Caffeine, available in forms as widely variable as coffee, chocolate, over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions is one or the most widely used, completely legal drugs in the world.  As a drug, it is habit forming and produces physical and mental changes in all who use it.  It can linger in the body for anywhere from 12 to 20 hours.   

Specific symptoms caused by caffeine include nervous tremors, nervousness, anxiety, problems sleeping, and can eventually lead to persistent insomnia and a general lack of energy.  Studies have also linked caffeine intake to irregular heart rhythms, increased blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, heartburn from gastritis, esophogitis, peptic ulcers, digestive problems and cancer. 

Caffeine in the stomach constricts blood vessels (it does this all over the body), and, in high enough doses can induce vomiting.  Excess stomach acid and rebound acidity can also be caffeine induced.  Can you imagine the problems this could create in someone prone to stomach ulcers? 

Calcium and iron assimilation are inhibited by caffeine.  With the huge concern over osteoporosis, it makes sense that diet should be the first line of defence, and the omission of coffee/caffeinated beverages/foods from the diet is an excellent place to start. 

Caffeine is a stimulant.  It temporarily raises blood sugar by inducing insulin resistance for up to six hours , and, when the blood sugar crashes leaves one feeling lethargic and foggy.  This is known as hypoglycemia. Insulin resistance is a primary cause of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, increased LDL and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides. 

PMS and lumpy breasts (polycystic breasts) are made worse with caffeine intake. 

Memory can be affected by caffeine.  A study done at the University of North Carolina found that as little as one cup of coffee reduced short term memory.  (Maybe coffee and last minute cramming for exams don't go hand-in-hand.)  Caffeine has also been shown alter the strength of the mind when working with numbers.  People fed artificially caffeinated beverages in a double blind study were asked to do ‘arithmetic number processing’ questions.  They had significantly more errors than their non-caffeinated counterparts. 

Quitting all caffeine 'cold-turkey' is obviously the way to do it.  As many people know, it is easier to fight an addiction by quitting all at once rather than in dribs and drabs.  The headache that most people get is a common symptom that accompanies withdrawal, and it usually lasts only a few days.  (It may be controlled by using homeopathic preparations and or herbs.) 

Vitamins are sensitive things, in many cases.  Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is destroyed by caffeine.  This vitamin is necessary for a healthy immune system and the conversion of carbohydrates into energy in the nervous system and in muscles.  A deficiency of this vitamin can show up as reduced mental alertness, irritability, memory loss, confusion, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite, heart irregularities, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the extremities, tenderness in the calves, and burning sensations in the feet.  There are more serious symptoms, too, including heart failure, degeneration of the nerve endings, and death. 

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is another vitamin that is very sensitive to caffeine.  Pantothenic acid's roles in the body include immune support, metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, antibody production, adrenal gland support and nervous system maintenance.  Low B5 shows symptoms of decreased resistance to disease, depression, irritability, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, lack of co-ordination, weakness, malaise, insomnia, tremors, sweating, muscle soreness, irregular heart rhythms, and dermatitis. 

Caffeine Content of Foods and Drugs 

It is interesting to note that caffeine in prescription medications carries several warnings (as listed below and taken from the1995 edition of Complete Guide to Prescription and Non-prescription Drugs.)  Many people consume far more caffeine in their diets than is safe considering the contra-indications. 

Don't take it if:

- you are allergic to any stimulant

- you have heart disease

- you have active peptic ulcer of stomach or duodenum

 Before you start, consult your doctor if:

- you have irregular heartbeat

- you have hypoglycemia

 - you have epilepsy

-  you have high blood pressure

 - you have insomnia

 Over age 60:

Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

 Pregnancy:

Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits.  Don't use.

 Breast-feeding:

Drug passes into milk.  Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. 

 Infants & children:

Not recommended.

 Prolonged use:

Stomach ulcers.

 Discontinuing:

Will cause withdrawal symptoms of headache, irritability, drowsiness. 

 Others:

May produce or aggravate fibrocystic disease of the breast in women.

Considering these side effects, it really makes sense that no one, regardless of age, should use caffeine bearing foods or beverages on any kind of a regular basis.

Judith Cobb

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