Demi Lovato has made a name for herself as a body-positive activist. The singer-actress, who has been open about battling bipolar disorder and bulimia, regularly posts photos and messages to fans on social media about the importance of loving onesbody.
Photo: demilovato/Instagram
Thats why so many of her fans are upset about a recent Instagram post in which Lovato promotes a detox tea.
This year is all about#selflove, Lovato wrote in the post. Truly taking care of myself and exercising has changed everything for me. @teamiblendshas#sponsoredmy 30 day detox challenge to help get rid of toxins and my bloating for summer. Im on Day 7 right now & its so easy! I just drink their tea every single day in my favorite purple tumbler. I love taking it to shoots and the studio with me. She also offered up a promo code so that fans could save 20 percent off the product.
Reaction from fans was swift, and it wasnt positive. Many pointed out that Teami Colon, a tea made by the company, contains senna leaf, a laxative that has been cited by health officials for its potential to irritate thecolon. Teami also sells a tea called Teami Skinny that promises to help users lose weight quickly. Overall, fans expressed disappointment that someone who promotes a healthy body image would plug a product by a company that sells a weight-loss product, especially one thats unregulated.
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, dietary supplements including weight-loss and detox teas do not need approval from the Food and Drug Administration before theyre marketed or put on shelves. It is the companys responsibility to make sure its products are safe and that any claims made about such products are true, the FDA says on its website. Meaning, just because you can buy a product doesnt mean its safe or healthy.
Wow and you claim to be someone who [is] an advocate against eating disorders and someone who promotes body acceptance? This is disgusting, one follower wrote. Theres a SKINNY version of this tea, and for someone whos had an [eating disorder] to be promoting this is unacceptable, another said.
Eating-disorder experts agree that its not great for people who are already struggling with body image and their relationship with food to hear confusing messages from those they look up to. Trish Lieberman, RD, LDN, director of nutrition at the Renfrew Center of Philadelphia, an eating-disorders facility, tells Yahoo Beauty that people constantly hear mixed messages about food and weight in the media, and something like this just adds fuel to the fire. Celebrities have an important opportunity to positively influence how we experience body image, [and] when celebrities promote health products of any kind, they are having an influence on millions of people, she says. There is also the risk that people may assume a product is healthful when its promoted by a body-positive activist and not realize the potentially dangerous side effects.
Ashley Solomon, M.D., executive clinical director of Eating Recovery CenterinOhio, tells Yahoo Beauty that staying body positive is challenging, which is why its so important for celebrities and activists to promote a body positive message. We need examples in our culture of people whocelebrate body diversity and treat their bodies kindly, she says. When we see that those who we thought had areally healthy relationship with food and their bodies not demonstrating that ideal, it can be a hardblow [and] a lot of people will question if its even possible to live free of the pressures of our culture.
Read More
Soloman points out that even body positive activists feel societal pressure to look a certain way and, just like everyone else, they may stumble, too. Its areminder of the need to not only look to activists andcelebrities for inspiration, but to find that strength inside ourselves and to create our body-positivecommunities, she says.
Those who struggle with body acceptance, yo-yo dieting, and eating disorders are more vulnerable to messages promoted by detox teas and more likely to try them, Lieberman says. But theres a big risk in using these products. The use of detox teas can be a slippery slope leading to more extreme behaviors and negative side effects, she says. And, she points out, use of laxatives (even so-called natural ones like senna leaf) may cause dehydration, weakness, kidney damage, chronic constipation, and electrolyte imbalances affecting the heart.
New York-based registered dietitianJessica Cordingaffirms to Yahoo Beauty that detox teas are potentially dangerous, from both healthful-eating and health-safety perspectives. Theres always that risk that youre getting stuff in them thats potentially not safe, she says. Thats kind of scary. Detox teas and detoxes in general arent even necessary, she says. Your liver does a great job of processing things that you take in, Cording says. You dont need to detox your body does a great job for you.
Heather Senior Monroe, director of program development atNewport Academy,tells Yahoo Beauty that detox teas can also be harmful because they cantrigger disordered eating behaviors and body dysmorphia, especially in people who are already susceptible to them. Getting into a weight-loss mindset can lead back toward self-destructive habits, such as excessive dieting, over-exercising, anorexic tendencies, and/or bulimic patterns, she says.
Cording says shes especially upset that this promotion is coming from Lovato. Shes been really outspoken about her history with eating disorders and body challenges, and it bums me out to see her posting about a detox challenge, she says.
Lovato hasnt yet responded to the criticism.
Read more on Yahoo Style + Beauty:
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
Link:
People Are Outraged Over Demi Lovato Promoting a Weight-Loss Tea - Yahoo Health
