10 Dangerous Diet Pill Ingredients and Why to Avoid Them

With diet pill use on the rise, diet pill safety is a huge concern. Korey Stringer, an offensive linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, died in 2001 from a heatstroke, which was later believed to be caused by ephedra, a popular diet supplement ingredient. Three years later another athlete, pitcher Steve Belcher, also died from complications connected to a diet supplement ingredient, spurring an immediate ban of ephedra in 2004.

With additional deaths piling up from other diet pill ingredients not yet banned by the FDA, taking the initiative in protecting your health is vitally important.

Could your diet pill contain dangerous ingredients, such as bitter orange, yohimbe or comfrey? Let's find out.

10 Dangerous Diet Pill Ingredients to Avoid

Ephedra: It is sometimes found in foreign diet supplements, especially those imported from Europe or Brazil. Ephedra is known to cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, stroke, heart attack or sudden death.

Bitter Orange: It was used as a substitute for ephedra after it was banned in 2004; many diet pills use it as a substitute for ephedra. Like ephedra, it has been associated with irregular heart beat and seizures. It was also shown in case studies to cause ischemic colitis, a medical condition that constricts blood flow to the large intestine, causing inflammation or injury.

Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Acid (GHB): Found in some bodybuilding supplements, GHB is better known as a date rape drug. Natural health companies claim it increases lean muscle mass. It is associated with a number of side effects, including vomiting, seizures, breathing problems and even death.

Germander: It is commonly used in "all-natural" diet supplements to increase weight loss, but evidence is lacking. Germander is linked to irreversible liver abnormalities, which may cause liver failure.

Yohimbe: Many diet supplement companies claim it causes thermogenesis, which may cause weight loss. There is no evidence to support this. According to the Ladies' Home Journal, yohimbe is known to cause irregular heartbeat, changes in blood pressure and even a heart attack.

Heartleaf: Diet supplement companies promote it as an all-natural Ayurvedic herb, but actually contains ephedra, which is currently banned in the United States. Like ephedra, heartleaf can also cause irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack or sudden death.

Comfrey: Also known as blackwort or slippery root, some diet companies claim it causes weight loss. It has been associated with liver toxicity, which may lead to liver failure.

Chromium (or chromium picolinate): A common "thermogenic" ingredient, chromium is linked to renal failure (rare) and neurotransmitter interference. Laboratory studies also show it causes DNA damage in animals.

Guar gum: Marketed as an appetite suppressant, guar gum may cause esophageal or gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, which may lead to death.

Guarana: Many diet companies market it as a safer, less stimulant version of caffeine. It causes irregular heartbeat, angina, and may trigger seizures.

If you find any of these 10 dangerous diet pill ingredients listed on the bottle of your favorite diet supplement, throw it out. It could cause problems immediately or build up over time, which may cause even more serious side effects. Remember, losing weight isn't worth having a heart attack about. There are many other effective ways to lose weight without putting your life on the line.

Sources:
Tricia O'Brien, "12 Dangerous Dietary Supplements" (LHJ.com; accessed 1/29/10)