Del Monte Fit N' Right

L-Carnitine is a substance that is naturally occurring in the body. It helps convert fatty acids into energy needed by for a healthy heart, important body functions and physical activities. Supplementary L-Carnitine may contribute to optimal fat oxidation, and along with proper diet and regular exercise, may also promote a healthy body weight.

That is printed on the label of Del Monte Fit N' Right juice drink. With a number of beverages sold in the market as health drinks, this may actually be one. You get to choose from three flavors: apple, pineapple and four seasons. The brand boasts of its L-Carnitine content, saying that having 3 servings of the juice and with a proper diet and exercise, a high 16% body fat reduction can be achieved.

The key elements are proper diet and exercise; not L-Carnitine. There is no scientific evidence that it can improve weight loss.* Still it has a number of studies showing some health benefits especially for the cardiovascular system. The drink is reasonably priced so I'd rather buy it than other beverages that are mainly sugar dissolved in water. Speaking of sugar, maybe Del Monte can make a sugar-free version of the drink. Just a thought.

* from the University of Maryland Medical Center

14Aug2014 Update:
There has been research that L-carnitine can contribute to atherosclerosis.

SMS Scam

“Congrat! the Last 4digits of Ur SIM#Had Won A P500,00! +NOKIA 6600 IN Our Raffle Draw!Call me Now!4More INFORMATION! i’m ROY LOPEZ. DTI-Permit# 3946″

I got that message last Sunday from unregistered number (+639065885304). I’m a Globe subscriber. I know Globe usually uses special 4 digit numbers in their promo. I also know that Globe would compose their message properly. Clearly someone out there is trying to scam me and I guess others as well.

My dad, a Smart subscriber, has been a victim for of this kind of scam. He was asked for his bank account number. He was told to buy prepaid cards worth around P5,000. He was then asked to send the PIN of the prepaid cards. Only after will he receive the prize money deposited in his bank account. Stupid as it may sound, my dad took the bait.

Recalling that incident, I cursed the sender in my reply and told him/her that I already traced his location. I of course don’t have the resources to do that. What I can do is to warn other people against this kind of scam.

I wonder what the mobile networks are doing to help protect their subscribers from this. They could at least inform the public to beware of this kind of scam. I’d appreciate that kind of message from the network compared to the numerous promo advertisement they sent me thru SMS! They should also inform the consumers what to do to help catch these criminals.

Of course they might not do it since they don’t really get that much pay-off from all their efforts. What will they get from it anyway? It’s all about the profit. Unless they can make this a profitable endeavor, we can expect any help nor protection from our mobile networks.

Don’t be a victim of such scam. Check the promo permit number if it was really approved by the Department of Trade and Industry thru telephone numbers 811-8231 to 33 local 1216.