DEAR DR. BLONZ: Weight loss products typically promise wonderful things and many offer free trials, although the “shipping and handling” are there to recover costs. I have replayed some of the ads and detected “squiggle” words that didn’t really promise anything -- only saying what might occur to some people. Who is in charge of what can be said in these advertisements? -- M.Q. Scottsdale, Arizona

DEAR M.Q.: We are affected not only by what is said, but in the way a concept is communicated. Certain words or phrases function as qualifiers. Think of it as the difference between saying “A causes B” and “A may cause B.” The responsibility falls on the listener (or reader) to interpret what’s going on. When strung together with skill, these types of statements can bring forth an aura of belief that appears as solid as truth.

This is the bread and butter of advertising, law and science, as well as politics. One gets to speak of possibilities without addressing probabilities. That seed of potential is planted, a clever context provided, and the listener is lured into the land of certainty. Those with such skills find work in sales, politics and public relations.

Examples of “squiggle” words and phrases include: may, could, might, has been known to, possibly, chance, potentially, conceivably, plausible, seem to, we believe, in my opinion, and feasible. All of these communicate some level of likelihood without citing objective evidence.

In my experience, I have seen dubious claims associated with substances and devices. But just because a product or method is unproven does not mean it’s false; it only signifies that it has not been tested. The key is what follows: An objective scientist will test the concept, while those of a lesser stripe go directly to the public to make money, making use of “squiggle words” to state their case. The consuming public gets caught in the middle, being forced to play the game of “Who do you trust?”

It is an unfortunate fact of human nature that when we want something to be true (or false), and we hear information that supports that desire, we tend to let down our guard and welcome the information. I always encourage consumers to be alert and informed. In my experience, people tend to have more knowledge and be more critical when they go to purchase an automobile or major appliance than when it comes to matters that relate to their health. It certainly doesn’t have to be that way.

As individuals choosing commercial products, we are the ultimate decision makers. But luckily, there are agencies that act on our behalf and help us make informed decisions. On the national level, we have the Federal Trade Commission (tinyurl.com/jn2f74h), and on the state level, we have our attorneys general, who are charged with overseeing misleading advertising claims in the media and on product labels and websites. Private attorneys bring cases to represent classes of individuals victimized by questionable promotional claims.

As effective as these consumer protection efforts can be, the overflow of dubious advertisements in our newspapers, online, on the air, and flooding into our email accounts means we are forced to serve as the ultimate protectors of our best interests.

Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I know smoking is bad for me, but feel that my addiction will continue to get the best of me. Coughing is a concern, as is dry skin. Are there any foods that might be of assistance? -- D.S., Chicago

DEAR D.S.: Cigarette smoke is nasty stuff that affects all parts of the body. On the outside, smoke enables a dramatic, premature aging of the skin. On the inside, even more goes wrong.

Our lungs normally secrete mucus to entrap dust and other inhaled particles. A healthy lung shuttles this material out through a series of cilia, or hairs. But tobacco smoke causes a breakdown in this self-cleaning system. Mucus then collects in the lungs, resulting in that hacking “smoker’s cough.” Smoking is also a leading cause of emphysema, a condition where the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs become damaged, resulting in shortness of breath and labored breathing.

Foods are an important consideration, given that smoke is a carcinogen and an oxidizing agent. A well-nourished body should have a daily supply of antioxidant nutrients from whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and grains. They each do different things, but together they produce a powerful synergy. Don’t rely on dietary supplements; a focus on whole foods is the ticket. And while foods can help, they cannot make us invincible. Long-term exposure to a cancer risk factor, such as tobacco, is going to take its toll, regardless of what foods we eat. But your body will work to make things better, starting immediately after your last cigarette. Here’s what you can expect:

Twenty minutes after your last smoke, your blood pressure and pulse rate both drop, and the temperature of your hands and feet increases.

After eight hours, the level of carbon monoxide in your blood has dropped, and the oxygen level in your blood is returning to normal.

After 24 hours, there has been a decrease in the chance of a heart attack.

After 48 hours, the nerve endings have started to regrow, and you will experience an increased ability to taste and smell.

After 72 hours, the bronchial tubes will relax, and there will be an increase in lung capacity.

From two weeks to three months, there will be improvements in your circulation, and your lungs will function approximately 30 percent more effectively.

From one to nine months after quitting, the hairlike cilia in your lungs will have regrown, increasing your ability to clear normal mucus and unwanted substances from the lungs. There will be decreases in coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath. Your overall energy level will likely have increased.

After a year, the high risk for heart attack associated with smoking will be cut in half.

After five years, the risk of dying of lung cancer will have decreased by almost one-half.

After 10 years, your risk of dying of lung cancer will be about the same as a nonsmoker.

From five to 15 years, the risk of stroke will have decreased to that of a nonsmoker, and the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat or esophagus will have been reduced to half that of a current smoker.

Fifteen years after that last cigarette, your risk of lung cancer, risk of heart disease and life expectancy are no longer significantly different from an individual who had never smoked.

If you have an ulcer, by quitting smoking you will reduce recurrence and improve healing. If you have diabetes, quitting smoking slows the type of small blood vessel damage associated with eye and kidney disease and amputation. If you have Type 1 diabetes, quitting can decrease your need for insulin.

Other benefits: You won’t have to constantly interrupt your life to go outside and smoke. You’ll smell better, get fewer colds and respiratory infections and save lots of money. Others won’t have to breathe your smoke. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll be setting a life-affirming example for yourself, your children and the rest of your family and friends.

Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I know that activated charcoal is the main ingredient in the water filter cartridge I use, but I have seen this same substance sold as a dietary supplement that can act as a blood purifier. Is this possible? -- C.C. Berkeley, California

DEAR C.C.: Activated charcoal is a specially treated and purified form of charcoal. It is a very fine powder, giving it a large surface area. Fine, powdered charcoal is an adsorbent (note the “d”), which means it has an ability to attract and hold on to substances on its surface. Contrast that with an absorbent substance (note the “b”), where liquids are soaked up as if by a sponge. This adsorbency makes activated charcoal useful for water filters, because it attracts and holds heavy metals and unwanted minerals and odors.

Regarding the second part of your question, activated charcoal is often given after an accidental ingestion of poison. Its adsorbent qualities help grab the poison, limiting its negative effects on the digestive tract and preventing the poison from reaching the bloodstream. (According to a statement from the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, activated charcoal is most likely to produce these benefits if administered within one hour of poison ingestion.)

Given that the activated charcoal itself is not absorbed into the body, it is unclear how it could work as a “blood purifier.” It could prevent a toxin from being absorbed, if used appropriately, but there is no evidence that it could act to purify toxins already in the blood. Also, it’s not wise to consume activated charcoal on a regular basis, especially around mealtime, as it can grab and prevent the absorption of essential nutrients.

DEAR DR BLONZ: I learned in school that the riboflavin in milk is destroyed by light. If that is true, why is milk allowed to be sold in clear containers? Am I wasting my money by paying more for it in opaque containers? -- S.T., Richmond, Virginia

DEAR S.T.: A “waste of money” assessment is a bit of a judgment call, but here are some of the things to consider. Milk is a perishable food, and exposure to light (whether natural or bright fluorescents) can destroy a percentage of certain nutrients. These include riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamins C and B6. Light can also encourage the development of “off” flavors. Assuming proper storage temperatures are maintained, the duration and intensity of light exposure determines how many of these nutrients will be destroyed. Always check the date on the carton to be sure it’s within the designated period.

All things being equal, opaque containers, such as paper cartons, are best for preventing the type of nutrient destruction you mention. Glass provides the important element of recyclability, although many areas of the country also recycle plastic and cardboard cartons. Then there is the point that glass is heavier and more fragile, which will increase transportation costs. But whether plastic, glass or paper, the jug, bottle or carton will still contain a healthful food.

Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.