"Supplements...Here We Go Again!"
by Pam Archer
February, 2002

I am amazed at how many people still buy into the diet pill frenzy and the use of "natural" products to metabolize fat. Have they not heard? Have they not read the REAL research? Do they not know that Ephedra has been banned in many places due to it's contribution to fatalities and permanent disability? 

In a recent research report, published in the March, 2001 edition of IDEA SOURCE magazine, it clearly warns us of the use of these products. It states that "In light of recently reported adverse events related to these products (ephedra alkaloids, also know as 'ma huang'), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed limits on their dosage and duration of use. Investigators from the Division of Pharmacology and Department of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco and from the California Poison Control System reviewed 140 reports of adverse events related to the use of dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids." 47% of the related adverse events involved cardiovascular symptoms and 18% involved the central nervous system. Hypertension was the most frequently reported adverse effect. Ten events resulted in death and 26% resulted in permanent disability. For more information on ephedra and other dangerous drugs, go to http://www.tncahf.org.

Pam is the owner of Archer Fitness Consultants, Inc. in Kingsport, Tennessee. She is Co-Host of the "Jenny's Fit In 15" TV show on The Health Network. She has produced six exercise videos and starred in seven. Pam travels extensively training and certifying group fitness instructors for The Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and The American Council On Exercise (ACE). She has been a guest on many TV shows, including Canada's Breakfast Television, and Real Life. She has appeared in numerous commercials for Wellmont Wellness Center in Bristol, Tennessee and was the host of Friday Fitness Tips on WCYB-TV 5. . Her fitness related articles have been published in American Fitness and IDEA Source magazines as well as numerous newsletters, including her own, Archer Fit Press. She has appeared in Good Housekeeping and Ms. Fitness magazines as well. Pam is a fitness consultant to the Kingsport Times News newspaper and to WCYB-TV 5, an NBC affiliate.

She has been a Group Exercise leader for over thirteen years and has been an instructor at Wellmont Wellness Center, in Bristol, TN, since 1991, where she specializes in senior fitness. She is a Continuing Education Provider for AFAA and ACE and has trained hundreds of instructors all over the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. She was a presenter at World Fitness IDEA in 1996 and 1997 and will be the Master Presenter for The University of Georgia Fitness Conference, 2001.

Pam is passionate about promoting health and fitness to people of all ages, sizes and body types. She teaches continuing education seminars, appears at health fairs, speaks to church, school and civic groups. She believes that fit and healthy comes in all shapes and sizes and that it is never too late to get into shape. 

Pam is married to Charles Archer and the mother of three children. She and Charles are active in community activities and live in Kingsport, TN. 

AFAA & ACE certified Group Fitness
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor
AFAA Certified Resistance Training Specialist
AFAA Certified Step Aerobics and KickBoxing
Certified BodyPUMP Instructor
AFAA Senior Specialty Training

You may visit Pam on-line at
http://www.archerfitness.com or e-mail her at pam@archerfitness.com

Tip for the Group Fitness Instructor:
Talk about a health issue during the strength portion of your classes workout.

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