Hazardous Levels of Selenium in Dietary Supplements of "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula"

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have announced that there has been a hazardous level of selenium and chromium in samples of the dietary supplement products called "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula." Both of these supplements have been found to have hazardous levels of selenium up to 200 times the label value and chromium up to 17 times the label value.

The FDA is advising consumers using any one of these products of "Total Body Formula" in certain flavors of Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor to immediately stop using it and they are advised to discard these products in an outside trash receptacle.

Adverse reactions have been reported as of April 11, 2008 in several different states including Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. There have been additional exposures in other states as well. These can be looked up at www.fda.gov as more cases may be starting to surface throughout the U.S.

Selenium is a natural occurring mineral and is only needed in small amounts for good health. It can boost the immune system and for the most part a normal consumption of food and water will provide the adequate amounts needed in the body to promote good health.

However, too much intake of selenium is known to cause significant hair loss, muscle cramping, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, blistering of the skin and loss of finger nails and too much intake of chromium is known to cause kidney failure, elevated liver enzymes, chest pain, dizziness, headache, rashes and agitation.

It is recommended that anyone that presents with two or more of any symptoms and has occurred within two weeks of using this product be seen and evaluated by their health care provider immediately. If anyone has any questions or concerns using these products they should also contact the FDA or a health care provider that may further provide more information.

According to the company and distributer of "Total Body Formula' and "Total Body Mega Formula," these products have been distributed nationwide and they have voluntary recalled the affected products.

Further information on these products can be obtained via the FDA website at www.fda.gov.