I was directed to a site called Men's Best. It began discussing this safe alternative to steroids. It wasn't long before I realized this was an ad disguised as a men's health site. That's fine... as long as the information is credible. It was, in fact, giving a glowing review about a product called Force Factor that purportedly uses Nitric Oxide to boost muscle growth. I was reading with interest but at some point my brain went, "wait a minute... I don't know about that." Here is that point:
Nitric Oxide is produced naturally by your body when you work out, so you know it is safe.
Oh really? What if I replace the subject with Carbon Dioxide? Really? This is called the soft and sleazy sell. "Oh, well your body produces this for making your muscles work better and harder... so you know it's got to be good for you!"
So, my natural sense of diligence kicked in. Over to Wikipedia I went and guess what I read about Nitric Oxide? Oh stop guessing, here it is:
Nitric oxide (common name) or nitrogen monoxide (systematic name) is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of mammals, including humans, and is an extremely important intermediate in the chemical industry. It is also an air pollutant produced by cigarette smoke, automobile engines and power plants.
NO is an important messenger molecule involved in many physiological and pathological processes within the mammalian body both beneficial and detrimental. Appropriate levels of NO production are important in protecting an organ such as the liver from ischemic damage. However sustained levels of NO production result in direct tissue toxicity and contribute to the vascular collapse associated with septic shock, whereas chronic expression of NO is associated with various carcinomas and inflammatory conditions including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
Force Factor is apparently loaded with this stuff. Still thinking about trying it? But then... who do say is right? Maybe Wikipedia got it wrong. It's not impossible. Maybe there's more to this Nitric Oxide idea than meets the eye. My gut reaction was to the soft-sell, of course... the "Oh you know it's good for you because your body naturally produces it."
Please... stop patronizing us advertisers. Talk to us like people, damnit... not like children. If you're going to talk about something that can easily be researched via the largest collection of information of all time, give us ALL the information yourself... not just part of it. Those who have gone before me weren't afraid to call bullshit on something that didn't sound right... I'm not afraid either.
Really people... diligence is important.
Peace,
Jenna
