| Caffeine |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Acknowledgement to Molly Linton, ND of the Emerald City Clinic, Inc. PS for content included in the caffeine article.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY TM
Natural Health Center
Natural Health Center
ACTIONS:
Caffeine is a drug used by millions of people daily. Its stimulant qualities are known and are generally enjoyed by the people
who consume caffeine. Many people may experience undesirable effects of caffeine stimulation of the body and mind.
The following information on the effects and sources of caffeine is provided to help you and your clinician determine if there
is a level of caffeine consumption which is not detrimental to you.
General
Caffeine stimulates a person’s “fight or flight” reaction. Mental activity and feelings of alertness are increased and generally
the body is prepared for quick action. This is generally why caffeine is taken. These are the primary effects. However, “What
goes up must come down.” The down is the rebound of caffeine consumption which occurs after the last dose wears off
This is caffeine’s secondary effect. Symptoms of the secondary effect are generally those for which caffeine was consumed
for the first time. The rebound mental dullness, sleepiness and physical sluggishness may cause a person to desire
another dose. This is the cycle of stimulant use. The up and down cycles place excessive stress on the systems of the body
and can become addictive.
Some of the adverse primary effects of caffeine stimulation on specific body systems are listed below:
Central nervous system
Stimulation which can cause behavioral changes; insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, ringing in the ears,
muscular tremor, headaches, lightheadedness.
Cardio-vascular system
Rapid heart rate, irregular heat rate, palpitations, increased or decreased blood pressure, decreased blood flow to the
brain, cold hands and feet.
Digestive System
Increased gastric secretion, gastric irritation, ulcers, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and anal itching.
Immune system
Decreased immune function, decreased thymus gland size, decreased levels of circulating antibodies.
Urinary tract
Kidney and bladder irritation, diuresis, increased frequency of urination, burning on urination.
Secretory glands
Increased sweating, fibrocystic breast changes.
Metabolic
Increased blood lipids, increased or decreased blood sugar levels, pancreatic cancer, depletion of minerals and water
soluble vitamins and dehydration.
Reproductive
Caffeine is known to cross the placenta, the safety of caffeine exposure before birth is still unknown. Caffeine is passed
unchanged through breast milk and is known to contribute to nervous irritability of nursing infants, as well as the above-
listed symptoms.
Withdrawal
After discontinuing caffeine consumption, opposite (secondary) effects. as well as headaches may result for a short while
until the body re-equilibrates.
COMMON SOURCES OF CAFFEINE
Caffeine is a drug used by millions of people daily. Its stimulant qualities are known and are generally enjoyed by the people
who consume caffeine. Many people may experience undesirable effects of caffeine stimulation of the body and mind.
The following information on the effects and sources of caffeine is provided to help you and your clinician determine if there
is a level of caffeine consumption which is not detrimental to you.
General
Caffeine stimulates a person’s “fight or flight” reaction. Mental activity and feelings of alertness are increased and generally
the body is prepared for quick action. This is generally why caffeine is taken. These are the primary effects. However, “What
goes up must come down.” The down is the rebound of caffeine consumption which occurs after the last dose wears off
This is caffeine’s secondary effect. Symptoms of the secondary effect are generally those for which caffeine was consumed
for the first time. The rebound mental dullness, sleepiness and physical sluggishness may cause a person to desire
another dose. This is the cycle of stimulant use. The up and down cycles place excessive stress on the systems of the body
and can become addictive.
Some of the adverse primary effects of caffeine stimulation on specific body systems are listed below:
Central nervous system
Stimulation which can cause behavioral changes; insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, ringing in the ears,
muscular tremor, headaches, lightheadedness.
Cardio-vascular system
Rapid heart rate, irregular heat rate, palpitations, increased or decreased blood pressure, decreased blood flow to the
brain, cold hands and feet.
Digestive System
Increased gastric secretion, gastric irritation, ulcers, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and anal itching.
Immune system
Decreased immune function, decreased thymus gland size, decreased levels of circulating antibodies.
Urinary tract
Kidney and bladder irritation, diuresis, increased frequency of urination, burning on urination.
Secretory glands
Increased sweating, fibrocystic breast changes.
Metabolic
Increased blood lipids, increased or decreased blood sugar levels, pancreatic cancer, depletion of minerals and water
soluble vitamins and dehydration.
Reproductive
Caffeine is known to cross the placenta, the safety of caffeine exposure before birth is still unknown. Caffeine is passed
unchanged through breast milk and is known to contribute to nervous irritability of nursing infants, as well as the above-
listed symptoms.
Withdrawal
After discontinuing caffeine consumption, opposite (secondary) effects. as well as headaches may result for a short while
until the body re-equilibrates.
COMMON SOURCES OF CAFFEINE
Beverages Serving Size Caffeine (mg)
coffee, drip 8 oz 175-245
coffee, perk (and espresso) 8 oz 95-200
coffee, instant 8 oz 65-170
coffee, decaffeinated 8 oz 3-8
tea, 5-minute steep 8 oz 65-160
tea, 3-minute steep 8 oz 30-80
hot cocoa 8 oz 3-16
caffeinated soft drinks 12 oz 35-55+
coffee, drip 8 oz 175-245
coffee, perk (and espresso) 8 oz 95-200
coffee, instant 8 oz 65-170
coffee, decaffeinated 8 oz 3-8
tea, 5-minute steep 8 oz 65-160
tea, 3-minute steep 8 oz 30-80
hot cocoa 8 oz 3-16
caffeinated soft drinks 12 oz 35-55+
Note
Other sources of caffeine are Yerba mate, Guarana leaves, Yon pon and Kola nut. These ingredients are in many herbal
energy and weight loss formulas, so it is important to read labels. Green tea, while it has about 35 mg per serving, has
many healthful benefits, including large amounts of protective bioflavanoids. “Decaf” products can vary dramatically in the
amount of caffeine, from almost the full amount to less than half. There are many marketing ploys out there with respect to’
decaf ’, so beware. (Decaf just means “maybe-less-caf”)
Other sources of caffeine are Yerba mate, Guarana leaves, Yon pon and Kola nut. These ingredients are in many herbal
energy and weight loss formulas, so it is important to read labels. Green tea, while it has about 35 mg per serving, has
many healthful benefits, including large amounts of protective bioflavanoids. “Decaf” products can vary dramatically in the
amount of caffeine, from almost the full amount to less than half. There are many marketing ploys out there with respect to’
decaf ’, so beware. (Decaf just means “maybe-less-caf”)
Foods Serving Size Caffeine (mg)
milk chocolate 1 oz 1-15
bittersweet chocolate 1 oz 5-35
chocolate cake 1 slice 20-50
Over-the-Counter Drugs Dosage Caffeine (mg)
Anacin, Empirin, Midol 2 65
Excedrin 2 130
NoDoz 2 200
Aqua-Ban (diuretic) 2 200
Dexatrim (weight control aid) 1 200
milk chocolate 1 oz 1-15
bittersweet chocolate 1 oz 5-35
chocolate cake 1 slice 20-50
Over-the-Counter Drugs Dosage Caffeine (mg)
Anacin, Empirin, Midol 2 65
Excedrin 2 130
NoDoz 2 200
Aqua-Ban (diuretic) 2 200
Dexatrim (weight control aid) 1 200