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Dangerous weight loss products for sale online with no health warnings

By on 25 August, 2021 in Weight Loss
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Posted 25 August 2021

Which? finds substances that can cause heart problems being sold on eBay, Wish and AliExpress

Denis Campbell Health policy editor, The Guardian

Wed 25 Aug 2021

“Dangerous” weight loss products containing substances that can induce a stroke or heart attack are being sold on websites such as eBay without any health warnings, an investigation has found.

The consumer group Which? found dozens of products on sale online containing plant extracts that can make users agitated or aggressive and increase their heart rate and blood pressure.

They all contained either yohimbine or synephrine, substances that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said have “considerable potential to cause harm if used without medical supervision or advice”.

Which? bought nine such products, which are used by some people seeking to lose weight, bodybuilders and gym-goers, through the online marketplaces eBay, Wish and AliExpress. Of those, two … Read the rest

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Evidence lacking for “alternative” weight-loss therapies

By on 7 July, 2021 in Evaluating evidence, Other
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Posted 07 July 2021

A systematic review of published research evaluating the efficacy of dietary supplements and “alternative therapies” for weight loss among people at least 18 years of age has found that supportive evidence is weak. Many clinical trials were also hampered by a significant risk of bias due to inconsistent testing methods. Problems with studies include small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and poor study designs.
Reference: Batsis JA. A systematic review of dietary supplements and alternative therapies for weight loss. Obesity, June 23, 2021

Key findings included:

  • Out of 315 randomized controlled trials included in the review, 52 were classified as having a low risk of bias, of which 16 demonstrated significant weight changes for tested therapies compared to placebo.
  • No high-quality evidence supported acupuncture, calcium-vitamin D supplementation, chocolate/cocoa, phenylpropanolamine, guar gum, Phaseolus vulgaris, pyruvate, and mind-body interventions as weight-loss
… Read the rest
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Evidence for claims in weight-loss ads is slimmer than you’ll be

By on 5 July, 2021 in Herbex
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Posted 05 July 2021

Was Pinterest right to ban advertising for diet products on its platform?

Wendy Knowler TimesLive 04 July 2021

Pinterest has banned all weight loss ads on its platform, as part of its policy not to support body shaming advertising.

It will no longer allow ads containing testimonials about losing weight, references to body mass indexes, or those that “idealise or denigrate” certain body types.

The company is the first major tech platform to prohibit weight loss ads.

Apparently the US National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) advised Pinterest on the policy change.

“NEDA is encouraged by this necessary step in prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of Pinners, especially those affected by diet culture, body shaming and eating disorders,” said Elizabeth Thompson, interim CEO for the association, in the release.

“We are hopeful this global policy will encourage other organisations and companies to reflect on potentially harmful

… Read the rest
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Herbal and diet supplements ‘have no effect on weight loss’

By on 10 May, 2021 in Herbex
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10 May 2021

Visitors of CamCheck will be aware of my claim that Herbex is a useless product for weight-loss and my evidence for making this claim.

I have shown how Herbex uses ingredients that has not been shown to be effective for weight-loss, using them at miniscule dosages in their products. Recently Herbex has released Herbex UltraSlim, a product that has higher dosages but still no proof that the product works.

This systematic review, presented at a recent obesity congress, concludes that “Herbal and diet supplements ‘have no effect on weight loss'”.

Herbex claims that their mix of herbs does. I would rather believe evidence, of which they have zero.

Herbal and diet supplements ‘have no effect on weight loss’

Popular aids sold by £29bn industry don’t cut obesity, says Australian study

Robin McKie Sun 9 May 2021 07.15 BST

The Guardian

There is insufficient evidence to justify recommending … Read the rest

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Evidence for weight loss herbal supplements branded ‘insufficient’

By on 20 February, 2020 in Weight Loss
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Posted 20 February 2020

A global review of herbal supplements for weight loss has concluded that although statistical differences have been observed there is ‘insufficient evidence’ to recommend any current herbal weight loss treatments…

Read further at NutraIngredients

The above article is based on the research article below:

Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

First published:27 January 2020
https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.13973
Peer Review The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1111/dom.13973.

Abstract

AIM:

To update the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of complementary medicines to assist in weight loss by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of herbal medicines for weight loss.

METHODS:

Four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL and

… Read the rest
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Science or Snake Oil: do skinny teas boost weight loss?

By on 18 December, 2017 in Green tea
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Posted 18 December 2017

From The Conversation:

Weight loss teas are becoming common, with advertisements claiming dramatic results often appearing online. Do the big promises match the results, or do they only match the price tag?

A search of the medical research database pubmed found there are no studies specifically on the use of “slimming teas” for weight loss, but there are studies on green and black tea.

One review of five research trials compared changes in body weight in more than 300 adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They gave people either green tea, a fermented tea called Puehr or tea extracts and compared the weight change to people who were given either placebo (non-active) tea extracts or no tea at all.

Continue reading at The Conversation

… Read the rest
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New research shows desperate dieters in danger – the secret world of online slimming pills

By on 14 December, 2017 in Weight Loss
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Posted 14 December 2017

From: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Published: 30 November 2017

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-research-shows-desperate-dieters-in-danger-the-secret-world-of-online-slimming-pills

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is working in partnership with Slimming World as part of the Agency’s wider #FakeMeds Campaign to encourage those wanting to lose weight to turn to safe, legitimate and appropriate routes.

Online sellers of potentially dangerous slimming pills containing withdrawn pharmaceutical ingredients are putting desperate dieters’ health at serious risk by seducing them with the promise of quick-fix weight loss and discreet deliveries that bypass discussions with their GP and pharmacist, new research reveals.

One in three slimmers have tried slimming pills purchased online, according to the joint #FakeMeds survey of 1,805 slimmers by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Slimming World. Since April 2013, the Agency has seized nearly £4 million worth of dodgy weight loss pills.

… Read the rest
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One-third of UK dieters have used slimming pills bought online – report

By on 30 November, 2017 in Weight Loss
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Posted 30 November 2017

UK medicines regulator warns that many of the websites are unregulated and sell fake diet pills containing banned ingredients

One-third of people trying to lose weight have tried potentially dangerous slimming pills bought online, a government survey has found.

One in three participants had taken substances bought through websites, according to the poll of 1,805 people released by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Slimming World.

The UK government medicines regulator said many of the websites are unregulated and the diet pills are often fake and contain ingredients that have been banned because of their harmful side-effects.

“Slimming tablets can seem like a quick-fix solution to weight problems, but some of them contain very dangerous ingredients,” said the senior MHRA policy manager Lynda Scammell. “It’s essential you know what you’re buying online and what the risks are. If you don’t, your weight could … Read the rest

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Wondernut (Indian Walnut) – Toxic weight-loss product

By on 3 October, 2017 in MCC (Medicines Control Council), Wondernut
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Posted 03 October 2017

This press-release today from the Medicines Control Council, warns that a weight-loss product containing Indian Walnut, it toxic and can harm consumers.

The product is sold at www.wondernut.co.za and www.wondernutjoburg.co.za

[note note_color=”#fcfbfb”]Most of our postings are about Wondernut. However, the same nut is being sold on other websites and Facebook under different names: Zemiente (zemiente.com); Nuez de la India (nuezdelaindia.co.za); Indian Walnuts (indianwalnutsa.co.za); Leynate (indianwalnutsa.co.za); Magic Nut (magicnut.co.za); and others.[/note]

[note note_color=”#fdfba8″]I have searched everywhere for credible evidence that this product will result in weight-loss. I cannot find a single source to confirm the claims, even in traditional sources.  Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (“Unbiased, Scientific Clinical Information on Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Therapies”) does not mention its use for weight loss, but “is used [traditionally] for asthma, bloody diarrhea, dysentery, sprue, and as a bowel stimulant“. For safety, it states, among … Read the rest

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

By on 10 September, 2017 in DNP
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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
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