Here are a few things that we were once told were good for us that turned out to be dangerous and even deadly. I’m willing to bet we can add GMO’s to the list too. Problem is that by the time we find out, it will be too late. Check these out and let me know if you agree.
Remember “Vitamin Donuts” from 1942. How about the Ovaltine ad from 1947? It is mind boggling. It advertised all of the nutritional perks packed into two glasses of powdered milk. I find this very similar to the many supposed health benefits contained in drinks like Gatorade, Red Bull, Power Ade, Monster Energy, Vitamin Water or Gatorade.
Remember when Dutch Boy advertised having fun with their “Lead Family” of paint products? This one came out in a brochure in 1923 emphasizing how kids could have fun. Lead family – are you kidding me? That is like inviting me to have fun with the chain saw family. How about enjoying an afternoon with the rat poison family. The powers that be knew about the harmful affects of lead for many years yet it wasn’t until 1977 that it was finally banned.
In the 1950 we were told that 7-Up would help babies grow up strong and fit. We were even given instructions for mixing this sugary pop with equal parts of cold milk. They said it would create a “delicious blended food drink”! Can you say diabetes?
When I was young, it seemed that everyone smoked. It was difficult to avoid. You smoked in restaurants, hospitals, elevators, automobiles, public functions, at home, on TV and in the doctor’s office. Actors, presidents, teachers, healthcare works, store clerks, factory works, wait staff, and even librarians smoked. “More doctor’s smoked Camels than any other cigarette” right? In those days, doctors were revered. They had offices next to God. We did anything the good doctor told us to do. As this Chesterfield ad stated, they had “scientific evidence on the effects of smoking”. I promise you they weren’t telling us how bad they were. And even if they knew, they wouldn’t tell us.
Now this one really got to me. I’m willing to bet that no male species of the human race ever used Lysol internally or even got it near his genitals. But this 1948 ad touted the internal use of Lysol as a marriage saver. They called it domestic bliss. They stated that Sue and Tom now lived in a “heavenly” state in their home thanks to Sue’s doctor telling her to douche with Lysol! Again, in those days you didn’t question your doctor. If your doctor said to douche with Lysol always for feminine hygiene, you did it. I’m thankful my mother didn’t share this little ditty with me.
Remember the DuPont ads showing babies wrapped in cellophane? The stork was a stretch but the cellophane seemed like a good option for wrapping most anything. In 1954, who knew that babies would suffocate from this marvelous DuPont product? If you did this today, you would be locked up for child abuse.
In the 40’s and 50’s the food fads for keeping your body trim were no different than they are today. Even back then, corporate America was pushing their products and telling us how good they were for us. These ads, from the American Meat Institute must be accurate right? Eating red meat is nutritious enough to eat it every day and processed meats preserved with nitrates are just “platters full of protein”. Let’s pile that wonderful protein high on that processed white bread we were told was so nutritional and chow down!
Don’t ever tell anyone that their health issues are their own fault OK? In the late 60’s, sugar was touted as the willpower wonder according to the ad sponsored by “Sugar Information”, whatever the heck that is. You were told to have a soft drink before your main meal and to snack on some candy about an hour before lunch. Who knew back then that it would be found to be more addictive than cocaine and heroine? How’s that willpower working for ya?
You have to love the roaring 1920’s ad for a healthy glow. Why bother going to your local doctor or beauty salon for a little pick-me-up when you can get zapped in the privacy of your own home. The good news is that you could use it for 10 days and it wouldn’t cost you a penny. I wonder what the expenses were in trying to heal from the damaging affects of this medical wonder.
Now, this has to be the mother of them all. It is a wonder any of us are living. We are medical miracles for sure. This 1946 ad claims that “exhaustive scientific tests have shown that, when properly used, DDT kills a host of destructive insect pests and is a benefactor of all humanity”. The ad further claims “to make healthier more comfortable homes” and “that dairy cows would be protected from the annoyance of many insects with DDT insecticides like Knox-Out Stock and Barn Spray”. Do you know that in 1962, a book called Silent Spring, written by Rachel Carson, a biologist, was published? It detailed the environmental impact of spraying DDT in the USA and questioned the logic in using this potentially dangerous chemical without sufficient understanding of its effects on human health and ecology. The book further stated that DDT and other similar chemicals were a threat to wildlife. Dah ya think this could be one of the reasons our bee population is dwindling? How about the fact that the USA spends more $$$ on health care than any other nation and we are the sickest. DDT was banned for agricultural use in the USA in 1972. Buyer beware; so much for Penn Salts service to industry, farm and home. Now let me sum this up by stating that Monsanto is one of the companies that originally manufactured DDT. Do you see where history is repeating itself? Monsanto is now putting GMO’d food on store shelves without knowing the long term ramifications. Monsanto is also spending millions of dollars trying to stop us from knowing what foods are genetically modified and which ones are not. Sounds like history repeating itself don’t ya think? The definition of insanity; doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Stand up and be a part of the solution and help stop the insanity before it is too late. Your children and their children will thank you. Be a legacy for all to remember.
Love and great health to all.
Coach D, Donna Appel
A Voice For Change
