PART I OF III -FDA ALERT ON DANGERS OF TAINTED WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS

Nearly 30 weight loss products sold over the internet and in retail stores are tainted with undeclared, active pharmaceuticals or chemicals, the FDA warned. All consumers should be familiar with the following signs of health fraud:
• Promises of an "easy" fix for problems like excess weight, hair loss, or impotency.
• Claims such as "scientific breakthrough," "miraculous cure," "secret ingredient," and "ancient remedy."
• Impressive-sounding terms, such as "hunger stimulation point" and "thermogenesis" for a weight loss product.
• Claims that the product is safe because it is "natural."
• Undocumented case histories or personal testimonials by consumers or doctors claiming amazing results.
• Promises of no-risk, money-back guarantees.
An FDA analysis found the following undeclared ingredients:
• phenytoin;
• sibutramine, an antiobesity drug that can cause hypertension, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, heart attack, or stroke;
• rimonabant, an antiobesity drug not approved for use in the U.S.;
• phenolphthalein, a possible cancer-causing agent used in chemical experiments.

HOW IS THIS FRAUD BEING PEPERTRATED?
Regulatory requirements for dietary supplements differ from those covering "conventional" foods and drug products (prescription and Over-the-Counter). Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its products are safe before they are marketed. Generally, manufacturers do not need to register their products with FDA nor get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements. Manufacturers must make sure that product label information is truthful and not misleading.

The FDA has expanded its list of tainted weight loss products containing undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients. Herbal Xenicol (found to contain cetilistat, an obesity drug not approved in the U.S.) along with Slimbionic and Xsvelten (both containing sibutramine, a prescription-only weight loss drug) have been added to the list of tainted dietary supplements. There are now 72 products on the list.The FDA also identified the following undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients as appearing in some other products on the list:
• fenproporex, an amphetamine derivative that can cause arrhythmia;
• fluoxetine, an antidepressant;
• furosemide, a prescription-only diuretic.

The agency advises consumers to discontinue use of these supplements and then to consult their healthcare provider.
In part II we will discuss the FDA laboratory tests which have revealed the presence of sibutramine, fenproporex, fluoxetine, bumetanide, furosemide, phenytoin, rimonabant, cetilistat, and phenolphthalein in weight loss products being sold over-the-counter. We will list the tainted products in alphabetical order along with the undeclared drug and/or chemical ingredient Nd how they can make you sicker.


Please remember, as with all our articles we provide information, not medical advice.
For any treatment of your own medical condition you must visit your local doctor, with or without our article[s]. These articles are not to be taken as individual medical advice.

* Tune in tomorrow for PART II OF III -FDA ALERT ON DANGERS OF TAINTED WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS.

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