line as well. Some people seem fairly realistic in their expectations. They admit they are unable to eat enough fruits and vegetables daily, and they believe these products give them nutrition equivalent to what they are missing – although I can’t see much difference between these and an ordinary vitamin/mineral supplement. The only flaw in this thinking is that experts agree that the best way to get nutrition is by eating the actual food.

The companies explain that fruit and vegetables are mostly water. They remove the water and pack the “good stuff” into a bottle or jar. But there is more to a healthy diet than adding the water back and chugging it down. 

The problem is they don’t stop there. By posting the less realistic customer praise and endorsements, they imply that the imaginary benefits some of their customers report are real. This way they don’t run afoul of the FDA or FTC by making promises they can’t keep. But the endorsements imply some miracle power just the same, and they make no effort to deny it.

One company has customers claiming that by using the product, the family has not gotten any colds, aches and pains have gone away, conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia are no longer a problem, wounds are healing faster, “my hair and nails are growing like crazy,” pregnancy went more smoothly, “my thyroid levels [are] normal again,” blood pressure medicine is no longer needed, everyone can see the difference and everyone feels more healthy and has more energy.

Another brand has customers praising the before and after difference with comments such as: it “cut down on some of my inflammation,” “the congestion in my lungs was clearing up,” “my joints felt better,” it “cleared up lower intestinal discomfort,” and I have “more energy and just feel better."

One customer writes: “Haven't used it long enough for physical effectiveness yet” while another says the change came “almost immediately,” yet another felt a difference in “a couple hours.” Regardless of the time lag, it’s said to be life changing and, of course, awesome.

I’m not a big fan of supplements in general because they are unregulated, and customers have been known to get more, less or different ingredients than what’s on the label; but these particular ones seem like safe products from reputable companies. I suppose these supplements are good for people who unfortunately just can’t figure out how to get enough good food and are willing to pay extra for the convenience. But the ads can easily lead to unrealistic expectations. As one customer review put it: “I was about to order from another company but when it began making claims using people claiming they been cured from cancer and other health problems I decided not and chose this one instead.” He apparently didn't read very closely the similar reviews of the one he chose.