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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

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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

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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.

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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

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.

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 other: “. . . seeds … 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

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In the UK Herbex removes its claims; in SA, Herbex takes the ASA to court

By on 29 January, 2017 in ASA (SA) Rulings, ASA (UK) Rulings, Herbex
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Posted o4 January 2017

In June 2016, a complaint was lodged with the UK Advertising Standards Authority against website claims being made by Herbex in the UK. The claims were that Herbex is a herbal drink that “boosts metabolism, increases energy and controls appetite”. It is likely that, as in South Africa, the UK ASA was provided with evidence based on the botanical substances (ingredients) contained in the product. Herbex then agreed (after negotiation?) to withdraw the claims. This has now been done. The complaint is listed on the UK ASA’s website under “informally resolved cases” at: https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications.aspx?date=04/01/2017#2 (scroll down to Herbex (PTY) Ltd). The list is prefaced with the following statement: “After consideration by the [UK] ASA of complaints received, the following companies and organisations agreed to amend or withdraw advertising without the need for a formal ruling.”

In South Africa, Herbex was ruled against by the Final Appeal … Read the rest

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Dangerous diet pills not the answer to New Year’s resolutions

By on 4 January, 2016 in Weight Loss
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Posted 04 January 2016

This media release of the UK  Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), dated 31 December 2015, warns anyone looking to lose weight in the New Year to be aware of the dangers of buying diet pills online.

The press release continues:

During 2015 MHRA enforcement officers seized more than 240,000 doses of pills claiming to be for weight loss/slimming.

A number of the products seized were marketed as ‘all herbal’ or natural when, in fact, they were found to contain the synthetic medicine sibutramine. Sibutramine was withdrawn across Europe and the US in 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes associated with its use.

Since 2005, MHRA officials have found hundreds of examples of medicines claiming to contain herbal ingredients but after analysis were found to be adulterated with pharmaceutical ingredients.

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D-day for complementary weight loss medicines?

By on 15 November, 2015 in Alternative medicine, Complementary Medicines, MCC (Medicines Control Council), Weight Loss
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On 15 November 2013 the Minister of Health finally published Regulations to the Medicines Act (Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965), not for comment, but for implementation. They defined complementary medicines for the first time in South Africa. In addition the Regulations incrementally “called up” various complementary medicines over the following six years.

If a product that has been called up, and has not been registered, or an application for registration has not been received by the MCC, then according to the Medicines Act (Section 14(1)) it may no longer be sold.

The Regulations also created a new category of medicines – category D – which are complementary medicines “subdivided into such disciplines as may be determined by the Council after consultation with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa.”

This left “dietary supplements” out in the cold and the Health Products Association … Read the rest

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Why Is It So Difficult to Lose Weight?

By on 4 November, 2014 in Weight Loss
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Posted 04 November 2014
“Obesity is notoriously difficult to treat. Effective treatment has been encumbered by traditional assumptions about the cause of the disease. Obesity is typically considered a manifestation of the patient’s dietary misconduct, a simple lack of willpower, or the inability to modify dysfunctional eating habits. Abundant evidence suggests that eating behavior is much more complex than patient choice alone.
Eating and the system of regulating eating and body weight are largely controlled by complex signals from multiple organ systems that monitor food intake, gastrointestinal function, and energy storage and send multiple messages to the brain. The brain coordinates the physiological messages and creates additional signals about eating, appetite, hunger, and satiety.
Multiple survival, environmental, and genetic factors become part of a biological regulatory system that controls eating and body weight. The system appears to be unstable and often becomes dysfunctional, particularly in an environment of abundant food
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