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2A – Daily News – Monday, March 14, 2011 Community people&events PALpromotions ‘Combo-pilling’ for weight loss a bad idea Courtesy photo Dokota Hansen and Haley Derose were promoted to Green Belt in Fudo Budo Kan Jujutsu on Monday, March 7, at their dojo. The dojo is located at 1005 Alta Vista Way, Suite C, across from Trainor Field. Fudo Budo Kan translates as "The House of Standing Your Ground" (against drugs, alcohol, tobacco, abuse, bullying, gangs and violence). Both students were also promoted to Black Belt of the month for their Black Belt attitudes towards training and towards school and home. They were both also required to produce their report cards. PAL Kickboxing is also located at the site. For hours and days for training contact PAL at 529-7900 or www.tehamaso.org. SECRET WITNESS 529-1268 A program of Tehama County Neighborhood Watch Program, Inc. Setting it straight –––––––– It is the policy of the Daily News to correct as quickly as possible all errors in fact that have been published in the newspaper. If you feel a factual error has been made in a news story, call the news department at 527-2153. While watching the news this morning, I was alerted to the prac- tice of "combo-pilling," taking sup- posedly unrelated medications together to produce more powerful results toward a desired outcome. Combo-pilling diet drugs went mainstream in the 1980s, with the pairing of phentermine and fenflu- ramine (later known as "fen-phen"). This pairing, as well as a commer- cial related version, was heralded as the first effective weight loss drug treatment. Later, when it was dis- covered that the commercial drug was associated with potentially fatal pulmonary hypertension and heart-valve problems, it was with- drawn from the market and the manufacturer was sued to the tune of more than ten billion dollars. Combo-pilling remains, in part because single diet drugs have not yielded the results many seek. After sibutramine (Meridia) was removed from market late last year, the only FDA-approved drug for treating obesity for more than a few weeks is orlistat. However, if dieters eat fat-heavy meals, the results are some less-than-pleasant side effects (oily stains on one’s underwear, being one). So combo-pilling continues. Of late, the blend of Topomax, an anticonvulsant approved for the treatment of epilepsy and migraines; and phentermine, the above referenced appetite suppres- sant, are making their way into the collective dieters’ consciousness. It appears that Topomax effectively "shuts off" the desire to eat. When combined with phentermine, the results can be downright staggering. I monitored some on-line discus- sion groups and found it not uncommon for participants to claim weight losses of four or five pounds a week for extended periods. (A healthy sustainable weight loss is considered to be one to two pounds per week.) Using medicine for what it is not intended is called "off-label" use. Although no official data exist as to the extent of this practice, a March 2009 study published in Obesity found that 65 percent of weight spe- cialists belonging to the American Society of Bariatric Physicians who responded to a survey do indeed prescribe "off-label" combi- nations. The practice is legal; in fact, according to a 2006 analysis in the Archives of Internal Medicine, approximately 20 percent of com- mon adult drugs are prescribed as such. (Since the drug is approved and on the market, physicians may use it as they see fit.) some who insist on doing "whatev- er it takes" to achieve their correct weight; consequences be damned. Said one post, "I started … one week ago and I've lost eight pounds already. I agree with the post above that this may not be ‘healthy’ weight loss, but being overweight isn't healthy either. If this gets me to a healthy weight, then so be it." Alarming, isn’t it? Scott Q. Marcus Of greater concern to me is not the threat of obe- sity, but that being over- weight is considered such a stigma and so abhorrent that some would literally risk life and limb to drop pounds. If it is indeed so vital to lose the weight, wouldn’t it seem like it might be important enough to rearrange one’s life to eat a less and walk a little more? It’s a slower process, yes; but the worst side effects in that situation are a growl- ing belly and sore feet. While some doctors are uncon- cerned, many are raising red flags, pointing out that these medical "cocktails" might be taken for years, causing long-term adverse interactions and unexpected side effects. Since the FDA is not moni- toring such usage, authorities might never find out about such problems; and even if they do, it could lead to catastrophic results for those exper- imenting with untested combina- tions. Referencing the aforementioned Internet discussions, the danger seems to be of little concern to About the author: Scott "Q" Marcus is a professional speaker and the CDO of www.ThisTimeIMeanIt.com, a website for people and organizations who are frustrated with making promises and are ready to make a change. Sign up for his free newsletter at www.ThisTimeIMeanIt.com or friend him at facebook.com/thistimeimeanit. He is also available for coaching and speaking engagements at 707.442.6243 or scottq@scottqmarcus.com. Corned beef D NEWSAILY HOW TO REACH US RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE VOICE OF TEHAMA COUNTY SINCE 1885 VOLUME 126, NUMBER 96 On the Web: www.redbluffdailynews.com MAIN OFFICE: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Main Phone (530) 527-2151 Outside area 800-479-6397 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080 ______________________ Mail: Red Bluff Daily News P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Subscription & delivery Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (530) 527-2151, Ext. 1 subscription rates (All prices include all applicable taxes) Monday through Saturday $9.59 four weeks Rural Rate $10.69 four weeks Business & professional rate $2.21 four weeks, Monday-Friday By mail: In Tehama County $12.29 four weeks All others $16.23 four weeks (USPS 458-200) Published Monday through Saturday except Sunday, by California Newspaper Partnership. Home delivery Fax: (530) 527-5774 ______________________ CUSTOMER SERVICE: NEWS News Tip Hotline: 527-2153 FAX: (530) 527-9251 E-mail: clerk@redbluffdailynews.com Daytime: Sports: Obituaries: Tours: (530) 527-2151 Ext. 109 Ext. 103 Ext. 112 After hours:(530) 527-2153 ______________________ ADVERTISING Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Display: 527-2151 Ext. 122 Classified: 527-2151 Ext. 103 Online (530) 527-2151 Ext. 133 FAX: (530) 527-5774 E-mail: advertise@redbluffdailynews.com SPECIAL PAGES ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS Mondays: Kids Corner Tuesdays: Employment Wednesdays: Business Thursdays: Entertainment Fridays: Select TV Saturdays: Farm, Religion Publisher & Advertising Director: Greg Stevens gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Editor: Chip Thompson editor@redbluffdailynews.com Sports Editor: Rich Greene sports@redbluffdailynews.com Circulation Manager: Kathy Hogan khogan@redbluffdailynews.com Production Manager: Sandy Valdivia sandy@redbluffdailynews.com POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: PO BOX 220, RED BLUFF CA 96080 newspaper of general circulation, County of Tehama, Superior Court Decree 9670, May 25, 1955 © 2011 Daily News Postage Paid Periodicals The Red Bluff Daily News is an adjudicated daily 90 years ago... ‘Brick’ Wilson’s Is Six Years Old Today is Morris (better known as Brick) Wil- son’s sixth birthday. He celebrated it by inviting a number of his little friends to go on a flower pick- ing expedition north of town. ... Those present to help ‘Brick’ celebrate were: Edward Gans, Chris- tel Ann and Frederick Godbolt, Mildred Combs, Valentine Brooks, Merilyn and Lois Bagley and Jesse Vern Wilson. —Daily News, March 14, 1921 SERRF Highlight Show The annual Safe Education and Recreation for Rural Families (SERRF) Highlight Show has been scheduled with one show in Corning and one in Red Bluff. The Corning show will be 6:30-8 p.m. on March 22 at Woodson School while the Red Bluff show will be 6:30-8 p.m. on March 24 at the Tehama District Fairground. Elkins/Flournoy, Kirkwood, Maywood, Olive View, Rancho Tehama, Richfield, Vina, West Street and Woodson will have booths at the Corning show. Antelope, Bend, Berrendos, Bidwell, Gerber, Jackson Heights, Lassen View, Los Molinos, Man- ton, Metteer, Plum Valley, Reeds Creek and Vista will be at the Red Bluff show. The public is invited to attend. and cabbage Fran Fazio, far left, and Rich Rodriguez, far right, enjoyed a corned beef and cabbage lunch Sunday prepared by the Los Molinos Women’s Club at the Cone Methodist Church in Dairyville. The meal included potatoes, carrots, green salad, french bread and a variety of desserts. Daily News photo by Chip Thompson P.A.W.S. (Partners for Animal Welfare & Safety) A Volunteer Program Dedicated to the Prevention of Litters, Not the Destruction of Unwanted animals. HOW CAN YOU HELP? CALL US! 528-8018 Please leave your number we WILL call you back P.O. Box 8908, Red Bluff CA 96080 P.A.W.S. SAYS... Spay/Neuter Request Date Set We will be taking requests for certificates ONE DAY ONLY on March 17th, St. Patricks Day. The procedure is as follows: 9am sharp March 17th, 528-8018 is only number to call that day for your request. ⁄2 • REMINDER: We will take our first call at • Please use redial until you get through. The one volunteer handling this reports that traditionally this moves quickly and seldom takes longer than 1- 11 with it. hours, so please stay • If you cannot call yourself, you may have a friend or family member call with your request and information. Please do not request a reservation before this scheduled offering. Thank you NEED TO FIND A HOME FOR A PET? Go to our web page: pawstehama.com select “links”. WANT TO FIND A PET? Go direct to petfinder.com SPACE DONATED IN THE INTEREST OF PETS AND PET LOVERS BY: D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY