Consumer Advocates Say “Miracle Weight Loss” Products are Generally Scams
It’s a multi-billion dollar industry, with celebrity endorsements across the board. The promise—you’ll lose large amounts of weight in a short period of time with little or no effort. The reality—they most likely won’t result in any significant permanent weight loss, but they can lead to long-term health problems.
The FDA spends a lot of time, money and energy examining the multitude of “miracle” weight loss products, including dietary supplements. In a recent report, agency officials said that many of the products either contained substances that are known to be hazardous to humans, or that simply have not been adequately tested.
Dangerous Substances Found
According to FDA officials, a popular ingredient in many diet or weight loss supplements is sibutramine. Sibutramine was an active component in Meridia, a drug approved by the FDA but then recalled because of its connection to increased exposure to heart related problems, as well as strokes.
Among the other health-threatening substances often found in dietary supplements are:
- Triamterene, a known diuretic (a product that promotes the production of urine) that the FDA has indicated should only be used under close supervision from a licensed health care professional
- Fluoxetine, well-known as the active ingredient in Prozac
FDA officials emphasize that, though they will investigate claims related to dietary supplements, there is no requirement that a manufacturer obtain FDA approval before marketing a product. Accordingly, until a consumer reports problems with a product, there is no way for a consumer to know if it’s safe. And the risks are also there with so-called “natural products,” such as bee pollen. FDA investigations have found hidden ingredients in many of these “holistic” products.
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