The Health Guru

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China selling “lean” pork meat tainted with Clenbuterol

Posted on | September 1, 2011 | No Comments

"Lean" Pork.. At what cost??

"Lean" Pork.. At what cost??

Recent news has emerged that seven more people have been jailed in China for selling pork containing the banned chemical (clenbuterol) that makes the pork leaner but is harmful to humans.

What is Clenbuterol? Clenbuterol is a steroid like substance, but not a steroid. It falls into a group of drugs known as beta-2-agonists. Clenbuterol shares similarities with stimulant drugs such as adrenalin and amphetamines that increase heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration. Clenbuterol was initially developed for horses as a bronchodilator for the treatment and alleviation of symptoms of equine asthma.

Why was it put into pork to make it leaner? Unfortunately, Clenbuterol is popular amongst athletes in the field of body-building, endurance and power sports who use it as a performance-enhancing drug as it builds muscle (anabolism) and drops body fat (catabolism). Even worse, it’s made its way into weight loss drugs in Hollywood for it’s slimming effects.

Clenbuterol Short-term Side-effects: There have been no scientific studies completed on humans consuming this substance, most side effects have been determined from eating clenbuterol tainted meat. Side effects include: Muscle cramps, Hypertension (increased blood pressure),
Increased heart rate, palpitations, insomnia, dry mouth,
 vomiting, tremors (shakiness especially marked in hands), anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, headaches, breathing difficulties, sweating.

Use as performance-enhancing drug: It most recently has been brought to media attention in 2010 when three cyclists were also accused of taking the drug, one of which was three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Spain who served a 1 year suspension which was later lifted.

Fact or Fiction? I’ll let you be the judge concerning athletes. In my opinion, let horses be horses any which way you like to look at it.  The good news, there are now testing kits available to test all meat for traces of this banned substance which is going to be the best bet against not consuming this nasty stuff.

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  • ShoutBox

    Last Message
    9 hours, 1 minute
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    • Info : Please, resolve the addition below before post any new comment...
    • Health Guru : Thanks for the Thunder Tea Rice tip... I haven't eaten for ages - will go try it.
    • Guest_2263 : Hi Natalie, you need to check out Organic Thunder Rice in Bishan Bus Interchange. Cheers
    • Guest_4579 : please update..its years away now and theres a new version in the market as well.
    • Guest_2834 : Please update... :)
    • Guest_3832 : do u advocate low carb/keto dieting?

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