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Subscribe to RSSTwenty brands of dietary supplements touted as so-called natural weight loss aids have been found to contain a prescription drug pulled from the market for safety concerns, the Food and Drug Administration warned today.
Products marketed under names like “A-Slim 100% Natural Slimming Capsules,” “P57 Hoodia,” “PhentaBurn Slimming Capsules,” and “Dream Body Slimming Capsules,” were found to contain sibutramine. That's actually the medication more commonly known under the brand name Meridia -- a prescription weight-loss drug that was removed from the U.S. market last October because it was linked to heart attacks and stroke.
According to the FDA warning, “the product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. This product may also interact in life-threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking."
Click here for a full list of products listed in the FDA warnings.
The FDA cautioned consumers taking these supplements to immediately stop and to throw away any unused pills. People experiencing symptoms like the ones described in the warning should contact their doctors, the FDA warned.
The new warning comes as no surprise to Dan Hurley, author of “Natural Causes: Death, Lies and Politics in America's Vitamin and Herbal Supplement Industry.”
“Unfortunately this is not the first time that pharmaceuticals have been found in so-called dietary supplements,” Hurley said. “These kinds of announcements come from the FDA on a semi-regular basis.”
Marketers know that Americans are partial to products that sound like they’re all natural, Hurley said. “They claim that you can lose weight naturally just by taking a pill – a natural supplement that has no harmful effects,” he added. “There exists no such thing.”
The good news is that the FDA spotted the problem and put out the alert, Hurley said.
“Sometimes we need a sheriff in town to make sure the laws get obeyed,” he added. “I’m very glad to hear that the FDA made this announcement.”
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Isn't the FDA supposed to prevent this type of thing from happening? Why didn't they catch this last October when they removed the drug in the first place?
The FDA doesn't regulate supplements. These products are considered supplements. So when a supplement contains or is tainted with a drug, it has to be brought to the attention of the FDA - when this happens, they issue a warning.
This is why I hate it when they advertise crap as NATURAL. Natural doesn't mean safe. It doesn't mean anything. Poison Ivy is natural. So are plenty of toxins found in the environment.
So yeah, when you see a commercial that says something is 'all natural', thats just a nice word to make you want to buy the product
@phillyfan-2830508, your expectations are unrealistic. They ban something, but that does not mean they have the resources to check up on every company selling every supplement. Things take time to come to the surface, and then they act.
I don't think my expectations are unrealistic. I think the fact it took a year to find this out is a shame. And if supplements are not regulated by the FDA, supplements that contain a drug that is regulated by the FDA, why are they now issuing warnings? Because someone brought it to their attention? BS, they should know, its their job. If that's unrealistic than I am sorry but when it has to do with the safety of the people, the expectations should have no limits.
What I don't understand is why all of these drugs are banned by the FDA because they can lead to heart attack or stroke but other ones get the pass. I know I have heard "may cause heart attack, stroke, suicidal feelings, and several other things with all the drug advertisements I have seen on the television but those are a ok for some reason and I would like to know why.
OK phillyfan, we'll grow our government to try to police the thousands of supplements out there. Your expectations are in fact unrealistic.
The makers are not going to rat themselves out. The FDA has to wait for someone to say something. Unless of course you want a police state where only the government is allowed to dispense any and everything to make you have a false sense of security.
There are always limits when it costs money to do things.
Philly, first, they are not a criminal investigative organization. Also, no governmental organization can deal 100% with the volume of service demanded by the sheer volume of people we have. For example, you probably have heard that only 2% of the shipping containers, which arrive in the U.S. are actually checked by U.S. Customs. They are not lazy, but overwhelmed by volume.
You have unrealistic expectations, but feel free to donate your entire yearly salary to beef up enforcement.
There's a very old saying. When prosecuting, you never have enough resources to follow all leads. That truth extends to regulations. Truly safe food and drug would have agents all over every factory observing every process. This would also be indistinguishable from a police state and cost a $%@#load.
Wow so the according to the popular vote the fda can be trusted to make sure our food and or meds are safe....but not the supplements we can buy at walgreens. But wait every year theres a class action lawsuit against another faulty drug (which usually just changes its name and 1 additive and is put back on the market) and a whole slew of contaminated food from various places. Its not a hard fix and wouldnt amount to a police state as some of the crazies state on here. Hell it might make a few few jobs for some of the current generation that can't seem to graduate high school. Not sure what the FDAs budget is but i'm pretty sure chaecking a few extra supplements wouldnt break them if they werent paying 200k a year to people that dont really work.
The house and senate are currently struggling over the FDA budget.
Here's the real reason that the FDA can't do anything about supplements.
Back when they were considering regulating herbals, supplements, and vitamins, the lobby for this industry greased some palms, and the law exempted them from any sort of control or inspection. The FDA cannot legally even take a bottle of this stuff and have it analysed. The reason they can issue this warning is, I suspect, due to the fact that an FDA regulated drug was found in it.
What that means is, when you buy any of these products, including vitamins, there is no guarantee that they are what they say they are. They could contain none, some, all of what they claim, or other things not listed, and could even contain, such as this case, dangerous chemicals.
I was all into this herbal thing until I learned the truth about the industry. Just be aware, they aren't regulated by anything. Basically, they are a "libertarian" industry.
Libertarian Industry? Gawd, some people! It's Repugs that have put a stranglehold over our country who insist on less regulation, promote the pipe dream that industries will and can regulate themselves even though things like this prove they won't, and insist that we need LESS government in our lives, and it will be okay, even though its not. It's Repugs that seek to bow to the will of lobbyists fighting for those goals. So quit sticking the word "liberals" to everything you want to blame things on. Its right in your own home court!
Message to the overweight: stop putting more stuff in your mouth (like these unregulated supplements) and start putting less stuff in your mouth (like food).
The Government is a business. Funneling billions of dollars into it and hiring hundreds of new employees is never the way to fix a broken company. You send in experts to identify where the failures, waist and inefficiency are happening and you fix it, make it work. I dont believe in growing government or creating a police state. I believe in finding out where the problems are and fixing them without spending billions or growing government. This goes for every arm of the government, not just the FDA.
You cant just say oh well this is the way it is. Cant do anything about it without creating a police state or growing government. Well you can say that, but that way of thinking is what has gotten us to where we are today.
@BobB
Its not that it COULD cause its how likely. 1% chance, it gets through, 30% chance it doesn't
@Grum in NM
You are a foolish person if that is truely how you feel. You know nothing about the situation and you should probably not comment on things that you know nothing about unless you are asking for clarification.
Berenerd, I am thin.
Phillyfan - you are 100% correct that the FDA needs to be streamlined and made more efficient. You are 100% correct that supplements and vitamins should fall under their jurisdiction.
However, the majority of America does not see what us rational, logical people see. The majority of America wants MORE bloated FDA, more regulation, more wasteful spending. They want MORE natural supplements, more vitamins, and less FDA regulated drugs and medicines. They don't care that a bottle of vitamins costs $21.99 but they cry when their insurance copay is over $10. They have had the wool pulled over their eyes by clever marketing experts, whose only job is to trick people into buying product.
Bernerd I would disagree with your simple assumption. Take a look at Paxil and the may cause birth defects. 60% of the women who used Paxil while pregnant ended up with birth defects in their children. The drug is still legal. I really think it has to do with how much money the companies pay to have their drug "cleared" by the FDA.
How many of THESE products are made in China?
The FDA should be shut down altogether. Just another organization that is being fed and paid off by big pharmaceutical companies. They only do consumers harm in todays world removing products that work only to be replaced with more harmful ones. Not only do you have to pay for help with doctor visits, but also big time through drug companies. Just another bunch of thieves in government.
Seriously? Did you even read the article? The FDA just stepped in and saved lives!! You'd rather just take the chance and trust that everything you consume is safe and in no way is modified by the hundreds of slimy supplement vendors? You, sir, are an IDIOT!!
M-#'s,
if we remove the FDA just how many more dangerous products do you expect not to flood the markets? Even with the FDA, late night infomercials are basically able to peddle cyanide in pill form without any oversight.
Again Government is not the problem, the corruption, and its source is. Take away Big Pharma's ability to lobby the FDA in any way shape or form and your problem is solved.
Wow m-612920 do you actually have a brain in your head or do you normally spout idiotic comments like that? You need to put the stupid pills down and quit reading random conspiracy crap on the web.
Chris from Yucaipa said, "....... quit reading random conspiracy crap ......."
PERFECTLY said. The >>Everything-Is-A-Conspiracy-Especially-If-It-Involves-Big-Government-And-Big-Brother-And-Big-Religion-And-Big-Oil-And-Big-Drug-And-Big-Military-And- ....... All-Them-Other-Big-Thangs<< quack-crowd has gone from somewhat amusing to hugely irritating since the dawn of personal computers in 98.5% of every U.S. household.
They simply can not resist the allure & ease of inventing, repeating, and/or reawakening those incredibly dramatic & very exposing (supposedly anyway) deep, dark secrets & uncovered coverups concerning every single large and/or powerful and/or rich and/or secretive entity in the known universe. And of course those of us who typically use our spare time to pursue truth & facts, rather than fallacies & fantasy, are always and automatically "one of them", "paid disinformers", "brainwashed sheeple", or some other favorite type of the dozens of labels immediately used to discredit every word we say which isn't in absolute agreement with the CON-Theorists. That type of very simple, very quick, & universally used method is a great excuse for not having to debate the REAL story with those who disagree with YOUR version of it ..... and a near-perfect method also, at least in the eyes of ONE side of the discussion. If you've exposed the other guy as being somehow connected or having personal interests with the offending entity (ex. the FDA in this instance), then of course that guy is most definitely being manipulated into lying & trying to hide all of that super-secret-stuff which you are courageously uncovering for benefit to the poor dumb masses.
Happens all the time EVERY time eventually within these type of nice and juicy discussions about a potentially sensitive subject. I'm NOT afraid to admit when I perhaps don't know enough about something to issue a definitive. So following is one example of that. What I've outlined above most certainly happens frequently & en-masse, as can be seen with just a quick glance at most any randomly chosen discussion involving one of the entities mentioned earlier .... (govt. organizations, drug companies, oil industries, etc.) These guys are ALWAYS doing SOME type of secret conspiracy, even if they really aren't & a CON-Theory was just invented for some excitement. The exacts & specifics are of course unknown to every person in the world except the highly experienced & supremely knowledgeable undercover CON-Theorist Investigator (i.e. Inventor) & Exposer. And naturally, as detailed above, anyone who disagrees (Employee, Stock-Holder, Official Spokesperson, etc.) is actually in on the whole deal, lying his/her a@@ off (or has been brainwashed), and trying desperately to keep the cover on the cover-up.
The subject of much of this discussion is the FDA, one of those big & definitely very evil entities, literally stinking of thousands, if not millions, of highly dangerous, but very profitable Cover-Ups & CON-Theories. EVERYBODY knows that .... right? Well, at least every of the CON-Theory Exposers. So somewhere right now this very minute in this discussion is 1 or more of these enlightened true understanders, protecting the poor dumb masses by exposing all the deep dark secrets of the FDA which they have uncovered (invented) during their exhaustive 15-week investigation. (15 minutes copy & pasting at the CONS-Is-Us Dot CON site).
And very near the entries made about these secret unknowns is 1 or more persons with REAL knowledge concerning those "secrets" (employee, etc.), who is sharing said info. And very near THAT post is the CON-Theorist again, explaining to everyone how this jerk is trying to keep the cover-up covered, having been paid off by the evil entity (FD.....well, you figure out who that evil entity is)
And so, that brings us full circle. The first part of this wrap-up is how I mentioned that I'm NOT afraid to admit when I perhaps don't know the entirety behind some certain issue ..... something which the CON-Theorists won't, & CAN'T admit, even when confronted by those who obviously have VASTLY more knowledge of said entity & situation. Admitting that his CON-Theory could be wrong would completely unravel all of the crap .....err, I meant all of the facts which he has so carefully invented or C&P'd.
And the second part of the wrap-up is where I noted how this type of conspiracy crap .....err, I meant this type of exposing cover-ups had become so very common on the net that it's became hugely irritating, rather than somewhat amusing. The relative anonymity of the net enables you, for the most part, to constantly post complete BS & never have to answer for it when someone more knowledgeable proves you wrong. (Owns Your A@@) All you have to do is change your username & then pretend you've never heard of that embecile who posted that stupid junk last week.
That very thing happens ALOT, and is usually immediately obvious when the "new guy" starts posting the same junk that the "other guy" was preaching about. They NEVER change & they NEVER learn. So when I see this type thing starting to occur, which happened within the very first dozen or so posts ..... crap about how the FDA should be preventing something which they don't even have the authority to regulate -- and something about how the FDA should be completely shut down for not doing the job which it so obviously DOES do ..... then I can already see plain as day exactly where this discussion was headed. Right where they ALL head when the CON-Theory-Quacks find it ..... right down the toilet as far as intelligent & meaningful discussion is concerned.
So because of me having grown tired of discussions trashed with that type of irritating, endless, ignorant drivel, I just stopped reading right there. That leaves me in the position of admitting that I'm not POSITIVE that my prediction about this type crap littering the rest of the thread is entirely true or not. But like I said, it doesn't bother me to admit wrong. So if those first 2 or 3 posts are actually the ONLY ones in the entire discussion, then my guess or prediction most definitely IS wrong.
But I bet I'm right. I'm not gonna waste time on it, but scan through this whole thread if you're curious. Even though there were very quickly several people more knowledgeable jumped in with the CORRECT info about the FDA .... betcha that still didn't stop the FDA-Con-Theory-Kiddies. Bet that CORRECT info never even fazed them. Bet they just kept on b!tch!ng, whining, & making things up as they went. ALWAYS happens ... ALWAYS will. Kinda hilarious ain't it, even if just hugely irritating trash.
I don't think I could have said it any better than that David. It was actually a pleasure reading your comment.
Good post, David.
M-#######: What a typical, unthoughtout, libertarian comment.
Oh, just to be clear, though, the FDA has been caught in some embarrassing cases of conflict of interest that I remember, primarily during the previous administration. I haven't heard anything since the new administration took office to make me think they were anything but undermanned and underfunded.
As for the drug companies, well, they do tend to repackage similar drugs or combinations as the new wonder drug, and spend a mint advertising it. My thought is that the doctor should perscribe the drug, the patient shouldn't ask for the drug because of a spiffy commercial they saw on TV. Banning these (usually 60 to 90 second) commercials, like they did with hard liquor and cigarettes wouldn't cost me any sleep, and might reduce the price of drugs, but I sort of doubt it. They would probably use the difference to hire more reps to sell the drugs to doctors.
I went to church with a drug rep from Merc for many years. It ate at him, he said, the things they told him to tell doctors that drug x would do. He finally quit, and his health actually improved.
Just my experience.
As for the FDA, they need more people and better funding, preferably not directly from the drug companies. Maybe the drug companies can pay into an anonymous account that pays the FDA, just so there is no preferential treatment.
It may just be ironic fate that just to the right of this pane is another one telling me to buy Lipitor, because my colesterol must be high, and if I don't take it, my heart will stop. Blah. When my doctor tells me so.
Hey now everyone, take it easy on m-612920. They were taking "Smart Pills" but the supplement wasn't able to be monitored, regulated or acted upon, not even tested due to legal restraints upon the FDA. They were actually "Stupid Pills" just relabeled after being taken off the shelves.
The sad truth is the majority of Americans echo m's sentiments. They are just in a blind rage and it's popular to be anti-pharma. Never mind that this has NOTHING to do with the regulated pharma industry. Never mind this has NOTHING to do with going to a doctor or obtaining a prescription. Never mind that the FDA already pulled this API off the shelves and some "natural" supplement company decided to use it anyway. No, why look at facts when it's so easy to jump on the anti-whatever bandwagon!
So who is going to go jail or prison for this.
My BAD this is a white collar crime.
WHERE THE F IS THE DEA?
Oh they are too busy locking black men up for trying to feed their families selling the original drugs.
AMERICA THE LAND OF OZ!!!!!!
F - THIS COUNTRY AND ALL OF THE BAD PEOPLE IN IT AND THE PEOPLE WHO CO-SIGN THEIR BAD ACTIONS!!!!!
They probably didn't discover it last year because most "supplements" do NOT have to be approved by the FDA!
Read before you consume products! And just because something says "natural" does NOT mean that it is safe! Read, learn, research before consuming these products.
Arsenic is "natural", do you want to take it?
For those curious about what absent regulations would look like. This is it. Only the tainted drug would not have been discovered, nobody would have the authority to step in and issue a warning/pull it off the market, and people would get hurt.
Another natural product is the botulism toxin, where a dose small enough to fit on the head of a pin is enough to kill thousands of people. It is the deadliest poison known to man, more deadly than ricin or cyanide. And you can get it from improperly canned vegetables. Yikes!
No supplements are regulated by the FDA, by law. None. Zero. Right down to the Flintstone vitamins you give your kids. Take that stuff at your own risk; studies by independant firms have found all sorts of stuff in these products, especially the ones that come from India. Usually, they just contain less that what is supposed to be there if there is a difference, but some contain more; a few contain a lot more. Many are inconsistant, batch by batch. No regulation is a little scary, considering what we've seen in unregulated Chinese business. How about some deadly baby formula?
Anyway, just understand that when you buy a supplement, you are just taking their word for what's in there.
Well, before the hysteria goes too far, you might want to ask yourselves a simple question: how many people are seriously injured or killed each year from unregulated supplements as compared to how many from regulated drugs that the FDA deems safe?
I don't watch TV very often, but when I do during the day, the commercials are 2/3 FDA-regulated drugs and 1/3 class action suits for FDA-regulated drugs.
seriouslynow, that's not the point you should be concerned with. Just because a supplement won't harm you, doesn't mean you should rush out and buy it. The supplement industry has gone unchecked reaching $28billion for selling you a sugar pill and telling you it will cure your cancer. No it won't kill you, but no it won't do anything for your malady either. You're in such a tizzy over FDA approved medications, but fail to realize that no medicine is safe and effective for 100% of the population (we all have different genes, different cultures, different values) and that "FDA approved" means safety and efficacy has been evaluated in thousands of clinical trial participants.
Yes, Beer, I'm in a "tizzy" about the corrupt FDA serving Big Pharma by fear-mongering.
You seem eager to dismiss me by using words like tizzy and making belittling assumptions about how I think and what I fail to realize, but I notice you didn't actually address my point, which was that non-regulated supplements have an excellent track record compared to FDA-approved drugs.
Just keep taking your government-approved meds, Beer, while I keep taking my carefully-chosen supplements. And I'll decide for myself which points I "should be concerned with," thank you.
Because supplements are not regulated...they don't have to be approved before sale (like Pharmaceuticals do).
I think laws governing corporations should be changed to make the boards of directors and the ceo personally responsible for their corporations actions. In this case if anyone died they should be charged with murder in the first degree.
That sounds just, after all Corporations are people too right? That means they should be held accountable for their actions.
We've all heard that corporations are people. I personally think that the decision to use the the 14th amendment to re-define them as people, was one of the biggest mistakes that this country ever made. What I haven't heard is whether they can be defined as American citizens. Just because you are a person, it doesn't mean you are a citizen. If a corporation has all of their assets in another country in order to evade paying taxes, are they a citizen of that country or the U.S.? We know Illegal aliens are people, but they don't have the same rights as citizens.
Corporations have been treated as people in legal entity only in the past. The purpose was to limit the liability of the founders so that if the company went bust, creditors couldn't bankrupt the founders. It was good for business. Corporations are still treated as partial people, not all rights are extended to them. A corporation cannot vote, for example. (YET). I do agree that saying corporate persons deserve free speech is a stretch and God help us all if a court decides that as people, corporations get their 2nd amendment rights.
"God help us all if a court decides that as people, corporations get their 2nd amendment rights"
Lol, Microsoft would have tons of nukes aimed at Apple HQ and vice versa if that was allowed. :D
lol
I think you have to get a special permit to have nukes, even under the second amendment...
yeah but they certainly have the cash to buy any politician who stood in the way... sad but true. :<
From the names in the FDA website list, it sounds like most if not all of these products originate from China. I would beware of taking ANY nutritional or dietary supplement that is manufactured in China.
Makes you wonder where they got the discontinued drugs, eh?
You want to loose weight? Eat some fruit and veggies (wash them first), and get some exercise. Weight loss "Miracle Pills" have always been a scam, and quite often are dangerous.
Noting funnier than seeing a fat person drinking a diet coke while eating a big mac.
Nope, Fen-Phen worked just great! Right up to the point you dropped dead from heart failure.
For a truly epic weight loss, take pain pills daily and cocaine at night. Worked great for me. I started at 310 pounds and got down to a nice slim 174 about the time I ran out of money and was having daily nose bleeds. Who knows how low I could have gotten if I had more cash. I know I could have easily nailed another 6 feet under....
Except that they actually are working on a weightloss pill. A real one, with, hopefully no gimicks. Has to do with the enzymes or hormones that make you retain weight, I think. I'd have to do a search. It was in the news for a while, and the health-nuts were just incensed.
"What? You should have to work for weight loss, like us!"
"Um, why, you just take this pill and..."
"NNOOOOO!! IT'S AGAINST GOD AND NATURE!"
"I just wan't to lose ten pounds, you see, I work in front of this computer, and..."
"I REBUKE YOU SATAN!"
Or something like that. I hope it works. Obesty, whether you work for it or not, causes a huge healthcare hit, not to mention it can make you just, you know, die.
Most of these products are imported from China or India and our illustrious FDA can't keep up with the volume, they check less than 2%. American packagers are not labeling their product ingredients as imported/required. You seldom hear of anyone prosecuted, so they get away with it.
The FDA does not regulate or inspect suppliments, no matter where they come from, by law.
Tainted my ass! They are being laced with the stuff. The English language I know would mean if "tainted", says that something got in there by accident. No accident here! It's stuff like this happening, that will spoil it for all of us that use legit over the counter herbal preps. The FDA has been looking for a good reason to take away our over the counter vitamins, herbal preps and such, right along with marijuana. It wouldn't surprise me if the big pharma people had this done, in order to make that happen, or push all this over the edge. This will be interesting to watch.
Yes everything is a conspiracy and everyone is out to get you...you need some pills.
Um, chuck? How much... Never mind. Where is any source for this plot by the FDA?
I don't want the FDA to 'regulate'nutritional supplements. Regulated and tainted pharmaceuticals are HUGE business and those products are already heavily watched by the FDA and missed with alleged security steps in place. Multi-million dollar settlements are created to avoid criminal charges. Government regulation increases useless layers of costly bureaucracy that once started is almost impossible to stop. This example doesn't mean the entire industry uses fake or tainted junk. There are many useful alternative nutritional supplement options that help me manage my own health in areas I don't need to discuss with a doctor first. If you don't want to do that, you don't have to do that, but the nutritional supplement industry gives choices that are becoming more and more industry self-regulated with standardizations. The problem isn't unique to this industry. Greed is big business as financial stakes increase. Make examples of the people who take the easy decision to taint a product or to not test regularly something purchased from China or other countries who don't have our best interests at heart. It's easy to cheat to make money. So far, it's been difficult to find honor and integrity in business at those levels in anything and that includes in the decision making ability of the FDA.
So, since the FDA labs don't check these substances, it's ok with you if you get discarded, dangerous drugs in you supplements? Or how about if you buy your vitamin B, and it turns out to be compressed Alfalfa with yellow dye added?
Self-regulated industry is what got Chinese babies poison instead of formula, and killed pets from liver damage here in America. I have to disagree with you. Industry cannot and should not be allowed to "self-regulate" any more then an alcoholic should "self-regulate."
It never ends up with a happy story.
The so called "supplements" are not considered drugs, They are food supplements. As such they don't have to meet the criteria of safe, pure and effective.
It is important to keep this in mind when buying these products. IMHO they fall into two categories:
1. Expensive ineffective concoctions that really don't do much more than waste your money.
2. Powerful drugs that actually do something and may harm you.
In either case it pays to be cautious. There are many herbs that are useful. It is worth your while to research them, grow your own or buy from a legitimate domestic source.
Grow your own is a good idea. I know that in one report I'd seen, India was a major source of bad supplements. We know what China pumps out. Exempting these potentially deadly substances under the law was practically criminal, but every time someone introduces legislation to regulate them, a huge whining fest comes from the supplement industry, and congress backs off. I used to take these things, but stopped when I found out they were completely unregulated. It's like buying a bottle of something off a medicine show cart. Shoe polish.
supplements are not regulated -- buyer beware! by the way, don't expect to lose weight by taking a "pill" or "drink" etc. instead talk to your dr. and try cutting down on what you eat, cut the sugar, fat, sodium -- eat healthy and try moving -- a good exercise program --
there is no "magic" cure for being fat....
there is no "magic" cure - yet.
They are, and have been, working on one for a few years now.
Eat lots of veggies and lean protien and limit the carbs. This works.
It's not more costly than most people's current groceries. If people eat a lot of processed foods, this will probably save them money.
There's also less chance that you will be consuming banned ingredients.
Who buys this hokey s#$t??
People thinking they can lose weight by not changing their diet while sitting on their ass. Or people looking to gain size in certain areas. Or any number of people with insecurities that are preyed upon.
The numbers would suprise you.
You know what?
These products must work. They take everything off the market if it works. Fifty million people can take it and be okay, but 3 people die, and their death is "linked" - whatever that means - to the product. So tired of this pattern...yawn...
Methamphetamines work for weight loss, too, but I think I'd rather people be fat than psychotic...
nothing like a tweaker...freak'n...
You lose weight, your teeth, and your mind.
FDA has attempted to get authorization to regulate the vitamin industry but it has been blocked every time by Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah. Guess what state is home for most in the vitamin industry?
Yeah. Bastard. I hope he takes the wrong one of his states herbal supplements one day.
Oh how fun. Big Pharma aka the Big Lie at it once again. " The good news is the FDA spotted the problem" Ha what a joke. The FDA couldnt spot the sun or moon on a clear day or night. They continue to be part of the problem and not part of the solution.
Above, it's not "big pharma" - its "au naturel" supplements that are not regulated by anyone. They have tons of commercials and at the bottom it says "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA" - meaning they are trying to sell junk pills to desperate people. As for the FDA, they saved me from taking Thalidomide when all my Canadian friends were taking it - they had babies with horrible defects & I will always be grateful the FDA banned Thalidimide in the US. It didn't make them popular but it saved a lot of mothers and babies from heartache.
It's not even that it is a natural supplement. It is that the manufacturer adulterated a natural supplement and it just so happened to be a drug that, while effective, has a nasty habit of making its users experience lethal conditions. Natural or not, this is fraud at best and attempted man slaughter at worst.
#17, The FDA did exactly what it has the authority to do. If you believe it is ineffective, ask your representatives to add supplements to their regulating authority. Companies have been skirting around this for years now and it is getting out of control. Smiling Bob stands out in my mind.
I'd like to know why the FDA wants these products removed (and they should be removed), but not drugs like Actos that have caused people to get cancer, death, and heart problems. They seem very inconsistent in what they allow and don't allow.
I understand what you are saying. First.....after allowing this drug into the marketplace......Merida was only pulled after the masses began experiencing these dangerous side effects. Isn't that why it takes approx. 10 years to get a drug to the marketplace....to avoid this?
But I have to give the FDA credit. In the totally unregulated field of dietary and weight loss supplements, they took action as soon as this drug was discovered in these supplements.
It often comes down to risk/benefit. Chemotherepy is an array of drugs designed to kill a cancer just before it kills the patient. They cause the most amazing side effects, including, but not limited to, neuropathy, braindamage, organ damage, hair loss, sickness, loss of taste, loss of appetite, even death. Why would anyone approve this? Because the alternative is certain death.
A well informed doctor and patient can decide if the risks outweigh, in the patients mind, the benefit. If not, they take it.
Some things turn out to be more dangerous then other drugs that do the same thing. These usually are the ones that get pulled.
Others have side effects that are eventually determined to outweigh any good (this is where they stick pot), so they are pulled
Finally, some have very late developing side effects, and have to be pulled long after the damage is done.
This is usually done professionally, although there was a period during the Bush administration when a lot of stuff that shouldn't have got through did. The blame went to the person he selected to head the agency.
I don't understand why people take these so called "diet" pills in the first place. I assume it's the creative marketing that influences them. Learning how to eat HEALTHY foods EVERYDAY and EXERCISING is the simple answer. Protein (chicken, fish, beans, etc.), vegetables, whole-grains and fruit are a few good examples of healthy eating. If you want the occasional dessert, go for it!. "Going "ON" a diet never works. CHANGING your diet for life does. EXERCISE!!! You don't need to be a full-fledged athlete, just get outside for a brisk walk everyday and/or join an exercise class, whatever it takes to get you up and moving. I know this can be very difficult for a lot of people, but if you want to lose weight and become more fit, then discipline yourself into doing it. Eat right and get moving! Enjoy!
Creative marketing. How many lighters do you own? Just wondering. We seem to have about 8 long lighters floating around. Checkouts can just be wonderland for compulsive buyers. Lighers get my attention, for some reason, so I just seem to pick them up. Stupid, right? Next to those lighters, theres always a dispay of "5 hour energy." Very energetic looking in its orange and black, and energetic people in the background. I don't get those, but I could see how someone would, without even thinking. And, you know what? They are unregulated. Gasoline could be in there for all I know. But people chug them down and hope for the best.
What a crazy country.
Actually, the FDA is PROHIBITED from regulating dietary supplements as a drug. See the section on regulation here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_supplement
And see this on how the natural supplement lobby reacts to any attempts to be regulated...
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_4803.cfm
So don't blame the FDA. Instead call your congress(wo)man.
Molly....... You don't understand why people take these diet pills in the first place? Obviously you've never been fat. Or sick, seriously sick, so that you couldn't go for a brisk walk or join an excercize class. Eating healthy foods isn't a "simple" answer. If it were "simple", everyone would be slim and trim and healthy. And they're not, are they. Stop looking at your pretty little vapid face in the mirror, and try to have empathy for the problems of others.
Patience, I've heard a drug that may actually cause weight loss without exercise is still in trials. Some people think it's cheating. I say, if it works, without stimulants, it's a god-send. I hope the do their due diligence, and hurry the hell up.
no arrests...no closing the businesses...no responsibility from the drug dealer......what a country
What country did they come from? Do we have jurisdiction there?
I care and DO have empathy for others. Just trying to be helpful, that's all.
Lemme guess... Made In China.
I have an idea that would never go through our illustrious politicians as they're on the take from Pharmaceuticals. I say when a harmful product is put out by them and placed in our food, we simply kill them! That would solve this problem...