Phony Weight Loss Product BagmenPrey On Hopes, Fears Of Obese

One of the things I am most concerned about on my weight loss journey is the quality of the food and supplements that I am using. I am engaged in daily research on matters relating to my own health. Know how to read your labels.

The American Obesity Assn. cautions dieters to avoid some supplements that are touted for weight control: "Whenever there is a disease or condition that many people will pay good money to relieve, there will be someone trying to turn a quick buck. In obesity, there are too many products or services that have been found to be harmful or are under current investigation."

AOA lists the following as Products of Concern:

Aristolochic Acid has been associated with permanent kidney damage, sometimes resulting in kidney failure that has required kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation. In addition, some patients have developed certain types of cancers, most often occurring in the urinary tract.

Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is found in some herbal products sold for weight control. . Ephedra is a controversial product. It may produce weight loss, but issues of appropriate dosage, effect of other stimulants and safety issues cloud this substance. It has been reported to cause nausea, dizziness, headache, skin rash, nervousness, moodiness, depression, heartracing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, blurred vision, addiction, disorientation, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, chest pains, heart palpitations, and death.

Herbal weight loss tea / "Dieter's Tea," sometimes labeled as a natural bowel cleanser because of their laxative qualities, are often marketed as a weight loss product. The use of products with a laxative effect for weight control is ineffective and potentially dangerous for people on severely restricted diets.

Tiratricol: The FDA has forced the recall of products marketed as dietary supplements for weight loss that contain tiratricol, also known as triiodothyroacetic acid or TRIAC, a potent thyroid hormone that may cause serious health consequences including heart attacks and strokes.

Read what some holistic physicians have to say.