Categories

Consumer Watch: Killer gym supplements (DNP (2,4-Dinitrophenol)) widely available in SA

Posted 30 September 2020

By Georgina Crouth  Sep 28, 2020

IOL

Cape Town – Marketed as a miracle weight-loss supplement targeting the bodybuilding community, the illegal drug DNP (2,4-Dinitrophenol) is widely available on the black market and doctors are warning that users often pay for their rapid weight loss with their lives.

It’s illegal and potentially lethal, yet unscrupulous sellers are promoting it as a “miracle fat burner”. DNP is said to accelerate the basal metabolic rate, thereby raising the internal body temperature, which can lead to rapid weight loss.

DNP is an industrial chemical, first used during World War I by the French in explosives production. It’s been used as a pesticide, a wood preserver and even a dye.

In 1933, scientists from Stanford University discovered the compound had some fat-shredding properties. It was then marketed as a miracle over-the-counter weight loss drug until reports of adverse effects such

… Read the rest
September 30th, 2020 | Tags: , , | Category: DNP | Leave a comment

The dangers of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP)

Posted 18 September 2020

DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) is an industrial chemical used in making explosives, but sold with the claim that it is an effective fat burning drug. In South Africa, dinitrophenol is listed in Schedule 4, so is a prescription-only substance. Is that sufficient to prevent unauthorised access, as described in this Guardian story. And why is https://www.anabolics-sa.co.za/product/dnp/ flagrantly selling this product, in spite of bizarrely warning: “beyond dangerous is almost an understatement.’

‘Knowing it could kill you isn’t a deterrent’: the deadly trade in diet pills

DNP is an industrial chemical used in making explosives. If swallowed, it can cause a horrible death – and yet it is still being aggressively marketed to vulnerable people online.

By Susan McKay The Guardian

Published on Tue 21 Jul 2020 06.00 BST

On 11 April 2015, Ella Parry stood beside her small pink car, outside her council flat in Shrewsbury, watching the … Read the rest

September 18th, 2020 | Tags: , | Category: DNP | Leave a comment

Fat burning supplements: doctors warned to look out for toxicity after six deaths

Posted 09 July 2019

By Elisabeth Mahase

BMJ 2019; 365 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l2251 (Published 17 May 2019)

The UK has seen a sharp rise in cases of toxicity from 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP)-an industrial chemical often marketed as a fat burning or weight loss supplement-with 20 recorded cases and six related deaths in 2018, the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) has said.1

Although DNP is labelled “unfit for human consumption,” it is still available and sold to people attempting to change their appearance, such as body builders and those trying to rapidly lose weight.

The spike in cases has prompted Public Health England to send a national warning to all healthcare professionals, telling them to “remain vigilant” for cases of DNP poisoning, and advise any patients suspected of consuming the toxic chemical to “discontinue use immediately.”

The notice, which was sent out to NHS trusts, GP practices, and community pharmacies, outlined … Read the rest

July 9th, 2019 | Tags: , | Category: DNP | Leave a comment

Dutch authorities issue new safety warning on toxic bodybuilding supplements

Posted 24 November 2017

The increasing availability of 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) on the grey market in the Netherlands has prompted the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) to issue a warning against the substance.

“The packages were deliberately mislabelled as harmless food ingredients, such as chocolate powder, in an attempt to mislead customs. Research into the delivery addresses suggested that the DNP was intended for incorporation into food supplements with the final outlet being for use in gyms.”

Continue reading at NutraIngredients

… Read the rest
November 24th, 2017 | Tags: | Category: DNP | Leave a comment

Supplements seized: UK and Dutch authorities capture DNP and steroid supplements

Posted 10 September 2016

Food safety agencies in the UK have seized large quantities of DNP following a multi-agency effort, while Dutch authorities captured anabolic-androgenic steroids intended for use in sports nutrition supplements.

Despite being illegal for human consumption, the 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP), remains on sale online and in some gyms. Commonly used as a diet aid, DNP has severe side effects and has been responsible for eight deaths in the UK since 2015.

Due to it’s alleged fat burning properties, however, the drug is still commonly sold online and at gyms, in the forms of capsules or powder.

“DNP can and does kill. We are relentless in pursuing those seeking to profit from the illegal sale of this toxic substances for human consumption,” said Heather Hancock, FSA chairman.

Read the full article at NutraIngredients.com

… Read the rest
September 10th, 2017 | Tags: , , | Category: DNP | Leave a comment