Harmful ingredients within protein shakes Essay

Harmful ingredients within protein shakes - Essay Example Protein shake is a mixture of a powdered form of protein with water, juice, or milk. Bodybuilders consume this mixture after or before practice to supplement their diets increase the protein levels in the body. Bodybuilders usually require high levels of protein to achieve maximum muscle growth. The exact amount of protein, that an athlete is uncertain, and usually left for the user to decide the desired amount. The protein powder is, in variety flavors, to suit the different users. Protein shakes are a popular source of protein since it is directly absorbed into the body. However, the levels of nutrients found in it may not be in the amount exactly required. Different people require different levels of nourishment needs. For example in the human structure, women require more iron as compared to men. In studies conducted and reported by independent laboratories in United States, popular brands of protein shakes prove to contain higher than the recommended levels of heavy metals. The law recommends a minimum of fifteen, five, ten, and fifteen micrograms per day of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury levels respectively. This shows that a majority of the brands of powder shakes are a threat to the health of their users (Coleman, 2008). Cadmium is one of the extremely poisonous metals. Thus, even very small traces of cadmium present in the body can cause severe damage in the body. Usually this metal is majorly in industrial work places. Just a small exposure to it may result to symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle ache. With an increase in cadmium exposure, it causes respiratory damages such as pneumonitis, trachea-bronchitis, and pulmonary edema. Cadmium poisoning too affects other internal organs such as kidney and bones (Avedon, 2007). Another heavy metal present in a majority of the protein shakes is lead. Lead accumulates in the body leading to severe emergency symptoms. Medical experts show that even low levels of lead if present in a child may hinder a child’s mental and body development. In addition, lead is more dangerous to children as compared to adults. Some of the complications because of lead poisoning include; kidney damage, hearing problems, hindering body growth, reduced levels of IQ, and behavior problems. Its symptoms include headaches, anemia, irritability, low appetite, abdominal pain, and cramping (Shamy, 2013). As mentioned above, mostly children are vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning. Administering protein shakes to children can lead to disaster in children development. In 2005, a study published in pediatrics’ journal found that protein shakes is common to individuals between the ages of twelve and eighteen. This shows a majority of children gain higher protein levels by use of protein shakes (Massie, 2012). High levels of arsenic in the body lead to arsenic poisoning. At early stages of the condition, the victims suffer headaches, drowsiness, confusion, and severe diarrhea. Lungs, skin, l iver, and kidneys are the major internal organs that suffer the wrath of arsenic poisoning. Very high levels usually lead to night blindness. In some cases, the victim slips into a coma and finally dies. High arsenic levels are not good for the body making protein shakes a threat to its user (Sewell, 2013). Mercury is a heavy metal, whose exposure results to hydrargyriasis. Having different symptoms from

Energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia Research Paper

Energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example The paper tells that Saudi Arabian government has become adequately aware about the need to depend more on renewable forms of energy instead of fossil fuel. Though the nation is abundant in oil that ensures cheap availability of energy; the economic, environmental, and social consequences of a total reliance on fossil fuel have become obvious through various studies. Also, the Saudi Arabian terrain proved itself rich in renewable sources like solar and wind energy. The harnessing of such alternative sources poses various challenges because of their higher cost of production and fluctuating nature. Because of their fluctuating nature, it has become necessary to store them for future use. Thus, the article by Rahman et al looks into the present day energy sector in Saudi Arabia and the geographical and environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia to introduce various storage systems that are currently available. Rahman et al write the article with a complete understanding of the energy sec tor of Saudi Arabia. The article acknowledges the shortcomings of the present day energy storage systems and the need to store renewable energy in Saudi Arabia. Though there are certain advancements in the storage of energy, the growth has not been sufficient to meet the demands. Quoting Lee and Gushee, the scholars point out that if renewable energy has to become an important part of base load dispatchable power; and, it should develop the capacity for massive electricity storage. In order to assess the usability and challenges of using various storage systems in Saudi Arabia, the first factor taken into consideration is the climatic condition. It is pointed out by the scholars that batteries are highly sensitive to weather conditions such as ‘temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and wind speed’ (ibid). Saudi Arabia possesses a desert climate with extreme heat during the day and cold at night. Inconsistent rainfall and significant variation in temperatur e and humidity also makes the climate of the region unique. Thereafter, the scholars look into the energy supply and demand in Saudi Arabia. It is found that while Central Operating Area (COA) is considered, the maximum load during the day is 9725MW and the minimum load is 7290MW (Rahman, et al, 2012). Similarly, peak load occurs in the month of July and minimum load occurs in the month of January; and they are 9725MW and 2133MW respectively (ibid). Thus, Rahman, et al (2012) find that the average load remains below 8500MW for 16 hours in a day. So, the suggestion is that if EESS system can supply the load during peak hours, it can be charged during the off-peak hours. After acknowledging the fact that energy storage system in Saudi Arabia needs to meet all these requirements, the work looks into the major energy storage systems that seem useful in Saudi Arabia. The systems are divided into three categories based on their nature: mechanical systems, electrical systems, and chemical systems (Rahman, et al, 2012). The first mechanical system examined by the scholars is pumped hydroelectric energy storage. In this system water is pumped and stored at higher elevations. When required, this water is released onto a turbine to generate electricity. The second mechanical system is the flywheel that can generate uninterrupted DC power supply when coupled with innovative components. The third system is the compressed air energy system in which air is compressed and stored in a vessel during off-peak hours and then